6 Visualization and insight

The digital representation of physical systems built from sensor data, external systems, and existing artifacts remains largely invisible until we create visual interfaces to reveal it. Physical systems can be represented digitally in 2D through diagrams, schematics, geospatial views, and floorplans, and data dashboards. Visualizations are essential because they transform complex data into actionable insights that would otherwise be hidden. Well-designed visualization bridges the gap between computational processes and human cognition, compressing huge numbers of data points into forms we can easily process and act upon.

In this chapter, you will build visualizations that make this digital reality comprehensible. Different users require different views: operators need real-time alerts, engineers examine technical parameters, executives track KPIs, and maintenance teams require spatial context. When visualization is required, presenting information effectively ensures that a digital twin’s insights are accessible and easy to interpret.

6.1 Why graphical visualization matters in digital twins

6.1.1 Data to visual mapping principles

6.1.2 User experience considerations

6.2 2D visualization techniques

6.2.1 Charts, graphs, and data visualization

6.2.2 Dashboards and control panels

6.2.3 Schematic diagrams

6.2.4 Spatial 2D visualization

6.2.5 Heatmaps

6.3 2D visualization performance considerations

6.3.1 Choosing the right rendering technology

6.3.2 Data decimation and aggregation for timeseries data

6.4 Building effective visualizations with Grafana

6.4.1 Why Grafana works well for digital twins

6.4.2 The buy versus build advantage

6.4.3 Try it out: build a Grafana dashboard for a home digital twin

6.5 Summary