Volume Rendering Interaction via Distance-Based Color Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manipulating three-dimensional object depictions using volume rendering are inefficient, requiring repeated calculations and high memory, computing, and bandwidth resources, especially when performing color effects or removing parts of the object.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows flexible adjustment of object depictions by inputting a set of points in space, where color values are modified based on distance from these points, reducing the need for recalculating the entire volume and focusing only on affected rays, thus minimizing computational load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If volume rendering is carried out again with every change (color effects, clippings, segmentation), then the depiction can be manipulated flexibly, but memory, computing, and bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the volume data into affected regions based on user input (points, lines, or surfaces). Instead of re-rendering the entire volume, only the affected segments are processed. This is achieved by calculating the intersection of the input geometry with the volume data and rendering only those regions, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the necessary portion of the volume data corresponding to the user's input region. The system determines the affected volume based on the input points/lines/surfaces and renders only that partial volume, avoiding the excessive action of re-rendering the complete volume for every manipulation.
2Ease of operation
If pixels are re-calculated for every manipulation (color effects, clippings), then the depiction can be updated interactively, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rendering process into affected and unaffected regions. By calculating the intersection of user input with the volume data, the system identifies only the pixels that need recalculation. This segmentation allows interactive manipulation while minimizing processing time by excluding unaffected regions from computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating the affected volume region based on user input before actually rendering. The system determines which volume elements are affected by the input points/lines/surfaces and prepares only those for rendering, avoiding unnecessary processing time for unaffected regions.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct volume editing is performed using virtual tools (brushes, chisels), then object parts can be removed or modified, but the computational load increases due to voxel-oriented calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from voxel-oriented calculations to geometry-oriented calculations. Instead of processing individual voxels (three-dimensional pixels), the system uses user input points, lines, or surfaces to define affected regions. This dimensional change from point-cloud/voxel space to geometric space reduces computational complexity while maintaining ease of modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/brute-force approach of voxel-oriented processing with a more elegant geometric approach. Instead of iteratively checking and modifying each voxel, the system uses geometric intersection calculations to identify affected regions, replacing complex iterative processing with more efficient geometric algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A depiction of a three-dimensional object that is displayed using volume rendering is influenced. A representation of the object, in which values of a variable characterizing the object are given at spatial points of the object and in which color values are allocated to the variable during the course of rendering, is provided. A set of points defined in the space of representation of the object is input, and a distance from spatial points incorporated by the representation to the set of points is calculated. Color values allocated to spatial points are modified, or color values are determined according to the calculated distance. A depiction of the object by volume rendering is calculated using the representation of the object, the representation incorporating the modified or determined color values.