Apparatus and method for real-time volume visualization

Details Apparatus and method for real-time volume visualization Apparatus and method for real-time volume visualization

1994-09-06

1997-01-14

Zimmerman, Mark K.

395502, G06T 1700

Patent

active

055948421

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for providing real-time processing of voxels and real-time volume visualization of objects and scenes in a highly parallel and pipelined manner using a three dimensional (3-D) skewed memory, a modular fast bus, two dimensional (2-D) skewed buffers, 3-D interpolation and shading of data points, and a ray projection cone. The method and apparatus permit investigation and viewing of real-time static (3-D) and dynamic (4-D) high resolution volumetric data sets such as those found in medical imaging, biology, non-destructive quality assurance, scientific visualization, computer aided design (CAD), flight simulation, realistic graphics and the like. The method and apparatus implement ray-casting, a powerful volume rendering technique. Viewing rays are cast from the viewing position into a cubic frame buffer. At evenly spaced sample points along each viewing ray, the data is tri-linearly interpolated using values of surrounding voxels. Central differences of voxels around the sample points yield a gradient which is used as a surface normal approximation. Using the gradient and the interpolated sample values, a local shading model is applied and a sample opacity is assigned. Finally, ray samples along the ray are composited into pixel values and provided to a display device to produce an image.

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