Animated mapping

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Animated mapping is the application of animation, either a computer or video, to add a temporal component to a map displaying change in some dimension. Most commonly the change is shown over time, generally at a greatly changed scale (either much faster than real-time or much slower). An example would be the animation produced after the 2004 tsunami showing how the waves spread across the Indian Ocean.

Contents

Animation of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami 2004 Indonesia Tsunami 100px.gif
Animation of the 2004 Indonesian tsunami

History

The concept of animated maps began in the 1930s but did not become more developed by cartographers until the 1950s. [1] In 1959, Norman Thrower published Animated Cartography, discussing the use of animated maps in adding a new dimension that was difficult to express in static maps: time. These early maps were created by drawing "snap-shots" of static maps, putting a series of maps together to form a scene, and creating animation through photography tricks (Thrower 1959). Such early maps rarely had an associated scale, legends or oriented themselves to lines of longitude or latitude. [2]

With the development of computers in the 1960s and 1970s, animation programs were developed allowing the growth of animation in mapping. Waldo Tobler created one of the first computer-generated map animations, using a 3-D computer-generated map to portray population growth over a specified time in Detroit. [3] Hal Moellering created another animated map in 1976 representing a spatiotemporal pattern in traffic accidents. [1]

Further development in the animated maps was stalled until the 1990s due to a lack of animation in academics, financial restrictions on research, and lack of distribution means. [2] In the 1990s, however, the invention of faster, more efficient computers, compact discs, and the Internet solved such problems. Today, there are many free options for hosting animated maps online, including YouTube and GitHub. Internet GIS and web mapping both make extensive use of animated maps, particularly when showing time. Because of the nature of the internet, this may lead to the distribution of misinformation and contribute to the infodemic. [4] [5] [6]

Visual variables

With the growth of animated mapping came the development of guidelines for creating animated maps. Visual variables such as spacing, lightness, and shape used for static maps apply. However, in 1991, David DiBiase and colleagues developed visual variables unique to animated maps: duration, rate of change, and order. [7] Duration is the unit of time a frame or scene is displayed, affecting the smoothness of the animation. The shorter a frame is displayed, the smoother the animation will appear. [1] Smoothness of animation is also a function of the rate of change. [1] Order refers to the time sequence in which animation is played out, usually presented in chronological sequence. [1] Alan MacEachren extended these visual variables in 1995 to include display date (time at which change is initiated), frequency (number of times identifiable forms are displayed), and synchronization (correspondence of 2 or more time series). [1]

Types

Animated maps can emphasize the existence of an occurrence at a location, emphasize an attribute of an occurrence, or represent a change in the position or attributes of an occurrence. [7] For instance, a flashing symbol may be used to draw the map-reader's attention to a particular occurrence at one location or multiple locations across the map. Maps on the weather channel use animation to emphasize the current and predicted paths of hurricanes.

The use of the Internet has allowed animated maps to become interactive. The user can witness representations of changes over time, while manipulating the direction of view, the pace or the parameters of the map displayed. [8]

Animation on maps can be mainly divided into two types: temporal and non-temporal.

Temporal map animation

Temporal map animation shows the ongoing gradual changes over time. Temporal maps can also be termed animated timeline maps and can be a useful reference to examine the changes ongoing on each step and analyze the progression occurring gradually as time passes.

There are many purposes which temporal animation might serve to depict: displaying and analyzing geographic patterns, meteorological events, climate, natural disasters, and other multivariate data.

Animated mapping of history

Animated mapping is extensively used in the construction of animated maps to depict historical events in a cartographic environment, particularly in the subdiscipline of Historical geographic information system. These were one of the first applications of such maps, documented in Waldo Tobler's 1970 paper. [3] Today, such animations often show the land ownership/occupation of specific groups over time. [9] [10]

Importance of legend in temporal maps

As in the case of static maps, it would be useful if temporal maps could also be provided with proper legend. Legends for temporal maps should not only tell the time but also let users travel over time. Various manipulations such as traveling to a certain point in time, selecting focus level, etc. should be allowed to enhance user-friendliness.

Using legend in the temporal map will answer important questions related to the entity's existence (if?), the entity's location (when?), time intervals (how long?), temporal texture (how often), the speed at which change takes place (how fast?), and the order of change (what order?). [8]

Depending upon their construction, animated legends may distract the viewer from the animated map. Care must be taken to integrate the legend unobtrusively.

Non-temporal map animation

Non-temporal map animation shows changes against some other variables other than time. The variable might be a place, position, generalization level, etc. Non–temporal animation also serves when there is a need to show both the data set and the transformation that has been applied to it for its display.

