Graph-based interactive volume exploration. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ponciano, Daniel; Seefelder, Marcos; Marroquim, Ricardo
• Is Part Of: Computers & graphics. Volume 60(2016)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Volume exploration -- Graph algorithms; Computer graphics -- Periodicals; 006.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cag.2016.06.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0097-8493

Abstract

Abstract: The exploration of volumetric datasets is a challenging task due to its three-dimensional nature. Segmenting or classifying the volume helps to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, but there remains the issue of searching through the feature space in order to find regions of interest. This problem is aggravated when the relation between scalar values and spatial features is unclear or unknown. To aid in the identification and selection of significant structures, interactive exploration methods are important, as they help to correlate the volumetric rendering with the scalar data domain. In this work, we present a semi-automatic method for exploring volumetric datasets using a graph-based approach. First, we automatically classify the volume from a 2D histogram, following ideas from previous proposals. Then, through a graph structure with dynamic edge weights, a hierarchy is generated to identify similar structures. The final hierarchy allows for an interactive and in-depth volume exploration by splitting, joining or removing regions in real-time. Abstract : Graphical abstract: Abstract : Highlights: A graph-based hierarchy built from a pre-segmentation of the volumetric dataset. Allows for an interactive exploration of the volume using simple operations. Achieves a visual comprehension of the dataset with a few interactions.