Some isolines are usually given a specific name, which begins with the prefix "iso" (from the Greek ισος (isos), which means equal) according to the nature of the variable that remains constant, although in many fields we simply talk about contour lines: the isotherm is a line of constant temperature; the isobara' is a line of constant pressure; and the isogon is a line along which an angle remains constant (from the Greek iso-gonios = equal angles).

The prefix “iso” can be replaced by “isalo” to specify a line joining points where a variable changes at the same rate over a given period.

The use of specific names is widespread in meteorology, where they are used on the same map or diagram (usually isobars and isotherms) to present a picture of the main factors affecting the weather. The isolines used in meteorology are based on the generalization of the data received from the meteorological station. Stations are rarely placed exactly on an isoline (when they are, it indicates a precise measurement equal to the isoline value). Instead, lines are drawn to the best approximation of exact values, based on the spread of available information. Weather maps can present collected data, such as air pressure at a given time, or an extrapolation of that data, such as the average pressure over a period, or weather forecasts, such as predicting air pressure at some future time.

In addition to these isolines, various types of graphs used in thermodynamics, engineering, and other sciences use isobars (to show constant pressures), isotherms (constant temperatures), isochors (for specific constant volumes), or other types of isolines (or curves), although these graphs are not generally related to maps. Those isolines are useful for representing more than two dimensions (or quantities) in two-dimensional graphs. The most common examples in thermodynamics are some types of phase diagram.

• - Isochasm: Equal occurrence of the polar aurora.

• - Isophotes: illuminance.

• - Detection of the edges of level sets by segmentation "Segmentation (image processing)") of images:

• Level set method

• Edge detector.

• - Active contour model.

To maximize the readability of contour maps, several layout options are available to the map creator, primarily line weight, line color, line type, and numerical marking method.

Line weight is simply the level of darkness or thickness of the line used. This choice is made based on the least intrusive outline shape that allows the reader to decipher the background information of the map itself. If there is little or no content in the basemap, contour lines can be drawn relatively thick. Additionally, in many forms of contour lines, such as topographic maps, it is common to vary the weight and/or color of the line, so that a different line characteristic is produced for certain numerical values. For example, on the topographic map above, elevations of one hundred even feet are shown with a different weight than intervals of twenty feet.

The line color is the choice of whatever number of pigments suits the display. A sheen or sheen&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sheen (paint) (not yet redacted)" is sometimes used in addition to color to differentiate contour lines from the base map.) The color of the lines may vary to show other information.

Line type refers to whether the basic contour line is solid, dashed, dotted, or broken into some other pattern to create the desired effect. Dashed or dashed lines are often used when the underlying basemap conveys very important (or difficult to read) information. Broken line types are used when inferring the location of the contour line.

The numeric marking is the way to denote the arithmetic values ​​of the contour lines. This can be done by placing numbers along some of the contour lines, usually using interpolation for the intermediate lines. You can also produce a map key that associates the contour lines with their values.

If the contours are not numerically labeled and adjacent lines have the same style (with the same weight, color, and type), then the direction of the gradient cannot be determined from the contours alone. However, if the contour lines pass through three or more styles, then the direction of the gradient can be determined from the lines. The orientation of numeric text labels is often used to indicate the direction of slope.

• - Scientific visualization.

• - Contour curve.

• - Isosurface.

Some isolines are usually given a specific name, which begins with the prefix "iso" (from the Greek ισος (isos), which means equal) according to the nature of the variable that remains constant, although in many fields we simply talk about contour lines: the isotherm is a line of constant temperature; the isobara' is a line of constant pressure; and the isogon is a line along which an angle remains constant (from the Greek iso-gonios = equal angles).

The prefix “iso” can be replaced by “isalo” to specify a line joining points where a variable changes at the same rate over a given period.

The use of specific names is widespread in meteorology, where they are used on the same map or diagram (usually isobars and isotherms) to present a picture of the main factors affecting the weather. The isolines used in meteorology are based on the generalization of the data received from the meteorological station. Stations are rarely placed exactly on an isoline (when they are, it indicates a precise measurement equal to the isoline value). Instead, lines are drawn to the best approximation of exact values, based on the spread of available information. Weather maps can present collected data, such as air pressure at a given time, or an extrapolation of that data, such as the average pressure over a period, or weather forecasts, such as predicting air pressure at some future time.

In addition to these isolines, various types of graphs used in thermodynamics, engineering, and other sciences use isobars (to show constant pressures), isotherms (constant temperatures), isochors (for specific constant volumes), or other types of isolines (or curves), although these graphs are not generally related to maps. Those isolines are useful for representing more than two dimensions (or quantities) in two-dimensional graphs. The most common examples in thermodynamics are some types of phase diagram.

• - Isochasm: Equal occurrence of the polar aurora.

• - Isophotes: illuminance.

• - Detection of the edges of level sets by segmentation "Segmentation (image processing)") of images:

• Level set method

• Edge detector.

• - Active contour model.

To maximize the readability of contour maps, several layout options are available to the map creator, primarily line weight, line color, line type, and numerical marking method.

Line weight is simply the level of darkness or thickness of the line used. This choice is made based on the least intrusive outline shape that allows the reader to decipher the background information of the map itself. If there is little or no content in the basemap, contour lines can be drawn relatively thick. Additionally, in many forms of contour lines, such as topographic maps, it is common to vary the weight and/or color of the line, so that a different line characteristic is produced for certain numerical values. For example, on the topographic map above, elevations of one hundred even feet are shown with a different weight than intervals of twenty feet.

The line color is the choice of whatever number of pigments suits the display. A sheen or sheen&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sheen (paint) (not yet redacted)" is sometimes used in addition to color to differentiate contour lines from the base map.) The color of the lines may vary to show other information.

Line type refers to whether the basic contour line is solid, dashed, dotted, or broken into some other pattern to create the desired effect. Dashed or dashed lines are often used when the underlying basemap conveys very important (or difficult to read) information. Broken line types are used when inferring the location of the contour line.

The numeric marking is the way to denote the arithmetic values ​​of the contour lines. This can be done by placing numbers along some of the contour lines, usually using interpolation for the intermediate lines. You can also produce a map key that associates the contour lines with their values.

If the contours are not numerically labeled and adjacent lines have the same style (with the same weight, color, and type), then the direction of the gradient cannot be determined from the contours alone. However, if the contour lines pass through three or more styles, then the direction of the gradient can be determined from the lines. The orientation of numeric text labels is often used to indicate the direction of slope.

• - Scientific visualization.

• - Contour curve.

• - Isosurface.