How NASA Uses Render Time Procedurals for Scientific Data Visualization

Abstract

In data-driven visualizations, the size and accessibility of data files can greatly impact the computer graphics production pipeline. Loading large and complex data structures into 3D animation software such as Maya may result in system performance issues that limit interactivity. At NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, we have implemented methods to procedurally read data files and generate graphics at render time. We accomplish this by creating per-frame calls in our animation software that are executed by the renderer. This procedural workflow accelerates visualization production and iteration.