Thesis
Quantifying levels of abstraction in images using computer technology
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2002
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/91
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges for landscape architects is to effectively and graphically communicate design intentions to other people. The appropriate level of abstraction in visual simulations is a significant consideration when presenting design images. The ability to quantify these abstraction levels and to establish graphic guidelines would be beneficial for designers. This thesis proposes to develop and apply a methodology that can quantify levels of abstraction in landscape graphics by using computer graphics technology. The key component of this methodology lies in computer graphic technology and the process in which graphic files are compressed. In essence, an analysis of the image at the pixel level determines how much detail is in the image. The amount of detail in an image relates to the level of abstraction of the image. This thesis hypothesizes and tests the relationship between varying levels of abstraction and the resulting file compression ratios. The methodology developed and employed elements of design process graphics, computer graphics technology, and information theory to develop and apply a process to test levels of abstraction in simulated landscape images. An original set of 30 images is manipulated two times to provide three sets of images, which represent graphics used during the design process as well as progressively increasing abstraction. Compression ratios where established from an eight-step procedure that categorizes, standardizes, manipulates, compresses and records the data for the 90 images. The varying levels of abstraction and resulting compression ratios are statistically tested for association. Results indicate a strong association between image compression ratios and levels of abstraction. These test results confirm the hypothesis that there is an association between the compressibility of landscape images and the levels of abstraction. Furthermore, these levels are related to the communication of design intentions. The ability to quantify levels of abstraction has the potential to establish graphic recommendations for designers and the application to verify findings of existing studies involving levels of abstraction.
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Details
- Title
- Quantifying levels of abstraction in images using computer technology
- Creators
- Angela M. Feser
- Contributors
- Kerry Brooks (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Horticulture, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525099101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis