A Generative Model for Volume Rendering

• Published in: IEEE transactions on visualization and computer graphics 2019-04, Vol.25 (4), p.1636-1650
• Main Authors: Berger, Matthew, Li, Jixian, Levine, Joshua A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational modeling; deep learning; Gallium nitride; generative adversarial networks; generative models; Image color analysis; Rendering (computer graphics); Sensitivity; Solid modeling; Transfer functions; Volume rendering
• ISSN: 1077-2626; 1941-0506
• DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2018.2816059

We present a technique to synthesize and analyze volume-rendered images using generative models. We use the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) framework to compute a model from a large collection of volume renderings, conditioned on (1) viewpoint and (2) transfer functions for opacity and color. Our approach facilitates tasks for volume analysis that are challenging to achieve using existing rendering techniques such as ray casting or texture-based methods. We show how to guide the user in transfer function editing by quantifying expected change in the output image. Additionally, the generative model transforms transfer functions into a view-invariant latent space specifically designed to synthesize volume-rendered images. We use this space directly for rendering, enabling the user to explore the space of volume-rendered images. As our model is independent of the choice of volume rendering process, we show how to analyze volume-rendered images produced by direct and global illumination lighting, for a variety of volume datasets.