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Table_to_Scatter_Field
Synopsis
Table_to_Scatter_Field maps the data in an array of DBcolumn to a scattered field.
Input Ports
Parameters
toggles the column between discrete and continuous coordinates
Output Ports
out_obj DefaultObject
x_name stringDescription
Table_to_Scatter_Field maps the data in an array of DBcolumn to a 1D, 2D, or 3D scattered field (an unstructured field that can store scattered data). The data that is mapped is usually query data returned by the DBquery module or the Query macro.
You typically use scattered fields to represent sparse data (data whose columns have many missing values) or nonconnected data (data in which there are no internal logical connections between database records). When mapping query data to a scattered field, each record is viewed as a separate point that may have several associated data values.
You can visualize scattered field data directly using glyph modules. Alternatively, you can map it to an unstructured field type using a triangulation process (or, in 3D, a tetrahedration process). After mapping it, you can apply most AVS/Express visualization techniques to the results; for example, isosurface, slice, or surface_plot . This type of visualization is suitable mainly for cluster analysis .
Table_to_Scatter_Field provides a number of parameter values that control various aspects of the mapping.
You use the X_Axis, Y_Axis, and Z_Axis selection menus to select one, two, or three columns that will serve as the coordinate axes of the resulting scattered field. The number of spatial dimensions in the output field will be one, two, or three, respectively. You use the On toggle associated with each menu to activate the corresponding axis.
You use the Axis_Setup menu to specify a column whose axis parameter you want to set. This parameter value is used when you select the column as a coordinate axis. The Discrete parameter is available. It specifies whether the coordinates along an axis are discrete or continuous.
If you select Discrete, discrete coordinates are used. These coordinates are the indices of the rows in a column, rather than the rows' values. Note that every row is assigned its own index value, including duplicate row values. (By comparison, Table_to_Uniform_Field uses only unique values.)
Discrete coordinates are particularly useful with numeric data such as area codes or with string values. For example, if the column contains the string values "John", "Bob", "Bob", "John", "Bill", the coordinates are 0, 1, 1, 0, and 2, where 0 represents "John", 1 represents "Bob", and 2 represents "Bill".
If you deselect Discrete, continuous coordinates are used; that is, each value in the column is treated as a separate coordinate value.
Note: Continuous coordinates cannot be used with string values.
You use the Field_Data selection menu to select the columns that will become data components in the resulting scattered field. You use Data_Setup to specify a column whose data parameter you want to set. This parameter value is used when you select the column using Field_Data.
The data parameter sphere_radius is available. Selecting sphere_radius for a particular column puts its data components into a field with a special ID. When visualized, the renderer treats this data as sphere radii.
Input
An array of type DBcolumn that contains the query data returned by a SELECT statement. This is the output of a DBquery module or Query macro.
Parameters
A menu from which you can choose the name of a column that will serve as the X_coordinate axis. The possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A toggle, located to the right of the X_Axis menu, that turns the X_coordinate axis on or off. The default is on.
A menu from which you can choose the name of a column that will serve as the Y_coordinate axis. The possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A toggle, located to the right of the Y_Axis menu, that turns the X_coordinate axis on or off. The default is off.
A menu from which you can choose the name of a column that will serve as the Z_coordinate axis. The possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A toggle, located to the right of the Z_Axis menu, that turns the X_coordinate axis on or off. The default is off.
A menu from which you can choose the name of a column whose axis parameter you want to set. This parameter value is used when you select the column as a coordinate axis.The possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A toggle that specifies whether to use discrete or continuous coordinates on the axes. If selected (the default), discrete coordinates are used, otherwise continuous coordinates are used.
A menu from which you can choose the columns that will become data components in the output scattered field. The first possible value is Count_Records (see Table_to_Uniform_Field ); the other possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A menu from which you can choose the name of a column whose field data parameter you want to set. This parameter value is used when you select the column using Field_Data. The possible values are the names of the columns in the columns[] input port.
A toggle that specifies whether the data in a column should be treated as sphere radii. If selected (the default), the data values in the column specified with Data_Setup are put into a field with a special ID, and when visualized, the renderer treats the data as sphere radii.
Output Port
Example
File
See also related modules
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