Title :
A Coherent Grid Traversal Approach to Visualizing Particle-Based Simulation Data
Author :
Gribble, Christiaan P. ; Ize, Thiago ; Kensler, Andrew ; Wald, Ingo ; Parker, Steven G.
Author_Institution :
Grove City Coll., Grove
Abstract :
We present an approach to visualizing particle-based simulation data using interactive ray tracing and describe an algorithmic enhancement that exploits the properties of these data sets to provide highly interactive performance and reduced storage requirements. This algorithm for fast packet-based ray tracing of multilevel grids enables the interactive visualization of large time-varying data sets with millions of particles and incorporates advanced features like soft shadows. We compare the performance of our approach with two recent particle visualization systems: one based on an optimized single ray grid traversal algorithm and the other on programmable graphics hardware. This comparison demonstrates that the new algorithm offers an attractive alternative for interactive particle visualization.
Keywords :
computational geometry; data visualisation; ray tracing; rendering (computer graphics); coherent grid traversal algorithm; computational geometry; interactive particle visualization; interactive ray tracing; particle-based simulation data; programmable graphics hardware; Biological system modeling; Computational modeling; Computer simulation; Data visualization; Geometry; Graphics; Hardware; Isosurfaces; Ray tracing; Rendering (computer graphics); Particle visualization; coherent grid traversal; interactive ray tracing; large and time-varying particle data sets.; Algorithms; Colloids; Computer Graphics; Computer Simulation; Image Enhancement; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Information Storage and Retrieval; Models, Theoretical; Particle Size; Rheology;
Journal_Title :
Visualization and Computer Graphics, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TVCG.2007.1059
