Scientific Visualization

Image-Guided Streamline Placement

Accurate control of streamline density is key to producing several effective forms of visualization of two-dimensional vector fields. We have introduced a technique that uses an energy function to guide the placement of streamlines at a specified density. This energy function uses a low-pass-filtered version of the image to measure the difference between the current image and the desired visual density. We reduce the energy (and thereby improve the placement of streamlines) by (1) changing the positions and lengths of streamlines, (2) joining streamlines that almost abut, and (3) creating new streamlines to fill sufficiently large gaps. The entire process is iterated to produce streamlines that are neither too crowded nor too sparse.