The goal of the research described in this paper is to develop an application-independent presentation tool that automatically designs effective graphical presentations (such as bar charts, scatter plots, and connected graphs) of relational information. Two problems are raised by this goal: The codifi-cation of graphic design criteria in a form that can be used by the presentation tool, and the generation of a wide variety of designs so that the presentation tool can accommodate a wide variety of information. The approach described in this paper is based on the view that graphical presentations are sentences of graphical languages. The graphic design issues are codified as expressiveness and effectiveness criteria for graphical languages. Expressiveness criteria determine whether a graphical language can express the desired information. Effectiveness criteria determine whether a graphical language exploits the capabilities of the output medium and the human visual system. A wide variety of designs can be systematically generated by using a composition algebra that composes a small set of primitive graphical languages. Artificial intelligence techniques are used to implement a prototype presentation tool called APT (A Presentation Tool), which is based on the composition algebra and the graphic design criteria.

This dissertation explores the concepts behind creating useful visualizations for the analysis and understanding of simulation environments. We define parameters for determining usefulness of visualizations, describe a methodology of visualization creation, and use this methodology to create a computerized automatic visualization generation system for an urban planning simulation system. The effective use of visualizations can lessen the burden of data retrieval and allows analysts to focus on information synthesis. Our visualization system allows users to specify a goal or task, and then the system designs visual displays that help users perform their tasks and achieve their goals. Our aim is to allow users to focus on their tasks rather than worry about the specifics of effective information presentation.