Vega|a User-centered Approach to the Distributed Visualization of Geometric Algorithms Institut F Ur Informatik | Technical Report 117

We present a new approach to the distributed visualization of geometric algorithms that emphasizes the position of the end user. Concepts are introduced that enable a more ex-ible usage of visualized geometric algorithms, while keeping the task of adapting existing algorithms to the new scheme as simple as possible. A main proposition is that interactivity should not be built into the visualized algorithms, but into the visualizing system. With this in mind, we devise a visualization model for geometric algorithms that incorporates strong algorithm execution control, exible manipulation of geometric input/output data and adjustable view attributes. The new visualization model is implemented in the Vega 1 system. Vega ooers distributed visualization of geometric algorithms based on source code annotation and supports the standard libraries LEDA and CGAL.