Illustrative X-Ray Visualization in Augmented Reality Environments

Human visual perception is dependent on the physical behavior of light. Depending on the
characteristics of the material it strikes, light is absorbed, transmitted and/or re
ected. Although it is impossible to change the physics of real world environments, Augmented
Reality (AR) displays are able to create renderings which seem to suspend some of the
rules which apply in the real world. They achieve this eect by extending real world
imagery using artificial, computer-generated information which is registered in 3D space
and related to objects and places in the real world.
By augmenting the virtual counterpart of a real world object, AR displays are even able
to uncover hidden objects yielding the impression of seeing through formerly obscuring
objects. Such x-ray vision is a powerful tool in exploring hidden structures along with
related contextual real world information. However, it may also easily confuse its user if
it is implemented carelessly.
In order to improve the comprehensibility of x-ray visualizations, this dissertation introduces illustrative visualization techniques to Augmented Reality applications. It presents the real-time integration of the three major illustrative x-ray visualization techniques, cutaways, ghostings and explosion diagrams into interactive and complex Augmented Reality environments. It shows their rendering under perfect conditions as well as visualization strategies to handle the diculties posed by imperfect virtual scene description or poor real-world data. Moreover, this thesis presents the approach of multi-level focus and context visualization templates, which enable eective visual communication of illustrative renderings in complex AR environments.