Vis3D+: An Integrated System for GPU-Accelerated Volume Image Processing and Rendering

Abstract

This paper presents a prototype 3D image processing and rendering system that extends an existing interactive 3D image visualization system. The extensions consist of software modules implemented using graphics processing unit (GPU) programs known as “compute shaders”. Compute shaders are able to utilize the massively parallel, general-purpose computing capabilities provided by modern GPUs and can also be tightly integrated as new stages in a GPU-based volume and surface rendering pipeline. The compute shaders in this paper are designed to support the execution of volume image processing algorithms, as well as to support the interactive editing of the algorithms’ output. An example volume image processing algorithm known as level set segmentation is implemented and demonstrated. A new editing module is developed that enables user modification of the segmentation algorithm’s output by extending a pre-existing volume “painting” interface.