1. Introduction to Scientific Visualization
Katia Oleinik
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

2. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Topics
Introduction
Visualization techniques
Scientific data domains
Software packages and workflow
Conclusion
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

3. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
What is sci-vis?
Could mean many things (e.g., plotting, illustration)
Combination of 3-D graphics technology and human perception of objects in space
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4. The Visualization Pipeline
Math Proc Scientific visualization Computer Graphics
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

5. The Visualization Pipeline - Hardware
Field instruments
Scientists/programmers
 Supercomputers
 Graphics machines
 Publications, movies/DVDs, web Demos, educational software
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

6. The Visualization Pipeline - Software
Data acquisition and preparation
 Sci-vis tools
 Geometric Representation
Rendering
 Post-processing
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

7. Scalar data in 3D: As points
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8. Scalar data: Cutplanes
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9. Scalar data: Regions of Interest
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10. Scalar data: Isosurface w/ROI
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11. Transparent isosurface w/cutplanes
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12. Colored isosurface w/cutplanes
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13. Colored transp isosurface w/cutplanes
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14. Multi isosurfaces w/cutplanes
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15. Technique: Mapping onto isosurface
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16. Technique: Volume Visualization
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17. Vector data in 3D: Vector glyphs
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18. Technique: Vector field streaklines
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19. Technique: Vector field ribbons
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20. Scientific data domains
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21. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Regular grid topology
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22. Irregular grid topology
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23. Software Tools and the Pipeline
Data Matlab VTK OSG Maya IDL Paraview Performer OpenGL Gnuplot DAFFIE Display Wall Xmgrace Web Excel Photoshop Premier
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

24. Visualization Packages
Matlab for visualization
IDL
VTK
Paraview
OpenGL
OpenSceneGraph
Maya
DAFFIE and the display wall
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

25. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
MATLAB and IDL
General purpose numeric packages
Data analysis, simulation, mathematics
Include plotting and graphics
Command line / scripting
Commercial software (no source available)
Widely used and well supported
Available on SCF machines
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

26. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
VTK and ParaView
Scientific visualization packages
Open source
Widely used
Available on SCF machines
VTK is a library, many language bindings
Paraview GUI based, built on VTK
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

27. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
OpenGL
Widely supported at hardware level
Access to all graphics card features
Program from scratch
Only option for some large applications
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

28. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
OpenGL – primitives
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29. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
OpenSceneGraph
Program using scene graph paradigm
Lots of utility functions
Open source
OpenGL based
Similar to SGI Performer
Many utility functions
Notably, 3-D file readers
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30. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
OpenSceneGraph
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

31. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Maya screenshot
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

32. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Maya screenshot
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

33. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
The BU DVD Wall
24 projectors
24 Linux machines
Passive stereo
One “head node”
Localized sound
Wireless navigation
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

34. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Your Project
Describe your work in visual / geometric way?
What is goal, e.g., web, publication, presentation?
What is the time line?
How much learning time can you invest?
How much do you expect to use?
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35. Many possible workflows
Data Matlab VTK OpenGL Maya IDL Paraview OSG Photoshop Gnuplot DAFFIE Performer Premier Xmgrace Excel
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

36. Example workflow – molecular dynamics
Simulation creates data files
Molecule x,y,z + type
 colored spheres (C program)
Electron density as volume data
 isosurfaces (IDL)  .obj files
Rendered in Maya
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

37. Example workflow – pressure on turbine
Simulation run on supercomputer
Produced many Plot3d files
C code transforms data to .obj files
Rendered in Maya
Processed using Imagemagick for DVD Wall movies
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38. Example workflow – showing entropy
Iso-surfaces in IDL
Convert output into .obj
Render in Maya, with transparency
View in 3D on Wall
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39. Example workflow – stretched water
Given positions of atoms in water
How to show “holes”?
Construct volume data of distance
Use volume visualization
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40. Example workflow – CISM
Researchers used OpenDX
SCV staff modified OpenDX networks
Produced wall movies and demos
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41. Example workflow – Corporate Connections
Researchers provided data
SCV staff wrote custom viewing code
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42. Artworld “family portrait”
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

43. Visualization Tutorials
Introduction to Scientific Visualization
Scientific Visualization Using ParaView
Scientific Visualization Using VTK
Scientific Visualization Using MATLAB
Graphics Programming in C/C++: OpenGL and OpenSceneGraph
Introduction to Maya [CAS 327]
Graphics and Images for Publication and Presentation
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial

44. IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial
Conclusion
Contact me: Katia Oleinik–
Tutorial presentations and examples online:
Online evaluation:
IS&T Scientific Visualization Tutorial