IDL and Volume Visualization

IDL can be used to visualize multi-dimensional volume data sets either at the command line or using the Tool Palette or the iVolume tool. Given a 3-D grid of density measurements, IDL can display a shaded surface representation of a constant-density surface (also called an isosurface). For example, in medical imaging applications, a series of 2-D images can be created by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. When stacked, these images create a grid of density measurements that can be contoured to display the surfaces of anatomical structures.

This chapter introduces the Tool Palette and the iVolume tool for interactive exploration of volume data. It also presents some techniques for exploring volume data using IDL's Direct graphics routines.

For additional information, see the following topics in the IDL Online Help:

Volume Visualizations to learn how to use the IDL Workbench Tool Palette

Working with Volumes to learn about the iVolume tool's powerful capabilities for creating and manipulating volumes

The Volume Visualization section in IDL's list of 3D Visualization routinesfor a list of volume-related routines

Creating Volume Objectsfor information on volume objects