3-D Visualization

Visualizing Scalar Volume Data

Typical scalar volume data is composed of a 3-D array of data and three coordinate arrays of the same dimensions. The coordinate arrays specify the x, y, and z coordinates for each data point.

The units of the coordinates depend on the type of data. For example, flow data might have coordinate units of inches and data units of psi.

Techniques for Visualizing Scalar Data

MATLAB supports a number of functions that are useful for visualizing scalar data:

• Slice planes provide a way to explore the distribution of data values within the volume by mapping values to colors. You can orient slice planes at arbitrary angles, as well as use nonplanar slices. (For illustrations of how to use slice planes, see slice, a volume slicing example, and slice planes used to show context.) You can specify the data used to color isosurfaces, enabling you to display different information in color and surface shape (see isocolors).
• Contour slices are contour plots drawn at specific coordinates within the volume. Contour plots enable you to see where in a given plane the data values are equal. See contourslice and MRI data for an example
• Isosurfaces are surfaces constructed by using points of equal value as the vertices of patch graphics objects.

Volume Visualization Functions

Visualizing MRI Data