title: A coherent grid traversal approach to visualizing particle-based simulation data.
abstract: We present an approach to visualizing particle-based simulation data using interactive ray tracing and describe an algorithmic enhancement that exploits the properties of these data sets to provide highly interactive performance and reduced storage requirements. This algorithm for fast packet-based ray tracing of multilevel grids enables the interactive visualization of large time-varying data sets with millions of particles and incorporates advanced features like soft shadows. We compare the performance of our approach with two recent particle visualization systems: one based on an optimized single ray grid traversal algorithm and the other on programmable graphics hardware. This comparison demonstrates that the new algorithm offers an attractive alternative for interactive particle visualization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Grove City College, Grove City, PA 16127, USA. cpgribble@gcc.edu
authors.forename: Christiaan P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Gribble
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ize
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kensler
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wald
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010316:Particle Size; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids