What are the challenges of 2D visualization?

The challenges of 2D visualisation include limited perspective, overplotting, and difficulty in representing complex data.

2D visualisation, while useful in many scenarios, often presents a limited perspective of the data. This is because it only allows for the representation of data along two axes, which can be restrictive when dealing with multi-dimensional data. For instance, if you are trying to visualise a dataset with multiple variables, a 2D visualisation may not be able to accurately or effectively represent all the variables at once. This can lead to a loss of information and potentially misleading interpretations.

Another challenge is overplotting, which occurs when too many data points overlap on a 2D plot, making it difficult to distinguish individual points or patterns. This is particularly problematic when dealing with large datasets, as the density of points can make the visualisation confusing and hard to interpret. Overplotting can obscure important patterns or trends in the data, and can also make it difficult to accurately estimate the density of points in different areas of the plot.

Representing complex data is another challenge in 2D visualisation. Complex data, such as hierarchical or network data, can be difficult to represent effectively in two dimensions. For example, visualising a complex network of relationships between different entities can be challenging in 2D, as it can be difficult to show all the connections without the visualisation becoming cluttered and confusing. Similarly, hierarchical data, where entities are nested within each other in multiple levels, can also be difficult to represent in a 2D space.

Lastly, 2D visualisations can also be less engaging and interactive than 3D visualisations. While 2D visualisations are often simpler and easier to create, they can lack the depth and interactivity that 3D visualisations can provide. This can make it harder to engage viewers and convey complex information in an intuitive and accessible way.

In conclusion, while 2D visualisation is a powerful tool for data representation, it comes with its own set of challenges. These include limited perspective, overplotting, difficulty in representing complex data, and lack of interactivity.