Recent advances in immersive visualization of ocean data: Virtual Reality through the web on your laptop computer

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Recent advances in immersive visualization of
ocean data Virtual Reality through the web on
your laptop computer

• Albert J. Hermann
• Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere
  and the Oceans,
• UW/NOAA/PMEL, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
  98115
• Chris W. Moore (JISAO/PMEL)
• Nancy N. Soreide (PMEL)
• Funded by NOAA/HPCC and NOAA/ESDIM

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The Problem

• New technologies huge datasets
• 3D models with gt106 grid points
• Multi-year simulations
• How to visualize this much output?
• Simple contours and vectors
• Shaded plots, colored vectors
• Surfaces in three dimensions
• Surfaces viewed with binocular (stereo) vision -gt
  immersion , a.k.a virtual reality

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What do we gain by immersion?

• Surfaces reveal all scales of 3D features
  contour plots hide smaller scales, patchy
  distributions (e.g. clouds)
• Eulerian velocities / Lagrangian paths really are
  3-dimensional! Examine u,v,w vectors and paths of
  animated particles (or fish)
• Binocular vision reveals spatial information
  quickly faster exploration of data via real
  world type of experience

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Immersive techniques

• Shutterglasses ( - )
• alternate left eye/right eye view rapidly in
  time wear shutterglasses to synchronize vision
  in left/right eye with left/right images on
  monitor
• Autostereo ()
• No glasses required, special monitor with lenses
• Polarization ()
• Superimpose two images with different
  polarization of light wear passive polarized
  lenses to view
• Anaglyphs ()
• Superimpose two images with different color
  (red/blue) wear passive colored lenses to view
  just like 3D comics!

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Alaska
Cook Inlet
Kodiak Island
TRY THE GLASSES! (BLUE LENS ON RIGHT EYE)
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Goals (VR for the masses)

• Immersive visualization of numerical model run,
  during or after execution
• Accessible to any scientist/educator anywhere,
  through the web
• Inexpensive methods

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Virtual Reality through the Web

• Based on Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)
• Use Live Access Server to select region
• Render isosurface of chosen variable
• Send through the web as VRML world client
  renders in stereo

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Datasets
VTK
Model
LAS
netCDF
Vis5D
VRML
Ferret
GIF, ps
Server
Client
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LAS uses mean value of variable in chosen region
for iso-surface, adds 3D velocity vectors at 40 m
depth and bathymetry
Bathymetry
Alaska
Kodiak I.
Velocity vectors (10 m depth)
Density isosurface
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Low-cost Immersive Gear

• Desktop or laptop PC with web browser
• High speed/large RAM not essential
• VRML client for web browser
• Download free viewer (which supports stereo) at
  http//www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona/
• Graphics card with stereo driver
• Widely available for gaming market
• May already be present in your PC
• Shutterglasses or Red/Blue anaglyph glasses
• Many inexpensive graphics cards now include
  shutterglasses to support stereo-enabled games in
  full color
• Joystick
• Programmable buttons nice, but not essential
• For example

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A virtual ocean on your laptop!
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Conclusion

• Immersion (a.k.a. Virtual Reality)
• is a powerful exploratory tool
• is possible on a modest budget
• More information and demos
• VRML web server for model output
  http//ferret.pmel.noaa.gov/globec
• Stereo techniques, hardware and software
• http//www.pmel.noaa.gov/hermann/vrml/stereo.htm
  l