Cinematic Visualization of Multiresolution Data: Ytini for Adaptive Mesh Refinement in Houdini

Abstract

We have entered the era of large multidimensional datasets represented by increasingly complex data structures. Current tools for scientific visualization are not optimized to efficiently and intuitively create cinematic production quality, time-evolving representations of numerical data for broad impact science communication via film, media, or journalism. To present such data in a cinematic environment, it is advantageous to develop methods that integrate these complex data structures into industry standard visual effects software packages, which provide a myriad of control features otherwise unavailable in traditional scientific visualization software.

A New View of Observed Galaxies through 3D Modelling and Visualisation

“…Such fly-through movies, or even interactive exploration of single galaxies or galaxy groups, are envisaged to provide new opportunities for visual discovery such as those discussed in Section 6. We believe it may also be interesting to explore the combination of our modelling approach with more cinematic rendering tools, such as utilised in the works of [36,6], relaxing the requirements on physical realism to improve visual impact for outreach purposes.…”

“…Our work, by contrast, is based on reconstruction and visualisation of 3D structure based on 2D observed images. We place emphasis on physical realism in our visualisation, by exploiting scientifically robust parameters where possible in our modelling and visualisation (discussed further in Section 7), other works have focused on achieving visual realism of scientific data through advanced rendering techniques, exploiting rendering software typically used in movie production to generate impressive cinematic visualisations of astrophysical data [36,6].…”

Multiscale modeling and cinematic visualization of photosynthetic energy conversion processes from electronic to cell scales

“…Communicating a complex biophysical process to a lay audience requires elements beyond those needed in an exploratory visualization aimed at a scientific audience [20]. A balance between accuracy and comprehensibility was sought by the team in conceptualizing, researching, designing, choreographing, writing narration scripts, and testing audiences iteratively for this explanatory visualization.…”

Visualization in Astrophysics: Developing New Methods, Discovering Our Universe, and Educating the Earth

“…Borkiewicz et al . [BNL19] presented a method for creating cinematic visualizations and time‐evolving representations of astronomy data that are both educational and aesthetically pleasing. The paper also provided a detailed workflow of importing nested, multi‐resolution adaptive mesh refinement data into Houdini.…”

“…Houdini is a compelling alternative to other rendering software (e.g., Maya and Blender) for astronomy because it produces high-quality volume renderings and supports a variety of data types. Borkiewicz et al [BNL19] presented a method for creating cinematic visualizations and time-evolving representations of astronomy data that are both educational and aesthetically pleasing. The paper also provided a detailed workflow of importing nested, multiresolution adaptive mesh refinement data into Houdini.…”