Creating conceptual models in Adobe Illustrator (10)ian.umces.edu/pdfs/ian_presentation_27.pdf · Z scheme of photosynthesis ... *.ai Adobe Illustrator vector art work ... Creating

integration application network

Conceptual DiagramsA tool for science communication

Bill Dennison & Tim Carruthers


Conceptual diagrams• Conceptual diagrams have proven useful for

science integration and applications

• Technological advances have made it possible to ‘click & drag’ using symbol libraries (you don’t need to be an artist)

• An easy to use system that can ‘grow’ (updated with additional symbols and bases) will encourage more scientists to use conceptual diagrams and communicate more effectively

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." A. Einsteinsimpler." A. Einstein


What is a conceptual diagram?

• “Concept” from Latin conceptus (meaning thought); something conceived in the mind

• “Diagram” from Greek diagramma (meaning to mark out by lines);

• a graphic design that explains rather than represents, a drawing that shows arrangement and relations

• THOUGHT DRAWING

• Conceptual diagram = A diagram using symbols that depicts the essential attributes of a system


Conceptual diagrams provide an interface

Science Community

Priorities &environmentalvalues

Credibility & support

Commitment &resources

Current understanding

ConceptualDiagram

Shared vision


Good conceptual diagrams are used extensively

Z scheme of photosynthesis

Plate tectonics


Darwin used conceptual diagrams to explain his theory of coral reef

formation


Conceptual diagrams use symbols: an ancient technique to depict unequivocal messages

Darwin’s conceptual diagram

Cave drawing (Australian aborigines)


Symbols (icons) are a key element of conceptual diagrams

• Symbol: from Greek symbolon (token of identity) and Latin symbolum (token, sign)

• Symbol: A sign that signifies by virtue of sharing a property with what it represents –a. something that stands for or suggests something else–b. a visible thing that stands for something invisible or intangible

• Symbols used in mathematics (e.g., p), chemistry (e.g., 210Pb), music(e.g., ) weather (e.g., ), religion (e.g., ), corporations (e.g., ), and organizations (e.g., )

• Symbols can be universal; language independent

• Symbols are scalable; size of symbol can represent relative importance-- vs.

• Symbols can be information-rich; size, shape, color and position of symbols can convey information


Both shape and color of symbols can be important for recognition


Symbols are an important feature of everyday life

Shape, color and images used for traffic signs


In conceptual diagrams, as in maps, symbols need to be explained in a legend

Map legend:

Conceptual diagram legend:


Conceptual diagrams can capture the increasing understanding of a system…

1995 1998

2001


Conceptual diagrams can depict processes at different scales…

meterskilometers

centimeters


Conceptual diagrams can be nested


Conceptual diagrams are not…

… cartoons… model relationships

… colored box & arrow diagrams

… a replacement for good, well-interpreted data


Conceptual diagrams can augment the effective communication of

scientific understanding

Conceptual diagram that uses 2 pp. of

text for explanationConceptual diagram with

‘stand-alone’ legend


Literature citations can be added…


Why use conceptual diagrams?

• Helps to clarify thinking(words can be ambiguous, an image commits to the message being portrayed)

• Communication(one way and two way –idea presentation and idea development)

• Identify gaps / priorities / essential elements

• Develop syntheses (or present synthesis)

Seagrass loss in Moreton Bay


Use of conceptual models facilitates hybrid diagrams of data

Journal articles Books


Symbols can be used on maps and linked to species identification guides

Distributionmap

Identificationguide


Who develops/uses conceptual diagrams?

Scientists Teachers

Resource Managers


Various applications of conceptual diagrams

ResearchSynthesisMonitoringManagement


Conceptual diagrams can be incorporatedinto various publications

Books

Newsletters

Journal publications

Posters


Conceptual diagrams can be used in powerpoint presentations

Overall summary Component diagrams (nested)

Problem statement Problem resolution

(Burford et al.)


Conceptual diagrams can be produced in real time to synthesize main messages

Result of one day meeting into seagrass loss in Western Port


The Ten Commandments of conceptual diagrams…

1. Thou shalt honor thy audience 2. Thou shalt simplify 3. Thou shalt not use garish colors or apply colors inconsistently4. Thou shalt not produce a diagram without a complete legend 5. Thou shalt not covet a single style6. Thou shalt not be constrained by geometry7. Thou shalt not use arrows indiscriminately8. Thou shalt not be afraid of making new symbols 9. Thou shalt not publish diagrams without significant editing10. Thou shalt not confine use of diagrams to scientific peers


Drawing Programs

Program Web Site Price

Adobe Illustrator (PC, MAC)

www.adobe.com * $ 45

Corel Draw(PC)

www.corel.com * $165

Macromedia Freehand(PC,MAC)

www.macromedia.com ** $ 99

Deneba Canvas (PC, MAC)

www.deneba.com ** $199

* ~ USM Site License

** ~ Educational Price (not though USM site license)

http://www.deneba.com/

http://www.macromedia.com/

http://www.corel.com/

http://www.adobe.com/


Copyright issueshttp://www.copyright.gov http://www.benedict.com/homepage.htm

• © Dennison 2000 and /or add logo; but this does NOT connote any real proprietary value

• Right click to grab image from web site—public supported web sites do not need permission, but permission and/or acknowledgement is recommended

• Ideas not copyrightable “Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing something.”

