A Data Distributed Parallel Algorithm For Ray Traced Volume Rendering

This paper presents a divide-and-conquer ray-traced volume rendering algorithm and a parallel image compositing method, along with their implementation and performance on the Connection Machine CM-5, and networked workstations. This algorithm distributes both the data and the computations to individual processing units to achieve fast, high-quality rendering of high-resolution data. The volume data, once distributed, is left intact. The processing nodes perform local ray tracing of their subvolume concurrently. No communication between processing units is needed during this locally ray-tracing process. A subimage is generated by each processing unit and the final image is obtained by compositing subimages in the proper order, which can be determined a priori. Test results on both the CM-5 and a group of networked workstations demonstrate the practicality of our rendering algorithm and compositing method. Ma, Kwan-Liu and Painter, James S. and Hansen, Charles D. and Krogh, Michael F. Unspecified Center NAS1-19480; RTOP 505-90-52-01...

Abstract: "This paper presents a divide-and-conquer ray-traced volume rendering algorithm and a parallel image compositing method, along with their implementation and performance on the Connection Machine CM-5, and networked workstations. This algoritm distributes both the data and the computations to individual processing units to achieve fast, high- quality rendering of high-resolution data. The volume data, once distributed, is left intact. The processing nodes perform local raytracing of their subvolume concurrently. No communication between processing units is needed during this locally ray-tracing process. A subimage is generated by each processing unit and the final image is obtained by compositing subimages in the proper order, which can be determined a priori. Test results on both the CM-5 and a group of networked workstations demonstrate the practicality of our rendering algorithm and compositing method."

Proceedings -- Parallel Computing.

The four-volume set LNCS 3480-3483 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications, ICCSA 2005, held in Singapore in May 2005. The four volumes present a total of 540 papers selected from around 2700 submissions. The papers span the whole range of computational science, comprising advanced applications in virtually all sciences making use of computational techniques as well as foundations, techniques, and methodologies from computer science and mathematics, such as high performance computing and communication, networking, optimization, information systems and technologies, scientific visualization, graphics, image processing, data analysis, simulation and modelling, software systems, algorithms, security, multimedia etc.

Visualization and analysis tools, techniques, and algorithms have undergone a rapid evolution in recent decades to accommodate explosive growth in data size and complexity and to exploit emerging multi- and many-core computational platforms. High Performance Visualization: Enabling Extreme-Scale Scientific Insight focuses on the subset of scientifi

Geometric Modeling and Scientific Visualization are both established disciplines, each with their own series of workshops, conferences and journals. But clearly both disciplines overlap; this observation led to the idea of composing a book on Geometric Modeling for Scientific Visualization.

Few fields have witnessed such impressive advances as the application of computer technology to radiology. The progress achieved has revolutionized diagnosis and greatly facilitated treatment selection and accurate planning of procedures. This book, written by leading experts from many different countries, provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of 3D image processing. The first section covers a wide range of technical aspects in an informative way. This is followed by the main section, in which the principal clinical applications are described and discussed in depth. To complete the picture, the final section focuses on recent developments in functional imaging and computer-aided surgery. This book will prove invaluable to all who have an interest in this complex but vitally important field.

Parallel & Distributed Computer Graphics