Abstract:
In order to assess the reliability of volume rendering, it is necessary to
consider the uncertainty associated with the volume data and how it is
propagated through the volume rendering algorithm, as well as the
contribution to uncertainty from the rendering algorithm itself. In this
work, we show how to apply concepts from the field of reliable computing in
order to build a framework for management of uncertainty in volume rendering,
with the result being a self-validating computational model to compute a
posteriori uncertainty bounds. We begin by adopting a coherent, unifying
possibility-based representation of uncertainty that is able to capture the
various forms of uncertainty that appear in visualization, including
variability, imprecision, and fuzziness. Next, we extend the concept of the
fuzzy transform in order to derive rules for accumulation and propagation of
uncertainty. This representation and propagation of uncertainty together
constitute an automated framework for management of uncertainty in
visualization, which we then apply to volume rendering. The result, which we
call fuzzy volume rendering, is an uncertainty-aware rendering algorithm able
to produce more complete depictions of the volume data, thereby allowing more
reliable conclusions and informed decisions. Finally, we compare approaches
for self-validated computation in volume rendering, demonstrating that our
chosen method has the ability to handle complex uncertainty while maintaining
efficiency.