Non-temporal animation can be of many types according to the purpose they serve:

Fly through animation
This type of animation gives the viewer the feeling of flying through the landscape.
Cartographic zoom animation
This type of animation shows maps at different focus levels and viewers can change the scale of the map as desired.
Classification animation
Different methods of data classification are depicted in this animation.
Generalization animation
This type of animation uses a single classification method with multiple classes of data.

Time is an important aspect in both animations. Real-time is depicted in temporal animation and presentation time (time to show the animation) is associated with non-temporal animation.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geographic information system</span> System to capture, manage and present geographic data

A geographic information system (GIS) consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data. Much of this often happens within a spatial database, however, this is not essential to meet the definition of a GIS. In a broader sense, one may consider such a system also to include human users and support staff, procedures and workflows, the body of knowledge of relevant concepts and methods, and institutional organizations.

A small multiple is a series of similar graphs or charts using the same scale and axes, allowing them to be easily compared. It uses multiple views to show different partitions of a dataset. The term was popularized by Edward Tufte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartogram</span> Map distorting size to show another value

A cartogram is a thematic map of a set of features, in which their geographic size is altered to be directly proportional to a selected ratio-level variable, such as travel time, population, or GNP. Geographic space itself is thus warped, sometimes extremely, in order to visualize the distribution of the variable. It is one of the most abstract types of map; in fact, some forms may more properly be called diagrams. They are primarily used to display emphasis and for analysis as nomographs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choropleth map</span> Type of data visualization for geographic regions

A choropleth map is a type of statistical thematic map that uses pseudocolor, meaning color corresponding with an aggregate summary of a geographic characteristic within spatial enumeration units, such as population density or per-capita income.

Geovisualization or geovisualisation, also known as cartographic visualization, refers to a set of tools and techniques supporting the analysis of geospatial data through the use of interactive visualization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dasymetric map</span> Hybrid type of thematic map

A dasymetric map is a type of thematic map that uses areal symbols to visualize a geographic field by refining a choropleth map with ancillary information about the distribution of the variable. The name refers to the fact that the most common variable mapped using this technique has generally been population density. The dasymetric map is a hybrid product combining the strengths and weaknesses of choropleth and isarithmic maps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thematic map</span> Type of map that visualizes data

A thematic map is a type of map that portrays the geographic pattern of a particular subject matter (theme) in a geographic area. This usually involves the use of map symbols to visualize selected properties of geographic features that are not naturally visible, such as temperature, language, or population. In this, they contrast with general reference maps, which focus on the location of a diverse set of physical features, such as rivers, roads, and buildings. Alternative names have been suggested for this class, such as special-subject or special-purpose maps, statistical maps, or distribution maps, but these have generally fallen out of common usage. Thematic mapping is closely allied with the field of Geovisualization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Web mapping</span> Process of using the maps delivered by geographic information systems (GIS) in World Wide Web

Web mapping or an online mapping is the process of using, creating, and distributing maps on the World Wide Web, usually through the use of Web geographic information systems. A web map or an online map is both served and consumed, thus, web mapping is more than just web cartography, it is a service where consumers may choose what the map will show.

MacChoro was a computer program for choropleth mapping developed for early versions of the Apple Macintosh computer. A choropleth map shades areas, such as states or counties, to represent values and is mainly used for the mapping of statistical data. Released in 1986, MacChoro was the first computer mapping program to implement Macintosh's point-and-click user interface for the analysis and production of thematic maps. MacChoro II, released in 1988, was the first program to incorporate interaction in animated mapping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography</span> Study of lands and inhabitants of Earth

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer cartography</span> Compiling data to create a visual image

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flow map</span> Thematic map visualizing linear flow

A flow map is a type of thematic map that uses linear symbols to represent movement. It may thus be considered a hybrid of a map and a flow diagram. The movement being mapped may be that of anything, including people, highway traffic, trade goods, water, ideas, telecommunications data, etc. The wide variety of moving material, and the variety of geographic networks through they move, has led to many different design strategies. Some cartographers have expanded this term to any thematic map of a linear network, while others restrict its use to maps that specifically show movement of some kind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dot distribution map</span> Thematic map using dots to visualize distribution

A dot distribution map is a type of thematic map that uses a point symbol to visualize the geographic distribution of a large number of related phenomena. Dot maps are a type of unit visualizations that rely on a visual scatter to show spatial patterns, especially variances in density. The dots may represent the actual locations of individual phenomena, or be randomly placed in aggregation districts to represent a number of individuals. Although these two procedures, and their underlying models, are very different, the general effect is the same.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Map symbol</span> Graphic depiction of a geographic phenomenon

A map symbol or cartographic symbol is a graphical device used to visually represent a real-world feature on a map, working in the same fashion as other forms of symbols. Map symbols may include point markers, lines, regions, continuous fields, or text; these can be designed visually in their shape, size, color, pattern, and other graphic variables to represent a variety of information about each phenomenon being represented.

