Acceleration of perspective volume rendering using depth-subsampling

Abstract

In volume visualization, a high-speed perspective rendering algorithm that produces accurate images is essential. We propose an efficient rendering algorithm that provides high-quality images and reduces rendering time regardless of viewing condition by using depth-subsampling scheme. It partitions image plane into several uniform pixel blocks, then computes minimum depth for each pixel block. While conventional ray casting starts ray traversal from its corresponding pixel, rays in our method can jump as the amount of the minimum z-value calculated. It can also be applied to space-leaping method. Experimental results show that our method produces high-quality images as those of volume ray casting and takes less time for rendering. © Springer-Verlag 2004.