ExoVis: An Overview and Detail Technique for Volumes

Volume data sets can be difficult to visualize because of their large size and high data density. Methods to simultaneously visualize a global overview and local details have been developed for other data types, but have not been extensively explored for volume data. We present "ExoVis", a new "overview and detail" technique for volumes. ExoVis widgets are objects that display local slice and subvolume details outside or surrounding a three-dimensional overview of the data set. Multiple slices and subvolumes may be viewed simultaneously, each with unique orientation and render- ing properties. Several new interaction techniques are possible within our framework, including new versions of cine mode and a new way to save and compare transfer functions. Our method also generates new possibilities for multivariate data visualization.