Supercomputing |
Scientific Visualization with VTK: The Visualization ToolkitDescription"The Visualization ToolKit (VTK) is an open source, freely available software system for 3D computer graphics, image processing, and visualization used by thousands of researchers and developers around the world. VTK consists of a C++ class library, and several interpreted interface layers including Tcl/Tk, Java, and Python. Professional support and products for VTK are provided by Kitware, Inc. VTK supports a wide variety of visualization algorithms including scalar, vector, tensor, texture, and volumetric methods and advanced modeling techniques such as implicit modeling, polygon reduction, mesh smoothing, cutting, contouring, and Delaunay triangulation." (http://public.kitware.com/VTK/) Other visualization applications, like AVS, employ a user interface enabling users to interpret data and create images/animation. VTK uses programming methods to create the visual interpretation. Dozens of imaging algorithms have been directly integrated to allow the user to mix 2D imaging / 3D graphics algorithms and data. The design and implementation of the library has been strongly influenced by object-oriented principles. VTK has been installed and tested on nearly every Unix-based platform, PCs (Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP), and Mac OSX Jaguar or later. (http://public.kitware.com/VTK/) PrerequisitesFamiliarity with Unix and programming languages, primarily C++, Python, Tcl/Tk, or Java. Most of the workshop will be taught using the Python Programming Language, with some examples in C++. A few examples using Tcl/Tk and Java will be discussed. Target AudienceResearchers/Professors/Students interested in scientific visualization techniques Method of DeliveryLecture and hands-on exercises HandoutsAugust 2006, Pete Carswell, (PDF) |
