Interactive 3D Flow Visualization Based on Textures and Geometric Primitives

Information

• Publication Type: PhD-Thesis
• Workgroup(s)/Project(s):
  • VRVis Competence Center
• Date: 2004
• Date (Start): July 2001
• Date (End): December 2004
• First Supervisor: Helwig Hauser

Abstract

This thesis presents research in the area of flow visualization. The theoretical framework is based on the notion that flow visualization methodology can be classified into four main areas: direct, geometric, texture-based, and feature-based flow visualization. Our work focuses on the direct, geometric, and texture-based categories, with special emphasis on texture-based approaches.

After presenting the state-of-the-art, we discuss a technique for resampling of CFD simulation data. The resampling tool addresses both the perceptual problems resulting from a brute force hedgehog visualization and flow field coverage problems. These challenges are handled by giving the user control of the resolution of the resampling grid in object space and giving the user precise control of where to place the vector glyphs.

Afterward, we present a novel technique for visualization of unsteady flow on surfaces from computational fluid dynamics. The method generates dense representations of time-dependent vector fields with high spatio-temporal correlation. While the 3D vector fields are associated with arbitrary triangular surface meshes, the generation and advection of texture properties is confined to image space. Frame rates of up to 60 frames per second are realized by exploiting graphics card hardware. We apply this algorithm to unsteady flow on boundary surfaces of, large, complex meshes from computational fluid dynamics composed of more than 200,000 polygons, dynamic meshes with time-dependent geometry and topology, as well as medical data. We also apply texture-based flow visualization techniques to isosurfaces. The result is a combination of two well known scientific visualization techniques, namely iso-surfacing and texture-based flow visualization, into a useful hybrid approach.

Next we describe our collection of geometric flow visualization techniques including oriented streamlines, streamlets, a streamrunner tool, streamcomets, and a real-time animated streamline technique. We place special emphasis on necessary measures required in order for geometric techniques to be applicable to real-world data sets.

In order to demonstrate the use of all techniques, we apply our direct, geometric, and texture-based flow visualization techniques to investigate swirl and tumble motion, two flow patterns found commonly in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Our work presents a visual analysis of these motions across three spatial domains: 2D slices, 2.5D surfaces, and 3D.

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BibTeX

@phdthesis{Laramee-2004-thesis,
  title =      "Interactive 3D Flow Visualization Based on Textures and
               Geometric Primitives",
  author =     "Robert S. Laramee",
  year =       "2004",
  abstract =   "This thesis presents research in the area of flow
               visualization. The theoretical framework is based on the
               notion that flow visualization methodology can be classified
               into four main areas: direct, geometric, texture-based, and
               feature-based flow visualization. Our work focuses on the
               direct, geometric, and texture-based categories, with
               special emphasis on texture-based approaches.  After
               presenting the state-of-the-art, we discuss a technique for
               resampling of CFD simulation data. The resampling tool
               addresses both the perceptual problems resulting from a
               brute force hedgehog visualization and flow field coverage
               problems. These challenges are handled by giving the user
               control of the resolution of the resampling grid in object
               space and giving the user precise control of where to place
               the vector glyphs.  Afterward, we present a novel technique
               for visualization of unsteady flow on surfaces from
               computational fluid dynamics. The method generates dense
               representations of time-dependent vector fields with high
               spatio-temporal correlation. While the 3D vector fields are
               associated with arbitrary triangular surface meshes, the
               generation and advection of texture properties is confined
               to image space. Frame rates of up to 60 frames per second
               are realized by exploiting graphics card hardware. We apply
               this algorithm to unsteady flow on boundary surfaces of,
               large, complex meshes from computational fluid dynamics
               composed of more than 200,000 polygons, dynamic meshes with
               time-dependent geometry and topology, as well as medical
               data. We also apply texture-based flow visualization
               techniques to isosurfaces. The result is a combination of
               two well known scientific visualization techniques, namely
               iso-surfacing and texture-based flow visualization, into a
               useful hybrid approach.  Next we describe our collection of
               geometric flow visualization techniques including oriented
               streamlines, streamlets, a streamrunner tool, streamcomets,
               and a real-time animated streamline technique. We place
               special emphasis on necessary measures required in order for
               geometric techniques to be applicable to real-world data
               sets.  In order to demonstrate the use of all techniques, we
               apply our direct, geometric, and texture-based flow
               visualization techniques to investigate swirl and tumble
               motion, two flow patterns found commonly in computational
               fluid dynamics (CFD). Our work presents a visual analysis of
               these motions across three spatial domains: 2D slices, 2.5D
               surfaces, and 3D. ",
  address =    "Favoritenstrasse 9-11/E193-02, A-1040 Vienna, Austria",
  school =     "Institute of Computer Graphics and Algorithms, Vienna
               University of Technology ",
  URL =        "https://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/publications/2004/Laramee-2004-thesis/",
}