Scientific Visualization

The goal of scientific visualization the use of computer graphics to create visual images which aid in understanding of complex, often massive numerical representation of scientific concepts or results. The main focus of this class is on techniques applicable to spatial data, in particular to scalar fields (for example, height fields or 3D images such as CT scans), vector fields and tensor fields. The class does not require prior computer graphics experience.

Topics covered in class include:

Scalar fields
- Volume rendering
- Isosurfaces
- Scalar field topology
- Histograms, scatter plots, parallel coordinates in scalar field analysis
Vector fields
- Texture-based approaches, such as Line Integral Convolution and Texture Advection
- Sparse streamline sets, for example image-based streamline placement or farthest point based heuristic
- Vector field topology
- Generalizations to tensor fields
- Visualization of curve families, e.g. stylized line primitives or depth-dependent halos

Sample projects

Sample term projects