Spider Cursor: a simple versatile interaction tool for data visualization and exploration

Abstract

We present Spider Cursor, an exploration tool for geometric models that has proven useful in analyzing data coming from various sources. The Spider Cursor is simple to learn and use, and is useful to help extract various types of relationships present in the data. Additionally, it implements a dual presentation mode, in which visual and aural attributes are used to represent information. A cursor in the shape of a spider runs on top of a surface, helping location of information at neighboring points of the geometry. That can be used for data analysis as well as model manipulations (such as cuts and marks). Sound is employed to display complementary and supplementary information as well as to help define orientation. This paper describes the basic concepts of the Spider Cursor, and illustrates its use by giving examples of applications.