We present a method for the browsing of hierarchical 3D models in which we combine the typical navigation of hierarchical structures in a 2D environment—using clicks on nodes, links, or icons—with a 3D spatial data visualization. Our approach is motivated by large molecular models, for which the traditional single-scale navigational metaphors are not suitable. Multi-scale phenomena, e. g., in astronomy or geography, are complex to navigate due to their large data spaces and multi-level organization. Models from structural biology are in addition also densely crowded in space and scale. Cutaways are needed to show individual model subparts. The camera has to support exploration on the level of a whole virus, as well as on the level of a small molecule. We address these challenges by employing HyperLabels: active labels that—in addition to their annotational role—also support user interaction. Clicks on HyperLabels select the next structure to be explored. Then, we adjust the visualization to showcase the inner composition of the selected subpart and enable further exploration. Finally, we use a breadcrumbs panel for orientation and as a mechanism to traverse upwards in the model hierarchy. We demonstrate our concept of hierarchical 3D model browsing using two exemplary models from meso-scale biology.

中文翻译：

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HyperLabels：浏览密集和分层的分子 3D 模型

我们提出了一种浏览分层 3D 模型的方法，在该方法中，我们将 2D 环境中分层结构的典型导航（使用点击节点、链接或图标）与 3D 空间数据可视化相结合。我们的方法受到大分子模型的启发，传统的单尺度导航隐喻不适合这种模型。多尺度现象，例如，在天文学或地理学中，由于其庞大的数据空间和多层次的组织，导航起来很复杂。此外，来自结构生物学的模型在空间和规模上也非常拥挤。需要剖视图来显示单个模型子部件。相机必须支持在整个病毒水平以及小分子水平上的探索。我们通过使用 HyperLabels 来应对这些挑战：活动标签——除了它们的注释角色——还支持用户交互。单击 HyperLabels 选择要探索的下一个结构。然后，我们调整可视化以展示所选子部分的内部组成并进行进一步探索。最后，我们使用面包屑面板进行定向，并作为在模型层次结构中向上遍历的机制。我们使用来自中尺度生物学的两个示例模型来展示我们的分层 3D 模型浏览概念。