Multi-Focus Probes for Context-Preserving Network Exploration and Interaction in Immersive Analytics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multifocus probe technique for immersive network visualization that allows seamless switching between local details and global context, enhancing interaction and editing capabilities.

Contribution

It presents a novel multifocus probe method enabling multiple local views with persistent global links in immersive environments.

Findings

Improved context preservation during multi-scale interaction

Enhanced user ability to inspect and edit distant network regions

Usability demonstrated in network data editing tasks

Abstract

Immersive visualization of network data enables users to physically navigate and interact with complex structures, but managing transitions between detailed local (egocentric) views and global (exocentric) overviews remains a major challenge. We present a multifocus probe technique for immersive environments that allows users to instantiate multiple egocentric subgraph views while maintaining persistent links to the global network context. Each probe acts as a portable local focus, enabling fine-grained inspection and editing of distant or occluded regions. Visual and haptic guidance mechanisms ensure context preservation during multi-scale interaction. We demonstrate and discuss the usability of our technique for the editing of network data.