Chapter Seven
Space Perception
We live in a three-dimensional world (actually, four dimensions if time is included). In the short history of visualization research, most graphical display methods have required that data be plotted on sheets of paper, but computers have evolved to the point that this is no longer necessary. Now we can create the illusion of three-dimensional (3D) space behind the monitor screen, changing over time if we wish. The big question is why should we do this? There are clear advantages to conventional two-dimensional (2D) techniques, such as the bar chart and the scatterplot. The most powerful pattern-finding mechanisms of the brain work in 2D, not 3D. Designers already know how to draw diagrams and represent data effectively ...
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