GMS:Isosurfaces: Difference between revisions

From XMS Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
 
(49 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Iso-surface rendering is a powerful tool for visualizing 3D data sets. Iso-surfaces can be generated for 3D grids and 3D meshes. An iso-surface is the 3D equivalent of a contour line. While a contour line is a line of constant value extracted from a surface, an iso-surface is a surface of constant value extracted from a 3D data set.
Isosurface rendering is a powerful tool for visualizing 3D datasets. Isosurfaces can be generated for 3D grids and 3D meshes. An isosurface is the 3D equivalent of a contour line. While a contour line is a line of constant value extracted from a surface, an isosurface is a surface of constant value extracted from a 3D dataset.


===Defining Iso-values===
===Defining Isovalues===
Iso-surfaces are computed using the active scalar data set for the grid or mesh. The Iso-surface Options dialog is accessed through the Iso-surface Options command in the Data menu or through a button in the 3D Grid Display Options or 3D Mesh Display Options dialogs. The items in the Iso-surface Options dialog are as follows:
Isosurfaces are computed using the active scalar dataset for the grid or mesh. The ''Isosurface'' Options dialog is accessed through the '''Isosurface Options''' command in the ''Grid'' menu or through a button in the ''3D Grid Display Options'' or ''3D Mesh Display Options'' dialogs. The items in the ''Isosurface Options'' dialog are as follows:


=====Active Data Set=====
=====Active Dataset=====
At the top of the dialog the active scalar data set and active time step is listed. The maximum and minimum data set values are also listed.
At the top of the dialog the active scalar dataset and active time step is listed. The maximum and minimum dataset values are also listed.


=====Iso-Values=====
=====Isovalues=====
In the next section of the dialog the number of iso-surfaces and the iso-values are defined. A maximum of 12 iso-surfaces may be created. The Default button can be used to automatically set up a number of iso-values. For example, if the number of iso-surfaces is three and the button is selected, three iso-values, equally spaced between the maximum and minimum data set values are generated.
In the next section of the dialog the number of isosurfaces and the isovalues are defined. A maximum of 12 isosurfaces may be created. The '''Default''' button can be used to automatically set up a number of isovalues. For example, if the number of isosurfaces is three and the button is selected, three isovalues, equally spaced between the maximum and minimum dataset values are generated.


[[Image:isosurf_ss.jpg|center]]
{{hide in print|[[Image:isosurf_ss.jpg|center]]}}
{{only in print|[[Image:isosurf_ss.jpg|center|150px]]}}


=====Fill Between=====
=====Fill Between=====
The Fill Between boxes to the right of the iso-values are used to generate surfaces on the exterior of the mesh or grid between two iso-values. For example, in part a of the figure shown below, two iso-surfaces have been generated using two iso-values. The image shown in part b was computed using the same iso-values and with the Fill Between box checked similar to figure d below. This causes the region of the mesh or grid boundary between the two iso-values to be defined as surfaces. The image shown in part c was generated using a single iso-value with the Fill Between box checked on the line after the iso-value like figure e. This causes the boundary with data set values greater than the specified value to be defined as surfaces.
The ''Fill Between'' boxes to the right of the isovalues are used to generate surfaces on the exterior of the mesh or grid between two isovalues. For example, in part (a) of the figure shown below, two isosurfaces have been generated using two isovalues. The image shown in part (b) was computed using the same isovalues and with the ''Fill Between'' box checked similar to figure (d) below. This causes the region of the mesh or grid boundary between the two isovalues to be defined as surfaces. The image shown in part (c) was generated using a single isovalue with the ''Fill Between'' box checked on the line after the isovalue like figure (e). This causes the boundary with dataset values greater than the specified value to be defined as surfaces.
{|
{|
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Image:isosurface.gif]]||[[Image:iso_ss.jpg]]||(d)
|rowspan="2"|[[Image:isosurface.png|frame|none|]]||{{only in print|[[Image:iso_ss.jpg|frame|(d)|200px]]}}{{hide in print|[[Image:iso_ss.jpg|frame|(d)]]}}||
|-
|-
|[[Image:iso_cap.jpg]]||(e)
|{{only in print|[[Image:iso_cap.jpg|frame|(e)|200px]]}}{{hide in print|[[Image:iso_cap.jpg|frame|(e)]]}}||
|
|
|}
|}
''Iso-Surfaces (a) No Fill (b) Fill Between Two Iso-Values (c) Fill Above or Below an Iso-Value (d) Filling between 2 iso-surfaces (e) Filling above an iso-surface.''
''Isosurfaces (a) No Fill (b) Fill Between Two Isovalues (c) Fill Above or Below an Isovalue (d) Filling between 2 isosurfaces (e) Filling above an isosurface.''
 
