Fast volume rendering with adjustable color maps

Abstract

In scientific visualization, it is necessary to visualize the distribution of a scalar field by using adjustable color maps in conjunction with a pseudo-color display. This paper proposes a method for fast direct volume rendering when color maps undergo change. The method pre-calculates basis images that are independent from the color maps. The rendered images for an arbitrary color map are then generated by compositing the basis images. The proposed method makes possible interactive observation of changing color maps with a fixed viewpoint.