5 Visualization

``All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses; for even apart from their usefulness they are loved for themselves; and above all others the sense of sight. For not only with a view to action, but even when we are not going to do anything, we prefer seeing (one might say) to everything else. The reason is that this, most of all the senses, makes us know and brings to light many differences between things.''

ARISTOTLE Metaphysics, Book I, approximately 350 B.C.

• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Architectural Design
• 5.3 Data Structures
  • 5.3.1 The Simplex Idea
    • Generalized Coordinates
    • Formal Notation
• 5.4 Implementation
  • 5.4.1 Supported Operations
  • 5.4.2 Data Structures
• 5.5 Flow-Lines
  • 5.5.1 Theoretical Method
  • 5.5.2 The Two-Dimensional Case
  • 5.5.3 Flow-Line Module Algorithm
  • 5.5.4 Deficiencies
• 5.6 Volume Visualization
• 5.7 Ray-Tracing Interface
• 5.8 The Simple Vector Graphics Format and Library
• 5.9 A Prototype Visualization Application
• 5.10 Discussion