====Transparency====
 
Transparency can be specified for each Isosurface. Transparency affects the display of isosurface faces.


===Define as Cross-Section===
===Define as Cross-Section===
Like contour lines, iso-surfaces are temporary in nature. In other words, if the active data set is changed, the current iso-surfaces are deleted and new iso-surfaces are computed using the new data set values. In some cases, it is useful to create an iso-surface as a permanent object. This can be accomplished by selecting the Define as cross section option in the Iso-surface Options dialog. This causes the computed iso-surfaces to be treated as cross sections. As cross sections, these iso-surfaces can be saved to a file, hidden, or deleted. In addition, if a new data set is selected, the iso-surfaces are not deleted. In fact, the values associated with the new data set are interpolated to the cross section iso-surfaces and can be displayed on the iso-surfaces as color fringes or contours. This makes it possible to effectively display two data sets at once.
Like contour lines, isosurfaces are temporary in nature. In other words, if the active dataset is changed, the current isosurfaces are deleted and new isosurfaces are computed using the new dataset values. In some cases, it is useful to create an isosurface as a permanent object. This can be accomplished by selecting the ''Define as Cross-section'' option in the ''Isosurface Options'' dialog. This causes the computed isosurfaces to be treated as cross sections. As cross sections, these isosurfaces can be saved to a file, hidden, or deleted. In addition, if a new dataset is selected, the isosurfaces are not deleted. In fact, the values associated with the new dataset are interpolated to the cross section isosurfaces and can be displayed on the isosurfaces as color fringes or contours. This makes it possible to effectively display two datasets at once.


===Interior Edge Removal===
===Interior Edge Removal===
By default, whenever an iso-surface is computed from a mesh or a grid, the lines corresponding to the intersection of the iso-surface with the cell or element boundaries are displayed on the iso-surfaces. If the Interior edge removal option is selected, only the edges on the iso-surface corresponding to a feature angle break greater than the specified value are displayed on the iso-surface. For example, if the feature angle were set at 30.00 degrees, the angle formed by the two polygonal faces adjacent to each edge in the iso-surface would be checked and only those edges where the computed angle is less than 180 - 30 = 150 degrees would be displayed. Typically, a small value (e.g., 0.001) is used so that only the edges adjacent to two coplanar faces are removed (made invisible).
By default, whenever an isosurface is computed from a mesh or a grid, the lines corresponding to the intersection of the isosurface with the cell or element boundaries are displayed on the isosurfaces. If the ''Interior edge removal'' option is selected, only the edges on the isosurface corresponding to a feature angle break greater than the specified value are displayed on the isosurface. For example, if the feature angle were set at 30.00 degrees, the angle formed by the two polygonal faces adjacent to each edge in the isosurface would be checked and only those edges where the computed angle is less than 180 - 30 = 150 degrees would be displayed. Typically, a small value (e.g., 0.001) is used so that only the edges adjacent to two coplanar faces are removed (made invisible).


===Visible Region Only Option===
===Visible Region Only Option===
If the Compute for visible region only option is chosen, the iso-surfaces are not computed in regions where the cells or elements are not visible. Otherwise, iso-surfaces are computed for all regions of the mesh or grid.
If the ''Compute for visible region only'' option is chosen, the isosurfaces are not computed in regions where the cells or elements are not visible. Otherwise, isosurfaces are computed for all regions of the mesh or grid.


===Iso-Surface Edges===
===Isosurface Edges===
If this option is on, the lines that make up the iso-surface are displayed.
If this option is on, the lines that make up the isosurface are displayed.


