title: High-quality slab-based intermixing method for fusion rendering of multiple medical objects.
abstract: The visualization of multiple 3D objects has been increasingly required for recent applications in medical fields. Due to the heterogeneity in data representation or data configuration, it is difficult to efficiently render multiple medical objects in high quality. In this paper, we present a novel intermixing scheme for fusion rendering of multiple medical objects while preserving the real-time performance. First, we present an in-slab visibility interpolation method for the representation of subdivided slabs. Second, we introduce virtual zSlab, which extends an infinitely thin boundary (such as polygonal objects) into a slab with a finite thickness. Finally, based on virtual zSlab and in-slab visibility interpolation, we propose a slab-based visibility intermixing method with the newly proposed rendering pipeline. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method delivers more effective multiple-object renderings in terms of rendering quality, compared to conventional approaches. And proposed intermixing scheme provides high-quality intermixing results for the visualization of intersecting and overlapping surfaces by resolving aliasing and z-fighting problems. Moreover, two case studies are presented that apply the proposed method to the real clinical applications. These case studies manifest that the proposed method has the outstanding advantages of the rendering independency and reusability.
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, 599 Kwanak-ro, Kwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: korfriend@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dong-Joon
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeong gi-do 463-707, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bhkim@snubh.org.
authors.forename: Bohyoung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science & Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-Ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 156-743, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: leejeongjin@ssu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jeongjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Management Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeong gi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jsshin@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Juneseuk
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1, Pungnap-2 dong, Songpa-ku, Seoul 138-736, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kimkw@amc.seoul.kr.
authors.forename: Kyoung Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, 599 Kwanak-ro, Kwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yshin@cse.snu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Yeong-Gil
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D003765:Models, Dental; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Aliasing problem; Surface rendering; Virtual zSlab; Visibility interpolation; Volume rendering; Z-fighting problem