Collaborative Research Center

SFB-TRR 161

Quantitative Methods for Visual Computing

We are living in a data society in which data is generated at amazing speed; individuals, companies, organizations, and governments are on the brink of being drawn into a massive deluge of data. The great challenge is to extract the relevant information from vast amounts of data and communicate it effectively.

Typical scenarios include decision and policy making for urban and environmental planning or understanding relationships and dependencies in complex networks, e.g., social networks or networks from the field of bioinformatics. These scenarios are not only of interest to specialized experts; in fact, there is a trend toward including the broad public, which requires the information to be presented in a reliable, faithful, and easy-to-understand fashion.

Visual computing can play a key role in extracting and presenting the relevant information.

In visual computing research the aspect of quantification is often neglected. The SFB-TRR 161 seeks to close this gap.

The long-term goal is to strengthen the research field by establishing the paradigm of quantitative science in visual computing.

About the SFB-TRR 161

News

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SFB-TRR 161 Events

Feb 10th, 2025, 4 pm - 6 pm

University of Stuttgart

Lecture | De-cluttering Scatterplots with Integral Images

Held by:

Dr. Vladimir Molchanov, Münster University

Abstract:

Scatterplots provide a visual representation of bivariate data (or 2D embeddings of multivariate data) that allows for effective analyses of data dependencies, clusters, trends, and outliers. Unfortunately, classical scatterplots suffer from scalability issues, since growing data sizes eventually lead to overplotting and visual clutter on a screen with a fixed resolution, which hinders the data analysis process. We propose an algorithm that compensates for irregular sample distributions by a smooth transformation of the scatterplot's visual domain. Our algorithm evaluates the scatterplot's density distribution to compute a regularization mapping based on integral images of the rasterized density function. The mapping preserves the samples' neighborhood relations. Few regularization iterations suffice to achieve a nearly uniform sample distribution that efficiently uses the available screen space. We propose approaches to visually convey the transformation that was applied to the scatterplot. We further propose a generalization of our regularization scheme using sector-based transformations with the aim of increasing sample uniformity of the resulting scatterplot. We document the improvement of our approach using various uniformity measures.

Bio:

Vladimir Molchanov received a PhD in Mathematics in 2008 from Jacobs University Bremen. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Linsen at the University of Münster. His research focuses on multidimensional data visualization, projection methods, and interactive data analysis.

Location:

University of Stuttgart, VISUS,  Room 00.012
The lecture will be transmitted to the University of Konstanz, Room: ZT 702

All doctoral researchers are asked to take part in the events of the lecture series.

TRR-members who are unable to attend on site can follow online via WebEx.

Meeting-ID (access code): 2734 125 8673
Meeting password: fW8jgyayh24 

For participants via WebEx: The transmission will kindly be managed by Patrick Gralka.  He will be on site and monitor/manage the WebEx-Session incl. Q&A during and after the talk as well. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch with Patrick in case of questions or problems regarding the transmission/your online participation: Patrick.Gralka@visus.uni-stuttgart.de

Feb 13th, 2025, 2 pm - 4 pm

University of Stuttgart

Talk | Building Effective Scales for Evaluating Subjective Experience in Data Visualization

Held by:

Petra Isenberg, Inria Saclay Centre at Université Paris-Saclay

Abstract:

A viewer's experience with a visual representation is shaped not only by the visualization itself but also by individual and situational factors. Measuring this subjective experience can complement other research methods, such as behavioral indicators, and help researchers build a more holistic view of their empirical findings. Psychological scales offer a practical approach for such measurements, but they must be developed and validated rigorously to ensure both accuracy and reliability. In this talk, we will introduce two newly developed measurement tools—BeauVis and PREVis that researchers can use to reliably assess aesthetic pleasure and perceived readability in data visualization. We will also provide practical guidance on how researchers can integrate these existing tools into their study designs, and discuss ongoing efforts to develop reliable scales for user experience with Visual Analytics systems.

