Graph sketcher: extending illustration to quantitative graphs

Scientists, engineers, and educators commonly need to make graphs that quickly illustrate quantitative ideas yet are not based on specific data sets. We call these graphs quantitative concept diagrams (QCDs). Existing charting and illustration programs make it possible to produce such graphs, but they are so time-consuming that users tend to sketch the graphs by hand instead. To reduce the cost of creating QCDs, we developed Graph Sketcher, a quantitative graphing tool that deeply integrates the data plotting capabilities of charting programs with the direct manipulation techniques of illustration programs. We show that our integrated interface substantially reduces the time needed to create QCDs, and we further show that real Graph Sketcher users both enjoy and take advantage of the interface improvements to create QCDs in a wide range of fields. Author Keywords Information visualization, charting, illustration, quantitative concept diagrams, snap-dragging, constraint-based layout, p...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Robin Stewart, m. c. schraefel
• Keywords: CHI 2009, Graph Sketcher Users, Graphs Quantitative Concept, Human Computer Interaction, Quantitative Concept Diagrams