Particle-Based Transparent Rendering of Implicit Surfaces and its Application to Fused Visualization

Abstract

We present particle-based surface rendering (PBSR) that realizes precise rendering of transparent implicit surfaces and flexible fused visualization. The PBSR uses small opaque particles as rendering primitives and creates transparent images with the correct depth feel without the necessity of particle sorting. The nonnecessity of sorting enables that the rendering stage of the PBSR can be executed with interactive frame rates. The formula derived based on binomial probability works well to control the surface opacity. The PBSR realizes precise and quick transparent rendering of highly nonlinear implicit surfaces, such as those constructed by interpolating 3D scattered points. The PBSR also realizes various types of fused visualization such as surface-surface fusion, surface-volume fusion, and fusion of a slice plane with a volume and a polygon mesh.