Visualization Toolkit (VTK)

Web Page: http://www.vtk.org/Wiki/VTK/GSoC

Mailing List: http://www.vtk.org/VTK/help/vtkusers.html

The Visualization Toolkit (VTK) is an open-source, freely available software system for 3D computer graphics, image processing and visualization. VTK consists of a C++ class library and several interpreted interface layers including Tcl/Tk, Java, and Python. VTK supports a wide variety of visualization algorithms including: scalar, vector, tensor, texture, and volumetric methods; and advanced modeling techniques such as: implicit modeling, polygon reduction, mesh smoothing, cutting, contouring, and Delaunay triangulation. VTK has an extensive information visualization framework, has a suite of 3D interaction widgets, supports parallel processing, and integrates with various databases on GUI toolkits such as Qt and Tk. VTK is cross-platform and runs on Linux, Windows, Mac and Unix platforms.

Projects

• Implement Select Algorithms from IEEE VisWeek 2010 in VTK I propose to implement and integrate three of the leading algorithms published in VisWeek, 2010 to the VTK framework. The first algorithm is an optimization-based axis-labelling technique that optimizes the format, font, size, and orientation of the axis-labels. The second is a cell location technique that can be used as an improved alternative to the existing techniques available in VTK. Thirdly, I plan to implement a 3D-vector-field rendering technique to represent stream surfaces.
• VTK Project: Chemistry Visualization This project will result in a native implementation of tools to visualize molecular systems and electronic structure in VTK. If time permits, additional functionality such as plotting molecular orbital diagrams, visualizing spectroscopic tensors, animating geometry optimizations, rendering periodic crystal structures, etc will be added. Current and potential users of VTK in the chemistry field will be contacted, and their input will help guide the second half of the project.