Visualization, virtual reality, and animation within the data flow model of computing
Visualization, virtual reality, and animation within the data flow model of computing
复制标题
计算数据流模型中的可视化、虚拟现实和动画
DOI：
10.1145/204362.204376
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发表时间：
1995
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
F. Wood
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
R. Gillilan;F. Wood
本文介绍了我们对数据流编程在科学可视化领域中的应用的看法。康奈尔理论中心（C'I'C）是一个成熟的可视化生产中心。来自全国各地的科学家利用该中心的资源来探索从他们的研究中收集到的数据。CTC使用IBM的Visualization Data Explorer TM来完成大部分可视化工作，并维护一个DX扩展库，这些扩展库对公众免费提供。本文的讨论主要集中在使用模块化编程所提供的灵活性和开发速度上。特别是，DX显示出足够的灵活性，在从动画制作到康奈尔大学计算机科学教育的各种设置中都很有用。本文使用了正在进行的实际工作中的例子来支持我们对模块化数据流编程的倡导。我们将通过研究来自专业应用程序（如化学）的数据如何容易地与DX提供的科学数据表示的数学模型相匹配来进行讨论。DX的模块化可扩展性示例包括DX与电子可视化实验室的CAVE虚拟现实环境之间的链接的描述，以及ctc开发的dxrenderhan接口的解释。TM最后，作为与DX相关的快速学习曲线的一个例子，介绍了为康奈尔计算机科学课程开发的图形课程部分（C5417和CS418）。研究人员不仅需要以新颖和创新的方式结合现有的工具，还需要灵活地添加新的现实和新的接口。例如，虚拟现实在实际研究中的应用才刚刚开始，因此现有的代码可能还不能满足化学家等特定群体的需求。研究人员还需要以清晰而精致的形式呈现他们的数据，这不仅涉及更高质量，更逼真的渲染，还包括动画。除了初始设计之外，这些应用程序的交互性更低，更面向批处理。另一方面，教育有其特殊的要求。在接下来的部分中，我们将处理这些需求，讨论数据流范式如何适应应用程序领域，以及如何将其与r.he规程中的现有程序进行接口。
Introduction This paper presents our perspective on the utility of data-flow programming in the field of scientific visualization. The Cornell Theory Center (C'I'C) is an established center of visualizetion production. Scientists from across the country use the center's resources co explore the data collected from their research. The CTC uses IBM's Visualization Data Explorer TM to do most of its visualization, and maintains a repository of DX extensions that are available free to the public. The discussion in this paper primarily focuses on the flexibility and speed of development afforded by the use of modular programming. In particular, DX is shown to provide sufficient flexibility to be useful in settings ranging from animation production to Cornell computer science education. Examples from actual work in progress are used in this paper to underpin our advocacy OF modular data-flow programming. We be~n by examining how data from a specialized application such as chemistry can easily fit within the mathematical model of scientific data representation provided by DX. Included as examples of the modular extensibil i ty of DX are a description OF The link between DX and The Electronic Visualization Laboratory's CAVE virtual reality environment and an explanation OF the CTC-developed DX interface to RenderHan. TM Finally, as an example of the quick learning curve associated with DX, sections of the curriculum developed for Cornell computer science classes on graphics (C5417 and CS418) are presented. Researchers not only need to combine existing tools in novel and innovative ways, but need the flexibility to add new reals and new interfaces. Virtual reality, for example, is only beginning to be used in actual research, so existing codes may not yet address the needs of a specific community like chemists. Researchers also need to present their data in a clear and polished Form which not only involves higher-quality, more photorealistic rendering but animation as well. With the exception of initial design, these applications are less interactive and more batch-oriented. Education on the other hand, has its own special requirements. In the sections that follow, we address each of these needs, discussing how the data-flow paradigm fits into rhe application area and how it can be interfaced with existing programs in r.he discipline.