UFLOW: Visualizing Uncertainty in Fluid Flow

Suresh K. Lodha, Alex Pang, Robert E. Sheehan, and Craig M. Wittenbrink
Web site: http://www.cse.ucsc.edu/research/slvg/uflow.html
PDF Document: uflow.pdf

Purpose of the System

The main purpose of UFLOW is visualizing uncertainty found in fluid flow visualizations.

Uncertainty Information

Uncertainty is introduced in the followng parts of fluid flow measurements:
1. Acquisition of data
   1. Machine measurement error
   2. Human measurement error
2. Transformation of data
   1. Limited computer precision
   2. Integration techniques
   3. Model simplification
3. Visualization of data
   1. Rendering approximations
   2. Limited computer precision

Input Data

Input data consisted of positions, speed, velocity, acceleration, topology and critical points of the fluid flow path as well as the particles traveling within the flow.

Visualization Clues/Queues

1. Glyphs [Line glyphs image] [Barbell glyphs image]
2. Flow envelopes [image]
3. Animations
4. Priority sequences
5. Twirling batons [image]
6. Trace viewpoints
7. Rakes [image]

User Interface

The GUI let you choose the source of uncertainty by selecting the integration methods and the steps. See the PDF file.

Future Work

1. They are adding sonification
2. New flow visualization algorithms besides streamlines
3. Testing with other data (simulated and experimental)