===Iso-Surface Faces===
===Isosurface Faces===
If this option is on, the iso-surface is displayed a color-filled surface.
If this option is on, the isosurface is displayed a color-filled surface.


===Specify Range===
===Specify Range===
The specified range command allows the user to control the minimum and maximum value used to define the colors assigned to the iso-surfaces.
The ''Contour specified range'' command allows controlling the minimum and maximum value used to define the colors assigned to the isosurfaces.
 


==Isosurface Volumes==
==Isosurface Volumes==
The volume within an iso-surface or the volume between two iso-surfaces is computed using the '''''Iso-Surface Volume''''' command in the '''''Data''''' menu. This command brings up a dialog with a list of iso-values and volumes. The listed iso-values correspond to the iso-values defined in the Iso-Surface Options dialog. The listed volumes represent the volumes between each of the iso-values. For example, the first volume represents the volume below (on the "low" side of) the lowest iso-value, the second volume represents the volume between the first and second iso-values, etc. The total volume listed at the bottom of the dialog should correspond to the total volume of the grid or mesh.
The volume within an isosurface or the volume between two isosurfaces is computed using the '''Isosurface Volume''' command in the ''Grid'' menu. This command brings up a dialog with a list of isovalues and volumes. The listed isovalues correspond to the isovalues defined in the ''Isosurface Options'' dialog. The listed volumes represent the volumes between each of the isovalues. For example, the first volume represents the volume below (on the "low" side of) the lowest isovalue, the second volume represents the volume between the first and second isovalues, etc. The total volume listed at the bottom of the dialog should correspond to the total volume of the grid or mesh.


{{Version GMS 7.0}}
Beginning with GMS 7.0 the ''Isosurface Volumes'' dialog has changed to display a single volume associated with each isosurface. In addition to showing a single volume, it also possible to view the volume of the cells (or elements) that are less than the isovalue, the volume of the cells that are greater than the isovalue, and the volume of the cells intersected by the isosurface by turning on the ''Display additional volume information'' toggle. In some cases GMS is unable to compute the volume of the isosurface. In those cases there is still an estimate of the isosurface volume by looking at the volume of the cells. The volume of the cells should be close to the volume of the isosurface when the grid (or mesh) is composed of very "small" cells. The difference between the isosurface volume and the volume of the cells decreases as the size of the cells decreases.
Beginning with GMS 7.0 the Isosurface Volumes dialog has changed to display a single volume associated with each isosurface. In addition to showing a single volume, the user can also view the volume of the cells (or elements) that are less than the isovalue, the volume of the cells that are greater than the isovalue, and the volume of the cells intersected by the isosurface by turning on the Display additional volume information toggle. In some cases GMS is unable to compute the volume of the isosurface. In those cases the user can still have an estimate of the isosurface volume by looking at the volume of the cells. The volume of the cells should be close to the volume of the isosurface when the grid (or mesh) is composed of very "small" cells. The difference between the isosurface volume and the volume of the cells decreases as the size of the cells decreases.


==See also==
==See also==


*[[GMS:Data Sets|Data Sets]]
*[[GMS:Datasets|Datasets]]




{{Navbox GMS}}
{{Navbox GMS}}
[[Category:3D Mesh Dialogs]]
[[Category:3D Mesh]]
[[Category:Needs Update]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 31 March 2022

Isosurface rendering is a powerful tool for visualizing 3D datasets. Isosurfaces can be generated for 3D grids and 3D meshes. An isosurface is the 3D equivalent of a contour line. While a contour line is a line of constant value extracted from a surface, an isosurface is a surface of constant value extracted from a 3D dataset.

Defining Isovalues

Isosurfaces are computed using the active scalar dataset for the grid or mesh. The Isosurface Options dialog is accessed through the Isosurface Options command in the Grid menu or through a button in the 3D Grid Display Options or 3D Mesh Display Options dialogs. The items in the Isosurface Options dialog are as follows:

Active Dataset

At the top of the dialog the active scalar dataset and active time step is listed. The maximum and minimum dataset values are also listed.

Isovalues

In the next section of the dialog the number of isosurfaces and the isovalues are defined. A maximum of 12 isosurfaces may be created. The Default button can be used to automatically set up a number of isovalues. For example, if the number of isosurfaces is three and the button is selected, three isovalues, equally spaced between the maximum and minimum dataset values are generated.

