ESM4714
Scientific Visual Data Analysis and Multimedia

Assignment #6:
Gradients of Functions with Three Independent Variables

Due: One week from the date it was assigned

Multidimensional thinking implemented by the "Cognitive Visual Data Compression Method" can be used by designers to understand complex relationships embedded within a multi-parameter data set.

Part I (90pts):
Visualize a Scalar Function of Three Independent Variables

GIVEN: Nothing. You're on our own. From your own experience select a function that is dependent on three or more independent parameters. Remember from the example given in the notebook: "Three Visual Methods: Gradients, Function Extraction, and Glyphs" the gradient was of a nonlinear chaotic function where the independent parameters were not necessarily coordinate space (x,y,z). Try to choose a complex function that can benefit from this method and that could also help you or other students understand a complex "abstract" mathematical concept such as a nonlinear chaotic function.

CONSTRUCT: a SDS_HDF file of this function and save it as your-last-name _sds.hdf so that it can be loaded into PV-Wave, SpyGlass Dicer, AVS, or NCSA's XDataSlice and I can scan it with any of these visual tools. Include a description of your function, why you choose this particular function, and what new insights, if any, resulted from this method (new insights are not a necessary part of your grade, but I do expect you to try). Comment on how you would include more than three parameters in your function, e.g. visualize pressure as a function of coordinate space and time: (x,y,z,t). Is there an upper limit to the number of independent variables that you can visualize?

Part II (10pts):
Post your results on the homework account

Logon to username: homework, password: to be handed out in class. Create a directory with your lastname: (~homework/assign#6/lastname).

Put a copy of any C, FORTRAN and PV-Wave procedure files, lastname .pro, in your lastname directory. Also put a copy of a text file lastname .txt with your comments on homework assignment#6. Print a copy of your files and also hand these copies in at class on the due date.

Your grade will be based on your observations conclusions and how well your file works when I look at it. Your grade will not be based on your programming skills although brevity, clarity, and meaningful comment statements will be appreciated when I review your files.

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Ronald D. Kriz
College of Engineering
Virginia Tech
Revised 01/10/99

http://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/ESM4714/Assign/assign5.html