Over Two Decades of Integration‐Based, Geometric Flow Visualization

Abstract

Flow visualization is a fascinating sub-branch of scientific visualization. With ever increasing computing power, it is possible to process ever more complex fluid simulations. However, a gap between data set sizes and our ability to visualize them remains. This is especially true for the field of flow visualization which deals with large, timedependent, multivariate simulation datasets. In this paper, geometry based flow visualization techniques form the focus of discussion. Geometric flow visualization methods place discrete objects in the vector field whose characteristics reflect the underlying properties of the flow. A great amount of progress has been made in this field over the last two decades. However, a number of challenges remain, including placement, speed of computation, and perception. In this survey, we review and classify geometric flow visualization literature according to the most important challenges when considering such a visualization, a central theme being the seeding object upon which they are based. This paper details our investigation into these techniques with discussions on their applicability and their relative merits and drawbacks. The result is an up-to-date overview of the current state-of-the-art that highlights both solved and unsolved problems in this rapidly evolving branch of research. It also serves as a concise introduction to the field of flow visualization research.

Design and Implementation of Interactive Flow Visualization Techniques

“…In fact this application framework was involved in the development of a novel streak surface algorithm [McLoughlin, Laramee & Zhang (2010)]. A thorough review of geometric techniques is beyond the scope of this paper and we refer the interested reader to a survey on the topic by McLoughlin et al [McLoughlin, Laramee, Peikert, Post & Chen (2010)]. …”

Sketch-based Dynamic Illustration of Fluid Systems

“…Flow visualization methods visualize the results of flow simulation by drawing arrows or streamlines [Turk and Banks 1996], texture-based methods by applying flow patterns to random texutures [Cabral and Leedom 1993;Laramee et al 2004], geometric methods by extracting geometric objects such as streamlines or stream surfaces [McLouglin et al 2010], and feature-based methods by visualizing physically meaningful parts such as vortices [Post et al 2003]. These techniques rely on offline simulation results and can provide accurate visual effects.…”

A sketch-based interface for classifying and visualizing vector fields

“…A key issue that affects the quality of streamlines representation is the seeding strategy and streamlines placement [11] because straightforward solutions would easily lead to clutter. Verma et al [20] presented a seed placement strategy to capture flow patterns around the critical points and to provide sufficient coverage in noncritical regions.…”