Dynamic scaling of visualization data while maintaining desired object characteristics

A method of providing visualization data comprising:

• receiving mapping data pertaining to a tubular physical object in the world, the tubular physical object represented by a series of segments along a longitudinal axis of the tubular physical object, the mapping data including a predetermined number of internal radial distance measurements of the series of segments;
• storing the mapping data in data storage;
• generating an average measurement value for each of the series of segments comprising an average radius of the tubular physical object for each of the series of segments;
• generating a first generalization of the mapping data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a desired number of measurements selected before receipt of the mapping data and fewer than the predetermined number of measurements, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average measurement;
• generating a second generalization of the mapping data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a second desired number of measurements selected before receipt of the mapping data and fewer than the first generalization, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average measurement within the first generalization of the mapping data;
• storing the first generalization and the second generalization of the mapping data in the data storage;
• and
• upon request, transmitting one of the first generalization and the second generalization of the mapping data for rendering the mapping data in three dimensions.

A system for providing visualization data comprising:

• a server, including processor and memory, the server executing instructions that cause the processor to:
• receive mapping data pertaining to a tubular section of a pipe, the pipe represented by a series of segments along the pipe's length, the mapping data including a predetermined number of radial measurements from a center transverse of the series of segments;
• store the mapping data in data storage;
• generate an average radial measurement value for each of the series of segments comprising an average radius of the tubular section of the pipe for each of the series of segments;
• generate a first generalization of the mapping data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a desired number of measurements selected before receipt of the mapping data and fewer than the predetermined number of measurements, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average radial measurement;
• generate a second generalization of the mapping data by selecting, for each of the series of segments, a second desired number of measurements, selected before receipt of the mapping data and fewer than the first generalization, that represent the largest deviations from the respective average measurement within the first generalization of the mapping data;
• store the first generalization and the second generalization of the mapping data in the data storage;
• and
• upon request, transmitting one of the first generalization and the second generalization of the mapping data for rendering the mapping data in three dimensions.