• Universal symbols, lists and tables from public documents are not copyrighted

/

http://www.copyright.gov/

http://www.copyright.gov/

http://www.benedict.com/homepage.htm


Resolution issues

Print/Publication Monitor/Web

72 DPI (also called PPI-Pixels per inch)

RGB paletteRed, green, blueCompressed images, small files (size)

300 Dots per inch (DPI)

CYMK palette cyan, yellow,magenta, blackDrawing files, bitmap images-May be large files (size)

Pixel = Picture Element Text scanned in as line art at 600 DPIPaste Special when inserting image > smaller image size

72 dpi 150 dpi 250 dpi


Transferring images to Powerpoint..

• From the ‘edit menu’:choose ‘paste special’

• For diagrams and figures use Enhanced Metafile, GIF or PNG

• For photos use JPEG

• This can reduce a 70Mb powerpoint file to 2Mb !!


File Types— determined by the way they

represent graphic information

vector

raster

File Name Type Primary Use

*.ai Adobe Illustrator vector art work

*.cdr Corel Draw vector art work

*.bmp Windows bitmap format raster photographs, art work

*.tif Tagged-Image Format raster, vector scanned images

*.eps Encapsulated Postscript vector, raster art work

*.jpg(jpeg)

Joint Photographic Experts Group

compressed raster

photographs (web)

*.gif Graphics Interchange Format

compressed raster

art work (web)


Creating conceptual diagrams

• Define overall message (e.g., what story or stories to tell)

• Identify audience (e.g., scientific peers, general audience)

• List key structural & functional aspects– major processes (e.g., biogeochemical pathways,

food web)– biota/habitats (e.g., forest types, wetlands)

• Experiment with ways to depict system (2D vs. 3D; mirror images; nested)

• Start drawing (white boards are useful)


Layering simplifies the diagram

Layer 1 (background panels)

Layer 3 (window dressing)Layer 2 (Icons and Keys)

Priority is assigned within layers: a ‘sent to back’ icon will be in front

of the ‘sent to front’ background panel


The ‘layers’ window

Creates new layers



The currently active layer is highlighted, anything drawn or imported will be in this layer



This locks entire layers (for eg base of model) –to work on other layers (eg icons)



Layers are indicated by different highlight colors


Bases can be 2 or 3 dimensional• Forming Bases – Filled and Clear arrow tools• Line and Fill colors – the color/stroke/gradient menus• Textures – the swatch menu

Bases


Click and drag bases…

Import the ‘bases palette’





To edit base, right click & ‘break link to symbol


Replicating a base fill/style

Open the Style library‘Environmental..Physical Styles’

Then highlight the objectto receive a fill style


Replicating a base fill/style

Changes fill, in thiscase to ‘mud’


Gradient palette

Custom gradientscan be found in

the swatch palette


Gradient palette

Useful to indicate gradual changes

in water quality etc


Gradient palette

Adjust mid point of gradient

Create new color points


Pen tools (selection tools) Drawing palette

Left click and hold on pen tool gives four options..


Pen tools (selection tools)










Outlines and Fills

Fill

Outline

Line is defined as black and a stroke weight of 1 ptFill is transparent (turned off)


Outlines and Fills

Line is transparent (turned off)Fill is defined as light blue


Libraries

Window:symbol librarieschoose required

library


Libraries

1

2

3 1. Create new layer2. Choose symbol

3. Insert into model


Creating new symbols

Find a photograph ofobject and import into

Illustrator

Lock the image



Choose the standardpen tool

Set line thickness and choose an easily visible

color

Start tracing areas of uniform color



Use the curve pentool to smooth lines



Adjust color and fill


Grouping and transforming

Having created a symbol group the

elements



Symbols or elements canbe rotated, scaled and

reflected




A range of currently available symbols


www.ian.umces.edu/conceptualdiagrams.htmPlease visit our website to download the symbol libraries for

Illustrator for FREE

Be sure to click the “Register for FREE Instant Access” link


Acknowledgements…

Eva AbalCatherine Collier Karen HollowayDiana KleineKate Moore Judy O’NeilFrancis PantusDieter Tracey


Future possibilities:• Develop Stella-like functionality with conceptual diagram ‘front-

end’ (quantitative representations, scenario runs)?

Documents

Creating conceptual models in Adobe Illustrator (10)ian.umces.edu/pdfs/ian_presentation_27.pdf · Z scheme of photosynthesis ... *.ai Adobe Illustrator vector art work ... Creating