Volume rendering in architecture overlapping and combining 3d voxel volume data with 3d building models

Abstract

Volume rendering is an illustration technique for visualising different 3D measured data or 3D simulation data interactively on screen. This paper introduces a method that overlays several types of volume data on an architectural surface model. This complex calculation takes place on the graphics card using hardware-accelerated shaders. An implemented software prototype entitled “VolumeRendering” is introduced. In addition to interactive visualisation, the objective was to create a user-friendly interface. Synergies and new evaluation possibilities arise through the overlay, e.g. of different measuring techniques, with a surface model. Finally the use of the software prototype is illustrated using examples from our interdisciplinary research project.