Abstract: Visualization of three-dimensional data without loss of desired characteristics is enabled by receiving three-dimensional data pertaining to a physical object in the world, the physical object represented by a series of segments, the three-dimensional data including a predetermined number of measurements of the series of segments, storing the three-dimensional data in data storage and generating an average measurement value for each of the series of segments. The process further involves generating a first generalization of the three-dimensional data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a desired number of measurements, fewer than the predetermined number of measurements, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average measurement, storing the selected measurements as the first generalization of the three-dimensional data in the data storage, and upon request, providing access to the first generalization of the three-dimensional data.

Abstract: Visualization of three-dimensional data without loss of desired characteristics is enabled by receiving mapping data pertaining to a physical object in the world, the physical object represented by a series of segments, the three-dimensional data including a predetermined number of measurements of the series of segments, storing the mapping data in data storage and generating an average measurement value for each of the series of segments. The process further involves generating a first generalization of the mapping data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a desired number of measurements, fewer than the predetermined number of measurements, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average measurement, storing the selected measurements as the first generalization of the mapping data in the data storage, and upon request, providing access to the first generalization of the mapping data for use in rendering the mapping data as three-dimensional data.