A Three-Dimensional Voxel-Based Graphics System

研究正在进行的三维（3-D）图形 基于CUBE体系结构的工作站，该体系结构以 立方体帧缓冲器的体素与三个处理器访问立方体 存储器，用于输入几何和扫描数据，操作，投影， 并渲染3D图像。 一个固有的3-D用户界面， 一个真正的三维输入设备和补充三维屏幕环境， 正在开发中。 立方帧缓冲器的倾斜存储器组织 在任意方向上提供对波束无冲突访问的系统 被模拟。 最后，一个查看架构，允许直接 更快的任意平行和透视投影 模拟. 设计的架构是一个通用的3-D工作台， 医学、工程、生物、地质和其他3D 可视化应用程序。 首席研究员在CUBE架构方面的前期工作 （由NSF支持）得到了广泛的认可和尊重。 的思想 体素存储器是一种创新且可靠的工程方法。 的 使用超大规模集成电路的方法是正确的方向，避免了 常规公交车延误 这项提议是少数几个严肃的 在开发大量计算机图形硬件方面的学术努力 想法. 所提出的工作可能会导致工具， 让科学家们看到三维图像。 强烈支持 推荐

Research is being performed on a three-dimensional (3-D) graphics workstation based on the CUBE architecture, which is centered around a cubic frame-buffer of voxels with three processors accessing the cubic memory to input geometric and scanned data, to manipulate, to project, and to render the 3-D images. An inherent 3-D user interface employing a true 3-D input device and the complementing 3-D screen environment is being developed. Skewed memory organizations of the cubic frame buffer that provide conflict-free access to beams in arbitrary directions are being simulated. Finally, a viewing architecture that allows direct and faster arbitrary parallel and perspective projections is being simulated. The architecture designed is a versatile 3-D workbench for medical, engineering, biological, geological, and other 3-D visualization applications. The principal investigator's prior work on the CUBE architecture (supported by NSF) is well-recognized and well-respected. His idea of voxel memory is an innovative and sound engineering approach. The approach using VLSI is in the right direction and avoids the conventional bus delays. This proposal represents one of a few serious academic efforts in developing substantial computer graphics hardware ideas. The work proposed will likely lead to tools that help scientists to visualize three-dimensional images. Support is strongly recommended.