Real-time interactive visualization and manipulation of the volumetric data using GPU-based methods

Abstract

This work presents a set of tools developed to provide 3D visualization and interaction with large volumetric data that relies on recent programmable capabilities of consumer-level graphics cards. We are exploiting the programmable control of calculations performed by the graphics hardware for generating the appearance of each pixel on the screen to develop real-time, interactive volume manipulation tools. These tools allow real-time modification of visualization parameters, such as color and opacity classification or the selection of a volume of interest, extending the benefit of hardware acceleration beyond display, namely for computation of voxel visibility. Three interactive tools are proposed: a cutting tool that allows the selection of a convex volume of interest, an eraser-like tool to eliminate non-relevant parts of the image and a digger-like tool that allows the user to eliminate layers of a 3D image. To interactively apply the proposed tools on a volume, we are making use of some so known user interaction techniques, as the ones used in 2D painting systems. Our strategy is to minimize the user entrainment efforts involved in the tools learning. Finally, we illustrate the potential application of the conceived tools for preoperative planning of liver surgery and for liver vascular anatomy study. Preliminary results concerning the system performance and the images quality and resolution are presented and discussed.

Non-convex polyhedral volume of interest selection

“…Darrah et al [19] propose a method to construct convex polyhedral selections by selecting points in 3D and using their convex hull as the VOI. Dietrich et al [20] suggest a combination of using a convex polyhedron and voxel based sculpting. Using polyhedra for interactive volume selection has been proposed multiple times, but to our knowledge, their key benefit has not been exploited so far, namely that polyhedra are able to describe non-convex shapes.…”

Erasing, digging and clipping in volumetric datasets with one or two hands

“…An earlier work [Dietrich et al 2004], presents the implementation of GPU-based sculpting tools based on a 2D interaction paradigm, using a conventional mouse. The present paper describes three sculpting tools that fully operate in 3D: eraser, digger and clipper .…”

Dynamic concision for three-dimensional reconstruction of human organ built with virtual reality modelling language (VRML)

“…Surface rendering usually only offers the appearance of human organs, while volume rendering always provides clear observation of several limited inner soft tissues. Moreover, most existing algorithms whether for surface or volume rendering are complicated to a certain extent in that they cannot be used away from special workstations and the attached software platforms which usually have high demand in workstations and thus hamper all kinds of 3D interaction of models and their further application in PC platforms (Dietrich et al, 2004;Huang and Dony, 2004). Furthermore, most existing algorithms involve the interpolation method to get equal sample spacing in all directions, as the spacing between slices is greater than the spacing between points on a slice.…”