A visual variable, in cartographic design, graphic design, and data visualization, is an aspect of a graphical object that can visually differentiate it from other objects, and can be controlled during the design process. The concept was first systematized by Jacques Bertin, a French cartographer and graphic designer, and published in his 1967 book, Sémiologie Graphique. Bertin identified a basic set of these variables and provided guidance for their usage; the concept and the set of variables has since been expanded, especially in cartography, where it has become a core principle of education and practice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartographic design</span> Process of designing maps

Cartographic design or map design is the process of crafting the appearance of a map, applying the principles of design and knowledge of how maps are used to create a map that has both aesthetic appeal and practical function. It shares this dual goal with almost all forms of design; it also shares with other design, especially graphic design, the three skill sets of artistic talent, scientific reasoning, and technology. As a discipline, it integrates design, geography, and geographic information science.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet GIS</span> Internet technologies regarding spatial data

Internet GIS, or Internet geographic information system (GIS), is a term that refers to a broad set of technologies and applications that employ the Internet to access, analyze, visualize, and distribute spatial data. Internet GIS is an outgrowth of traditional GIS, and represents a shift from conducting GIS on an individual computer to working with remotely distributed data and functions. Two major issues in GIS are accessing and distributing spatial data and GIS outputs. Internet GIS helps to solve that problem by allowing users to access vast databases impossible to store on a single desktop computer, and by allowing rapid dissemination of both maps and raw data to others. These methods include both file sharing and email. This has enabled the general public to participate in map creation and make use of GIS technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Web GIS</span> Technologies employing the World Wide Web to manage spatial data

Web GIS, or Web Geographic Information Systems, are GIS that employ the World Wide Web to facilitate the storage, visualization, analysis, and distribution of spatial information over the Internet. The World Wide Web, or the Web, is an information system that uses the internet to host, share, and distribute documents, images, and other data. Web GIS involves using the World Wide Web to facilitate GIS tasks traditionally done on a desktop computer, as well as enabling the sharing of maps and spatial data. While Web GIS and Internet GIS are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different concepts. Web GIS is a subset of Internet GIS, which is itself a subset of distributed GIS, which itself is a subset of broader Geographic information system. The most common application of Web GIS is Web mapping, so much so that the two terms are often used interchangeably in much the same way as Digital mapping and GIS. However, Web GIS and web mapping are distinct concepts, with web mapping not necessarily requiring a Web GIS.

References

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  2. 1 2 Campbell, Craig S. and; Egbert, E. L. (1990). "Animated cartography: 30 years of scratching the surface". Cartographica. 27 (2): 24–43. doi:10.3138/V321-5367-W742-1587.
  3. 1 2 Tobler, Waldo R. (1970). "A computer movie simulating urban growth in the Detroit region". Economic Geography. 46 (2): 234–24. doi:10.2307/143141. JSTOR   143141.
  4. ↑ Monmonier, Mark (10 April 2018). How to lie with maps (3 ed.). University of Chicago Press. ISBN   978-0226435923.
  5. ↑ "Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV) Situation Report - 13" (PDF). World Health Organization. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  6. ↑ Mooney, Peter; Juhász, Levente (July 2020). "Mapping COVID-19: How web-based maps contribute to the infodemic". Dialogues in Human Geography. 10 (2): 265–270. doi: 10.1177/2043820620934926 . S2CID   220415906.
  7. 1 2 DiBiase, David; et al. (1992). "Animation and the role of map design in scientific visualization". Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. 19 (4): 201–214, 165–266. doi:10.1559/152304092783721295.
  8. 1 2 MacEachren, Alan M. (1998). "Cartography, GIS and the World Wide Web". Progress in Human Geography. 22 (4): 575–585. doi: 10.1191/030913298670626440 .
  9. ↑ Beschizza, Rob (2015-11-30). "Animated map shows the Civil War's front lines in 5 minutes". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  10. ↑ "This video beautifully illustrates the history of India from 2800 BC to 2016". IndiaTimes. 2016-05-27. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
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