File Formats

• NCSA HDF Scientific Data Set (SDS) for fields with extensions for time-dependent data, vector data, and missing data points
• Neutral File Format (NFF) for geometry
• NetCDF with extensions for vector data
• PLOT-3D formatted, unformatted, and binary files (requires FORTRAN)
• Simple text format for fields over structured grids
• Protein data bank format
• Additional file formats can be installed

Visualization Techniques

• Isosurfaces for 3-D scalar data
• Color meshes for 2-D scalar data
• Line contours for 2-D scalar data
• Balls & sticks for 1-D unstructured data such as molecules
• Point clouds
• Numeric display
• Geometry display
• Arrows display for vector fields
• Bounds, axes and axis labels can be displayed
• Mirrored and shadowed walls

Annotations

• Editable text annotations and time stamps in a variety of fonts and sizes
• Lines and arrows
• Rectangular borders, outline, solid, and beveled

Viewing Techniques

• Perspective view
• Orthographic view
• Side-by-side stereo view
• Anaglyphic (red/cyan) stereo
• Stereographics Crystal Eyes stereo
• Even/Odd line stereo
• Fully interactive rotation, translation and zoom
• Adjustable angle of view and near and far clipping planes
• Flight simulator

Color

• Full color (RGB) and color map mode
• Complete color palette editor including periodic RGB color component functions
• Special colors for overflow, underflow and missing data
• Smooth and flat color shading

Shading

• Up to eight light sources in full color (RGB) mode
• Smooth and flat lighting
• Screen door translucency
• Alpha blending transparency when supported by the workstation

Rendering

• Uses workstation hardware to render images
• Images can be filtered after rendering to improve video quality

Scripting

• Text file script mechanism for nearly all user interface operations
• Automatic logging to scripts
• Scripts provide automated video recording

Video Recording

• Records video sequences automatically using scripts
• Supports Sony CVR series and Panasonic TQ-2026F videodisc recorders
• Supports IRIS RGB and PostScript image file formats
• Supports JPEG file format when linked with the appropriate public domain libraries
• Additional recorder drivers can be installed