Dense Geometric Flow Visualization

Flow visualization has a long tradition in scientific data visualization. Approaches for 3D vector fields however have only recently experienced a boost due to the introduction of programmable graphics hardware with large texture memory. Consequently, volumetric flow visualization has entered many disciplines of science and engineering including mechanics, physics, chemistry, meteorology, geology, and medicine. Many applications are concerned with steady or unsteady flow over 2D or 3D domains. By adopting ideas from texture-based techniques and taking advantage of parallelism and programmability of contemporary graphics hardware, we introduce a dense geometric flow visualization technique based on streamlines and pathlines addressing both steady and unsteady flow. The lines are computed using a trajectory-based particleadvection method. We achieve high numerical accuracy by enforcing short particle lifetimes and employing a fourth-order integration method. Along with line integration, we apply rendering techniques such as streamline illumination, mutli-dimensional transfer functions (MDTFs)[Park et al. 2004], and haloing all in the graphics hardware to enhance visualization and achieve interactivity.