Process Visualization with Levels of Detail

In this paper we demonstrate how we applied information visualization techniques to process monitoring. Virtual instruments are enhanced using history encoding – instruments are capable of displaying current value and the value from the near past. Multi-instruments are capable of displaying several data sources simultaneously. Levels of detail for virtual instruments are introduced where the screen area is inversely proportional to the information amount displayed. Furthermore the monitoring system is enhanced by using 3D anchoring – attachment of instruments to positions on a 3D model –, collision avoidance – a physically based spring model prevents instruments from overlapping –, and focus+context rendering – giving the user a possibility to examine particular instruments in detail without loosing the context information. Two applications were developed, a prototype application and a commercial process monitoring tool.