An Incremental Alignment Algorithm for Parallel Volume Rendering

Abstract

This paper introduces a data distribution scheme and an alignment algorithm for parallel volume rendering. The algorithm performs a single wrap-around shear transformation which requires only a regular inter-processor communication pattern. The alignment can be implemented incrementally consisting of short distance shifts, thus significantly reducing the communication overhead. The alignment process is a non-destructive transformation, consisting of a single non-scaling shear operation. This is a unique feature which provides the basis for the incremental algorithm.