Visualization of the Invisible (Editorial)

Abstract

Visualizing geographical phenomena often involve communication of information and relationships through a map in either 2D or 3D. In many cases, the information conveyed through the map is a simplified and symbolic depiction of phenomena that is visible in our physical environment. However, maps are also effective for the communication of geographical phenomena that are hidden or are by nature “invisible” for the human eye. As well as invisible factors in our present environment, tracks of occurrences and events from the past have often been lost for many years. In the same way, future situations have still not materialized. This issue covers all these situations. From historical landscapes and events in the past, cadastre and underground geology today and urban planning for the future. The use of traditional cartographic techniques as well as virtual reality are discussed. Several of the research projects involve user studies. The main objectives contributing papers are to make the “invisible” information accessible and more understandable for humans.

Virtual Reality as Tool for Bioprinting Quality Inspection: A Proof of Principle

“…Similarly, dynamic processes or the interaction of forces that were calculated in computed fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be accessed ( Solmaz and van Gerven, 2021 ). For the communication with the public, architects, historians and archaeologists visualize construction plans, research on sceneries from the past as well as reconstructions of destroyed cultural heritage objects ( Fried et al, 2020 ; Midtbø and Harrie, 2021 ).…”

“…An advantage of VR is, by adding transparency to a model of a complex structure, that surface properties and inner geometries or specifically marked locations can be inspected simultaneously. In contrast to traditional workflows based on a large number of 2D sections, VR allows scientists to get into touch with the holograms in a virtual room and mark 3D regions of interest intuitively ( Schindler et al, 2017 ; Midtbø and Harrie, 2021 ). The digital twins can be shared and virtually discussed by teams, whose members physically are at different locations.…”