Visualization and Software Architectures for Volumetric Displays

在过去的二十年里，计算机显示技术一直以二维显示系统为主导。因此，这一时期的计算机图形技术集中于开发这些显示器的潜力。然而，最近在体积（三维）显示技术上的突破有望彻底改变信息的计算机显示和用户交互。特别是，交叉光束显示器现在可以产生真正的三维“玻璃”图像，可以同时从几乎任何方向观看。然而，为了使这些系统充分发挥其潜力，必须解决许多挑战。该项目将开发灵活的、可扩展的软件架构、数据编码方法、渲染和可视化技术，以及新的人机交互范例，以充分利用体积显示的能力。这些技术将在3D技术实验室公司提供给NASA的4英寸立方体积显示器上进行测试。

Computer display technology over the past twenty years has been dominated by two-dimensional display systems. Computer graphics techniques during this time have therefore concentrated on exploiting the potential of those displays. However, recent breakthroughs in volumetric (three-dimensional) display technologies promise to revolutionize computer display of information and user interaction. In particular, crossed-beam displays can now produce true three-dimensional "glass" images that can be simultaneously viewed from almost any direction. However, there are many challenges that must be addressed in order for these systems to reach their full potential. This project will develop flexible, extensible software architectures, data encoding methods, rendering and visualization techniques, and new human-computer interaction paradigms to fully exploit the capabilities of volumetric displays. These techniques will be tested on a 4-inch cubic volumetric display provided to NASA by 3D Technology Laboratories, Inc.