Unstructured Grid Visualization Probe for Occlusion-Free 3D Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D visualization techniques for unstructured grids in the oil and gas industry face challenges in effectively rendering and interpreting volumetric and polygonal objects, leading to occlusion issues that obscure important features, making it difficult to understand geometric and property relations within complex datasets.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for providing visualizations of unstructured grids using a probe object with topological elements that do not share a common plane, allowing for volume rendering within a closed space defined by the probe, enabling the visualization of unstructured grid data on the probe's geometry, and allowing the probe to be moved for interactive exploration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional cross-section rendering is used to visualize 3D volumetric data, then the volumetric data can be displayed, but other objects in the scene are occluded and 3D relationships between objects become difficult to discern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D volumetric data into discrete volume elements (voxels) that can be individually controlled. Each volume element can be rendered with independent transparency settings, allowing selective visualization of different data regions while maintaining visibility of other objects, thus resolving the occlusion problem while preserving 3D spatial relationships
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different transparency properties to be assigned to different volume elements based on their spatial location and data importance. This enables critical regions to be displayed with higher opacity while less important regions maintain transparency, allowing simultaneous visibility of multiple objects and their 3D relationships
2Illumination intensity
If volumetric objects are rendered fully opaque to ensure visibility, then the volumetric data is clearly visible, but other objects in the scene are necessarily occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different transparency values to different volume elements within the volumetric object. Critical or high-interest regions can be rendered with high opacity for clear visibility, while peripheral or low-interest regions are rendered with transparency to allow other objects to be seen, thus simultaneously achieving both visibility goals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic transparency control that allows users to interactively adjust the opacity of volume elements in real-time based on their selection or region of interest. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt between opaque and transparent rendering modes, ensuring visibility of both volumetric data and other objects according to user needs
3Loss of information
If transparency is applied to volumetric objects to see through them, then other objects become visible, but it becomes difficult to determine the exact location of semi-transparent data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes and transfer function mapping that associates specific color ranges with specific data value ranges. Even when volume elements are transparent, their color-coded values provide visual cues about their identity and location, allowing users to track and determine the exact location of semi-transparent data points through their distinctive color signatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the volumetric data into discrete addressable volume elements, each with unique spatial coordinates and data values. This segmentation allows the system to provide precise location information for each transparent element through user interaction (such as clicking or hovering), enabling accurate location determination despite the transparency rendering
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure, the unstructured grid comprising data representative of a property of interest. The exemplary method also comprises defining a probe as an object that comprises a set of topological elements, at least one of which does not share a common plane. The exemplary method additionally comprises providing a visualization of the unstructured grid data on the geometry defined by the probe.