3D Contour maps in Taiwan

It looks as though there is already research being done in the area of 3D mapping.  My fellow PhD research student Yin-Ren Chang in the Modern Holography Group at De Montfort has informed me that Chiang Mei-Yi a researcher in Taiwan has produced a research paper for her Master's degree entitled "The depth of spatial research in the holographic-stereo contour map".


However I don't believe anyone is looking at representing time in three-dimensions.  I hope not!

Three-dimensional data

I'm wondering whether lentular imaging can be used to display three-dimensional astronomical data effectively - for science communication purposes.  There are R-Trees - methods of displaying relationships between layers of data, which could be illustrated using lenticular imaging/digital holography.  The information is described/labelled as being either 'parent' or 'child' so different generations of data could be shown on different layers within a lenticular image.

I'm interested in using layers of space within a lenticular to represent different time periods.   The further back within the image plane the data is placed - the further back in time the data. Life cycles of stars could be shown easily using this technique - posters suitable for GCSE science students/general public.

Topographic map

I am also imagining that contour maps could be represented in three-dimensions - although the depth within in the image plane would not represent time in this instance.

And what about weather maps? Depth within the lenticular can also be used to represent pressure or temperature.  

I was introduced to the work of Eduard Tufte by Dr Phil Uttley last week who researched the graphic representation of data.  All of this is intellectually interesting, but I don't yet have any emotional attachment to it.  I would rather go back to working on three-dimensional family trees.  This is perhaps though a secondary use for my research - and an arguement that it could be considered a contribution to knowledge.