Strategy for Effective Visualization of CFD Datasets in Virtual Environments
Tamer M. Wasfy, Ayman M. Wasfy · 2003
A strategy for effective visualization of CFD datasets in virtual environments (VEs) is presented. The VE is driven by an object-oriented scene-graph-based toolkit. The key elements of the proposed visualization strategy are: (a) strategic use of global and local visualization objects; (b) effective use of multimodal interfaces including hierarchical GUIs and naturallanguage voice commands; (c) a general efficient point search algorithm that allows constructing the visualization objects at interactive frame rates. The global visualization objects include arrays of stream lines/ribbons/volumes, colored/contoured surfaces; volume arrows; iso-surfaces; vortex cores and boundary layer visualization objects (including surfacerestricted streamlines and separation/attachment lines). The local visualization objects include: stream lines/ribbons/volumes probes; colored/contoured surfaces; elevation surfaces; surface arrows; local iso-surfaces, crosssection line probes, and 2D graphs. Primitive response quantities such as pressure, velocity and density as well as derived quantities such as Mach number, pressure gradient, and shock waves can be used in all visualizations.