Volume Visualization

Representing gridded volume data as iso, slice, and stream plots

Visualize volume data and 3-D vector field data. For example, you can display volume data as 2-D slices.

Functions

Scalar Volume Data

`contourslice`	Draw contours in volume slice planes
`flow`	Simple function of three variables
`isocaps`	Compute isosurface end-cap geometry
`isocolors`	Calculate isosurface and patch colors
`isonormals`	Compute normals of isosurface vertices
`isosurface`	Extract isosurface data from volume data
`reducepatch`	Reduce number of patch faces
`reducevolume`	Reduce number of elements in volume data set
`shrinkfaces`	Reduce size of patch faces
`slice`	Volume slice planes
`smooth3`	Smooth 3-D data
`subvolume`	Extract subset of volume data set
`volumebounds`	Coordinate and color limits for volume data

Vector Volume Data

`coneplot`	Plot velocity vectors as cones in 3-D vector field
`curl`	Curl and angular velocity of vector field
`divergence`	Compute divergence of vector field
`interpstreamspeed`	Interpolate stream-line vertices from flow speed
`stream2`	Compute 2-D streamline data
`stream3`	Compute 3-D streamline data
`streamline`	Plot streamlines from 2-D or 3-D vector data
`streamparticles`	Plot stream particles
`streamribbon`	3-D stream ribbon plot from vector volume data
`streamslice`	Plot streamlines in slice planes
`streamtube`	Create 3-D stream tube plot

Topics

Visualizing Volume Data
This example shows several methods for visualizing volume data in MATLAB®.
Overview of Volume Visualization
Volume visualization is the creation of graphical representations of data sets that are defined on three-dimensional grids.
Techniques for Visualizing Scalar Volume Data
There are several techniques available for visualizing scalar volume data, such as MRI slices.
Visualizing Four-Dimensional Data
This example shows several techniques to visualize four dimensional (4-D) data in MATLAB®.
Visualizing Vector Volume Data
There are several techniques that are useful for visualizing vector data, such as stream lines, stream particles, stream ribbons, stream tubes, and cone plots.
Exploring Volumes with Slice Planes
A slice plane is a surface that takes on coloring based on the values of the volume data in the region where the slice is positioned.
Connecting Equal Values with Isosurfaces
Isosurfaces are constructed by creating a surface within the volume that has the same value at each vertex. Isosurface plots are similar to contour plots in that they both indicate where values are equal.
Isocaps Add Context to Visualizations
Isocaps are planes that are fitted to the limits of an isosurface to provide a visual context for the isosurface.
Display Streamlines Using Vector Data
Visualize air currents in 3-D using streamlines, slice planes, and contours on the same plot.
Displaying Curl with Stream Ribbons
Stream ribbons illustrate direction of flow, similar to stream lines, but can also show rotation about the flow axis by twisting the ribbon-shaped flow line.
Displaying Divergence with Stream Tubes
Stream tubes are similar to stream lines, except the tubes have width, providing another dimension that you can use to represent information.
Create Stream Particle Animations
Visualize the speed and direction of particles within vector fields using streamlines.
Vector Field Displayed with Cone Plots
This example shows how to use cone plots, isosurfaces, lighting, and camera placement to visualize a vector field.

Related Information

Interpolation