Grouping volume renderers for enhanced visualization in computational fluid dynamics

This paper advocates the use of a group of renderers rather than any specific rendering method. We describe a bundle containing four alternative approaches to visualizing volume data. One new approach uses realistic volumetric gas rendering techniques to produce photo-realistic images and animations. The second uses ray casting that is based on a simpler illumination model and is mainly centered around a versatile new tool for the design of transfer functions. The third method employs a simple illumination model and rapid rendering mechanisms to provide efficient preview capabilities. The last one reduces data magnitude by displaying the most visible components and exploits rendering hardware to provide real time browsing capabilities. We show that each rendering tool provides a unique service and demonstrate the combined utility of our group of volume renderers in computational fluid dynamic (CFD) visualization. While one tool allows the explorer to render rapidly for navigation through the data, another tool allows one to emphasize data features (e.g., shock waves), and yet another tool allows one to realistically render the data. We believe that only through the deployment of groups of renderers will the scientist be well served and equipped to form numerous perspectives of the same dataset, each providing different insights into the data.