Animation

Question 1

What are dynamic maps?

Answer 1

Maps showing change over time (e.g., population growth).

Question 2

Early examples of animated maps?

Answer 2

Tobler’s 3D Detroit population (1970), Moellering’s traffic accidents (1976).

Question 3

Key visual variables in animation?

Answer 3

Duration, rate of change, order, display date, frequency, synchronization.

Question 4

How does rate of change affect smoothness?

Answer 4

Lower magnitude of change = smoother animation.

Question 5

What is temporal texture?

Answer 5

Pattern of change frequency (e.g., rapid vs. gradual shifts).

Question 6

Time series animation vs. static maps?

Answer 6

Time series shows change (multiple frames); static = single snapshot.

Question 7

What are re-expressions?

Answer 7

Data transformations (e.g., reordering frames) to reveal new patterns.

Question 8

Challenges of fly-over animations?

Answer 8

Disorientation, occlusion; solved with grids/planimetric previews.

Question 9

How to emphasize locations in animation?

Answer 9

Flashing symbols, sequencing, or highlighting key areas.

Question 10

What are visual benchmarks?

Answer 10

Reference points to compare frames (static or dynamic).

Question 11

What causes change blindness?

Answer 11

Overly complex animations; users miss details without playback control.

Question 12

Why use synchronization?

Answer 12

To compare correlated time series (e.g., rainfall vs. vegetation).