Process Visualization with Levels of Detail

In this paper we demonstrate how we apply information vi-sualization techniques to process monitoring. Virtual in-struments are enhanced using history encoding – instru-ments are capable of displaying the current value and the value from the near past. Multi-instruments are capable of displaying several data sources simultaneously. Lev-els 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 instru-ments 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 de-tail without loosing the context information