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Towards an efficient parallel raycasting of unstructured volumetric data on distributed environments

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Abstract

Direct volume rendering of large and unstructured datasets demands high computational power and memory bandwidth. Developing an efficient parallel algorithm requires a deep understanding of the bottlenecks involved in the solutions for this problem. In this work, we make a thorough analysis of the overhead components involved in parallel volume raycasting of unstructured grids for high-resolution images on distributed environments. This evaluation has revealed potential opportunities for performance improvements. The result is a novel approach to distributed memory raycasting that includes different acceleration techniques to enhance ray distribution, face projection, memory locality, and message exchanging, while maintaining load balance. We report the gains achieved in each phase and in the complete parallel algorithm when compared with a conventional approach.

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Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the Brazilian Research Agency CNPq by grant 480006/2010-5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Systems Engineering and Computer Science, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, 20550-900, Brazil

    Cristiana Bentes

  2. Computer Science Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Rua Passo da Pátria 156, Niterói, 24210-240, Brazil

    Bernardo B. Labronici & Lúcia M. A. Drummond

  3. System Engineering Program—COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, P.O. Box 68511, Ilha do Fundão, Brazil

    Ricardo Farias

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  1. Cristiana Bentes
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Correspondence to Cristiana Bentes.

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Bentes, C., Labronici, B.B., Drummond, L.M.A. et al. Towards an efficient parallel raycasting of unstructured volumetric data on distributed environments. Cluster Comput 17, 423–439 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10586-013-0244-0

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