Virtual Worlds for 3D Visualizations

This paper presents an analysis and discussion of visual information representations in multi-user avatar-based 3D virtual worlds. We discuss benefits and issues of such environments for displaying scientific and information visualizations. In comparison to traditional two-dimensional representation forms, virtual worlds can be used to display more dimensions of information and illustrate data with real-world metaphors. Additionally, their collaborative and social character allows new ways to explore and experience visualizations. However, the design, implementation, and integration of three-dimensional visual representations in such environments are more challenging than for 2D representations. Thus, only a few visualization forms are reasonable. In this paper we reflect on implications for more useful 3D visualizations and introduce and discuss these on own examples.