C. Ratti Wang, Y., Piper, B., Ishii, H., and Biderman, A.

Abstract

Three-dimensional datasets (voxel datasets), generated by different types of sensing or computer simulations, are quickly becoming crucial to various disciplines - from biomedicine to geophysics. Phoxel-Space is an interface that enables the exploration of these datasets through physical materials. It aims at overcoming the limitations of traditional planar displays by allowing users to intuitively navigate and understand complex 3-dimensional datasets. The system works by allowing the user to manipulate a freeform geometry whose surface intersects a voxel dataset. The intersected voxel values are projected back onto the surface of the physical material to reveal a non-planar section of the dataset. The paper describes how the interface can be used as a representational aid in several example application domains, overcoming many limitations of conventional planar displays.