Protocol for enhancing visualization clarity for categorical spatial datasets using Spaco

STAR Protoc. 2024 May 9;5(2):103062. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103062. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

In categorical data visualization, appropriate color arrangements can avoid perceptual ambiguity and help perceive underlying data patterns. We introduce a protocol to assign contrastive colors to neighboring categories using both Python and R packages. We describe steps for calculating the interlacement between clusters and generating a proper color palette and calculating color contrast. We then detail procedures for aligning cluster interlacement and color contrast to get an optimized cluster-color assignment, achieving clear categorical visualization. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Jing et al.1.

Keywords: Single cell; bioinformatics; computer sciences.