Bio:

Petra Isenberg is a research director(DR) at the Inria Saclay Centre at Université Paris-Saclay, France in the Aviz team and part of the Computer Science Laboratory (LISN) of the University Paris-Saclay. Prior to joining Inria, she received her PhD from the University of Calgary in 2010 on collaborative information visualization. Petra also holds a Diplom-engineer degree in Computational Visualistics from the University of Magdeburg. Her main research areas are visualization and visual analytics with a focus on visualization for non-desktop devices, interaction, and evaluation. She is particularly interested in exploring how people can most effectively work together when analyzing large and complex data sets on novel display technology such as small touch-screens, wall displays, or tabletops. Petra is associate editor-in-chief at IEEE CG&A and the vice-chair of the IEEE VIS Steering Committee.

Location:

University of Stuttgart, VISUS,  Room 00.012

The talk is available via WebEx.

Meeting-ID (access code): 2789 201 5508
Meeting password: xFYZ6BNdm29

For participants via WebEx: The transmission will kindly be managed by Patrick Gralka.  He will be on site and monitor/manage the WebEx-Session incl. Q&A during and after the talk as well. Please don´t hesitate to get in touch with Patrick in case of questions or problems regarding the transmission/your online participation: Patrick.Gralka@visus.uni-stuttgart.de

Feb 20th, 2025, 12 pm until Feb 21st, 2025, 12 pm
University of Stuttgart, VDI Fortbildungszentrum Stuttgart

Hackathon DR4ET

Organized by:

Quynh Ngo, Yao Wang, Frederik Dennig

Abstract: tbd

Location:

VDI Fortbildungszentrum Stuttgart, Hamletstraße 11, 70563 Stuttgart

Apr 3rd, 2025, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

University of Stuttgart

Girls' Day Workshop: Hightech trifft Kreativität

In Kooperation mit dem Visualisierungsinstitut der Universität Stuttgart (VISUS) bietet der SFB-TRR 161 zum Girls' Day 2025 folgenden Workshop an:

Hightech trifft Kreativität: Dein Girls' Day in der virtuellen Welt

Du hast Interesse an modernster Technik? Bei uns kannst du erfahren, wie es ist, mit den neuesten Technologien für Virtuelle Realität zu arbeiten. Wir bieten einen Einblick in unsere spannenden Forschungsarbeiten und eine spielerische Einführung in die Programmierung an.

Neben coolen Demos von aktuellen Forschungsprojekten bis hin zu Fragerunden mit etablierten Forscherinnen ist bei uns ein volles Programm gegeben. Wir freuen uns auf dich!

Geeignet für Klasse 9 - 10

Zur Anmeldung

Apr 3rd, 2025, 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

University of Konstanz

Girls' Day Workshop: Zu Gast bei den Informatikern - Wir programmieren mit Processing

In Kooperation mit der Universität Konstanz bietet der SFB-TRR 161 zum Girls' Day 2025 folgenden Workshop an:

Zu Gast bei den Informatikern - Wir programmieren mit Processing

Handys, Autos und sogar Flugzeuge sind heute eigentlich leistungsfähige Computer. Computer funktionieren aber nur, wenn sie richtig programmiert sind. Die Entwicklung von Computerprogrammen ist eine der Hauptaufgaben von Informatikern.

Wir wollen euch zeigen, dass Programmieren Spaß macht, nicht schwierig sein muss und man schnell beeindruckende Ergebnisse erzielen kann. Ihr lernt, wie man mit der Programmiersprache Processing einfache Programme schreiben kann. Dabei schauen wir uns an, wie ein Computer die Aktionen des Nutzers verstehen kann und wie sich dadurch die Anzeige auf dem Bildschirm verändert. Wir erstellen Schritt für Schritt ein einfaches Geschicklichkeitsspiel, das Ihr dann nach Euren eigenen Vorstellungen weiterentwickeln könnt.

Programmierkenntnisse sind nicht erforderlich.

Das Angebot ist barrierefrei.

Geeignet für Klasse 9 - 10

Zur Anmeldung

May 26th - 28th, 2025, full days

Humboldt Haus, Aichberg bei Lindau am Bodensee

Doctoral Retreat of the SFB-TRR 161

Oct 6th - 7th, 2025, full days

HdbL Herrsching

Internal Status Seminar of the SFB-TRR 161

Past Events