Remote interactive visualization for particle-based simulations on graphics clusters

Abstract

Particle-based models are widely spread in the field of Computer Graphics, and mainly used for real-time simulations of soft deformable bodies. However, simulations including high-resolution models have a great computational cost and, when adding the need for real-time rendering and interaction, they fall way outside the range of applications that traditional computing architectures can accommodate. Graphics clusters can offer the raw computing power needed for such simulations but, due to their physical design and operating mode, introduce a series of challenges that must be overcome, such as efficient distributed rendering and remote visualization and interaction with the simulated scenes. This paper presents a solution to interactive visual particle-based simulations on graphics clusters using an optimized in-situ distributed rendering approach which, coupled with state-of-the-art remote visualization and interaction techniques and tools, provide efficient means for highly scalable interactive simulations.