Introduction

This sonification method was developed for the display and interactive exploration of 3d-plots. It allows to click on a drawing and listen to the surrounding "landscape" of the spot. In different angles (i.e. east, north-east, north, north-west and so on) melodies indicate the slope of the values. Whereas in colored plots only a qualitative picture of the topology can be given, this slope gives detailed information on the relative differences in a certain region.

The sonification is tested here with a simple data set: a potential is simulated with the successive over-relaxation algorithm, using the Laplace equation. A Faraday cage, a dipole and a condensator are modeled.

Sound examples of this sonification are given here; the listener is in the center of the starting spot and hears 5 directions (this only give a glimpse of the tool, as it is interactive):

• first example, rather uniform
• second example
• third example