QuadStack: An Efficient Representation and Direct Rendering of Layered Datasets.

We introduce QuadStack, a novel algorithm for volumetric data compression and direct rendering. Our algorithm exploits the data redundancy often found in layered datasets which are common in science and engineering fields such as geology, biology, mechanical engineering, medicine, etc. QuadStack first compresses the volumetric data into vertical stacks which are then compressed into a quadtree that identifies and represents the layered structures at the internal nodes.

Real-Time External Labeling of Ghosted Views.

We present a new algorithm for calculating the external labeling of ghosted views of moderately complex 3D models. The algorithm uses multiple criteria decision making, based on fuzzy logic, to optimize positions of the labels associated with different parts of the input model. The proposed method can be used with various existing algorithms for creating ghosted views from 3D models.

Lightdrum-Portable Light Stage for Accurate BTF Measurement on Site.

We propose a miniaturised light stage for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and the bidirectional texture function (BTF) of surfaces on site in real world application scenarios. The main principle of our lightweight BTF acquisition gantry is a compact hemispherical skeleton with cameras along the meridian and with light emitting diode (LED) modules shining light onto a sample surface. The proposed device is portable and achieves a high speed of measurement while maintaining high degree of accuracy.

Parallel Locally-Ordered Clustering for Bounding Volume Hierarchy Construction.

We propose a novel massively parallel construction algorithm for Bounding Volume Hierarchies (BVHs) based on locally-ordered agglomerative clustering. Our method builds the BVH iteratively from bottom to top by merging a batch of cluster pairs in each iteration. To efficiently find the neighboring clusters, we keep the clusters ordered along the Morton curve.

Optomechanical design of a portable compact bidirectional texture function measurement instrument.

Recent developments in optoelectronics and material processing techniques make it possible to design and produce a portable and compact measurement instrument for bidirectional texture function (BTF). Parallelized optics, on-board data processing, rapid prototyping, and other nonconventional production techniques and materials were the key to building an instrument capable of in situ measurements with fast data acquisition. We designed, built, and tested a prototype of a unique portable and compact multi-camera system for BTF measurement which is capable of in situ measurement of temporally unstable samples.

Parallel On-Demand Hierarchy Construction on Contemporary GPUs.

We present the first parallel on-demand spatial hierarchy construction algorithm targeting ray tracing on many-core processors such as GPUs. The method performs simultaneous ray traversal and spatial hierarchy construction focused on the parts of the data structure being traversed. The method is based on a versatile framework built around a task pool and runs entirely on the GPU.

Visibility-driven mesh analysis and visualization through graph cuts.

In this paper we present an algorithm that operates on a triangular mesh and classifies each face of a triangle as either inside or outside. We present three example applications of this core algorithm: normal orientation, inside removal, and layer-based visualization. The distinguishing feature of our algorithm is its robustness even if a difficult input model that includes holes, coplanar triangles, intersecting triangles, and lost connectivity is given.