| A key objective in visualization research is to design and implement algorithms to effectively communicate scientific data so that the essential features of the data can be understood intuitively and accurately. In many disciplines, scientists need to make important decisions based on their interpretation of images of data. Examples of such fields include but are not limited to molecular biology, diagnostic medicine, forensics, and industrial inspection and manufacturing. The accurate perception of shape and surface details is crucial for correctly interpreting the images. A better understanding of how humans interpret pictorial cues in the images provides a key as to which cues are critical in veridical shape perception.; Previous research has shown that humans can perceive three-dimensional shape from two dimensional images using the pictorial cues present in the images. Shading is a pictorial cue that can be very effective in conveying three-dimensional shape. However, shading alone is not optimal for all purposes, since shading does not provide sufficient detail of local shape when the viewers zoom in on a part of the object. Studies have shown that using an appropriate texture can provide improved perception of the shape of an object.; In order to gain insights into human perception of three-dimensional shape from texture, this dissertation employs a series of human observer studies in which participants are shown an image on a computer monitor and asked to make a shape judgment. Specifically, the types and characteristics of texture patterns that facilitate or impede accurate shape perception are studied.; This thesis contributes to the field of visualization by providing insight into how to choose or define texture patterns not only to make pretty pictures, but pictures that facilitate better perception. Factors of texture patterns that affect three-dimensional shape perception of both surface curvature and shape discrimination are presented. This thesis also applies existing visual perception theory to applications in visualization and computer graphics. |