Isosurf ss.jpg


Fill Between

The Fill Between boxes to the right of the isovalues are used to generate surfaces on the exterior of the mesh or grid between two isovalues. For example, in part (a) of the figure shown below, two isosurfaces have been generated using two isovalues. The image shown in part (b) was computed using the same isovalues and with the Fill Between box checked similar to figure (d) below. This causes the region of the mesh or grid boundary between the two isovalues to be defined as surfaces. The image shown in part (c) was generated using a single isovalue with the Fill Between box checked on the line after the isovalue like figure (e). This causes the boundary with dataset values greater than the specified value to be defined as surfaces.

Isosurface.png
(d)
(e)

Isosurfaces (a) No Fill (b) Fill Between Two Isovalues (c) Fill Above or Below an Isovalue (d) Filling between 2 isosurfaces (e) Filling above an isosurface.

Transparency

Transparency can be specified for each Isosurface. Transparency affects the display of isosurface faces.

Define as Cross-Section

Like contour lines, isosurfaces are temporary in nature. In other words, if the active dataset is changed, the current isosurfaces are deleted and new isosurfaces are computed using the new dataset values. In some cases, it is useful to create an isosurface as a permanent object. This can be accomplished by selecting the Define as Cross-section option in the Isosurface Options dialog. This causes the computed isosurfaces to be treated as cross sections. As cross sections, these isosurfaces can be saved to a file, hidden, or deleted. In addition, if a new dataset is selected, the isosurfaces are not deleted. In fact, the values associated with the new dataset are interpolated to the cross section isosurfaces and can be displayed on the isosurfaces as color fringes or contours. This makes it possible to effectively display two datasets at once.

Interior Edge Removal

By default, whenever an isosurface is computed from a mesh or a grid, the lines corresponding to the intersection of the isosurface with the cell or element boundaries are displayed on the isosurfaces. If the Interior edge removal option is selected, only the edges on the isosurface corresponding to a feature angle break greater than the specified value are displayed on the isosurface. For example, if the feature angle were set at 30.00 degrees, the angle formed by the two polygonal faces adjacent to each edge in the isosurface would be checked and only those edges where the computed angle is less than 180 - 30 = 150 degrees would be displayed. Typically, a small value (e.g., 0.001) is used so that only the edges adjacent to two coplanar faces are removed (made invisible).

Visible Region Only Option

If the Compute for visible region only option is chosen, the isosurfaces are not computed in regions where the cells or elements are not visible. Otherwise, isosurfaces are computed for all regions of the mesh or grid.

Isosurface Edges

If this option is on, the lines that make up the isosurface are displayed.

Isosurface Faces

If this option is on, the isosurface is displayed a color-filled surface.

Specify Range

The Contour specified range command allows controlling the minimum and maximum value used to define the colors assigned to the isosurfaces.

Isosurface Volumes

The volume within an isosurface or the volume between two isosurfaces is computed using the Isosurface Volume command in the Grid menu. This command brings up a dialog with a list of isovalues and volumes. The listed isovalues correspond to the isovalues defined in the Isosurface Options dialog. The listed volumes represent the volumes between each of the isovalues. For example, the first volume represents the volume below (on the "low" side of) the lowest isovalue, the second volume represents the volume between the first and second isovalues, etc. The total volume listed at the bottom of the dialog should correspond to the total volume of the grid or mesh.

Beginning with GMS 7.0 the Isosurface Volumes dialog has changed to display a single volume associated with each isosurface. In addition to showing a single volume, it also possible to view the volume of the cells (or elements) that are less than the isovalue, the volume of the cells that are greater than the isovalue, and the volume of the cells intersected by the isosurface by turning on the Display additional volume information toggle. In some cases GMS is unable to compute the volume of the isosurface. In those cases there is still an estimate of the isosurface volume by looking at the volume of the cells. The volume of the cells should be close to the volume of the isosurface when the grid (or mesh) is composed of very "small" cells. The difference between the isosurface volume and the volume of the cells decreases as the size of the cells decreases.

See also