4.6. Creating Data Views

In this tutorial, we will be covering the various types of representations that can be applied to geometries and filters.

The available representations are:

Outline
Points
Wireframe
Surface
2D Image/Slice
Volume

Outline Representation

Outline provides a basic, non-detailed view of the data by rendering only the bounding box of the geometry. It’s a useful way to see the overall extent and position of the dataset without visualizing its detailed structure.

The Outline representation has the following controls:

Detach - Detaches the color map from the geometry level so that a separate color map can be set on this representation.
Solid Color - Use this to pick a solid color to color the representation with.
Opacity - Sets the opacity for the representation, which allows the adjustment of the transparency of the representation.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Line Size - Sets the line size for the representation
Render Lines As Tubes - Renders the lines as tubes, which can make it easier to see the lines.

Points Representation

Points representation displays the data as a set of individual points at the vertices of the dataset. This can be useful when you want to see the distribution of points or focus on specific locations within the data without considering the connections between them.

Points Representation	Points Representation (Zoomed)

The Points representation has the following controls:

Detach - Detaches the color map from the geometry level so that a separate color map can be set on this representation.
Solid Color - Use this to pick a solid color to color the representation with.
NaN Color - Use this to change the color of NaN values.
Color By Array - Pick the data array that will be used to color the dataset.
Color By Component - Pick the data array component that will be used to color the dataset.
Preset - Pick a preset color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Invert - Invert the current color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Scale To Data - Scale the data’s color mapping to the ranges in the actve color by array
Custom Range - Scale the data’s color mapping to a custom user defined range.
Map Scalars - Maps scalar values in a dataset to colors using the selected color map. When enabled, it translates scalar data into visual form, allowing variations in the data to be observed through color.
Opacity - Sets the opacity for the representation, which allows the adjustment of the transparency of the representation.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Show Color Legend - Shows/hides the color legend, the vertical bar to the right of the dataset.
Point Size - Sets the point size that all the points in the representation will use.
Render Points As Spheres - Renders the points as spheres, which can make it easier to see all the points.
Default Settings - Use this to save the current values of all the settings (not specific to arrays) in the selected item as the default values when adding a new point representation. You can restore these values back to the application’s default at any time by clicking the reset button in the pop up dialog that appears when you press the button.

Wireframe Representation

Wireframe representation visualizes the data as lines connecting the vertices, forming edges and faces but without filling them. It gives an impression of the 3D structure and connectivity of the data without obscuring the view of what might be inside.

Wireframe Representation	Wireframe Representation (Zoomed)

The Wireframe representation has the following controls:

Detach - Detaches the color map from the geometry level so that a separate color map can be set on this representation.
Solid Color - Use this to pick a solid color to color the representation with.
NaN Color - Use this to change the color of NaN values.
Color By Array - Pick the data array that will be used to color the dataset.
Color By Component - Pick the data array component that will be used to color the dataset.
Preset - Pick a preset color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Invert - Invert the current color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Scale To Data - Scale the data’s color mapping to the ranges in the actve color by array
Custom Range - Scale the data’s color mapping to a custom user defined range.
Map Scalars - Maps scalar values in a dataset to colors using the selected color map. When enabled, it translates scalar data into visual form, allowing variations in the data to be observed through color.
Opacity - Sets the opacity for the representation, which allows the adjustment of the transparency of the representation.
Line Size - Sets the line size for the representation
Render Lines As Tubes - Renders the lines as tubes, which can make it easier to see the lines.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Show Color Legend - Shows/hides the color legend, the vertical bar to the right of the dataset.
Default Settings - Use this to save the current values of all the settings (not specific to arrays) in the selected item as the default values when adding a new wireframe representation. You can restore these values back to the application’s default at any time by clicking the reset button in the pop up dialog that appears when you press the button.

Surface Representation

Surface representation renders the exterior surfaces of the data as filled cells, providing a complete view of the outer shape and contours. It’s commonly used for visualizing the external form of simplnx geometries.

The Surface representation has the following controls:

Detach - Detaches the color map from the geometry level so that a separate color map can be set on this representation.
Solid Color - Use this to pick a solid color to color the representation with.
NaN Color - Use this to change the color of NaN values.
Color By Array - Pick the data array that will be used to color the dataset.
Color By Component - Pick the data array component that will be used to color the dataset.
Preset - Pick a preset color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Invert - Invert the current color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Scale To Data - Scale the data’s color mapping to the ranges in the actve color by array
Custom Range - Scale the data’s color mapping to a custom user defined range.
Map Scalars - Maps scalar values in a dataset to colors using the selected color map. When enabled, it translates scalar data into visual form, allowing variations in the data to be observed through color.
Opacity - Sets the opacity for the representation, which allows the adjustment of the transparency of the representation.
Show Edges - Shows the edges of the cells in the representation. This is equivalent to Paraview’s Surface With Edges representation.
Line Size - Sets the line size for the representation. This control is only enabled if Show Edges is enabled.
Render Lines As Tubes - Renders the lines as tubes, which can make it easier to see the lines.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Show Color Legend - Shows/hides the color legend, the vertical bar to the right of the dataset.
Default Settings - Use this to save the current values of all the settings (not specific to arrays) in the selected item as the default values when adding a new surface representation. You can restore these values back to the application’s default at any time by clicking the reset button in the pop up dialog that appears when you press the button.

2D Image/Slice Representation

2D Image/Slice is a specialized representation that cuts through the data using a plane or other geometric shape, showing a cross-section. It allows you to inspect internal structures at specific locations without the need to render the whole volume, providing insight into what’s inside. This representation is achieved by texture mapping the data in the render window and thus it is recommended to use this representation wherever possible for (large) image geometries.

This representation has the following controls:

Detach - Detaches the color map from the geometry level so that a separate color map can be set on this representation.
Solid Color - Use this to pick a solid color to color the representation with.
NaN Color - Use this to change the color of NaN values.
Color By Array - Pick the data array that will be used to color the dataset.
Color By Component - Pick the data array component that will be used to color the dataset.
Preset - Pick a preset color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Invert - Invert the current color mapping (only usable if Detach is turned on).
Scale To Data - Scale the data’s color mapping to the ranges in the actve color by array
Custom Range - Scale the data’s color mapping to a custom user defined range.
Map Scalars - Maps scalar values in a dataset to colors using the selected color map. When enabled, it translates scalar data into visual form, allowing variations in the data to be observed through color.
Opacity - Sets the opacity for the representation, which allows the adjustment of the transparency of the representation.
Slice Direction - Sets the 2D plane that the resulting slice will come from. Changing this control resets the Slice Number control.
Slice Number - Sets the slice number that will be shown on application of this filter.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Show Color Legend - Shows/hides the color legend, the vertical bar to the right of the dataset.
Default Settings - Use this to save the current values of all the settings (not specific to arrays) in the selected item as the default values when adding a new slice representation. You can restore these values back to the application’s default at any time by clicking the reset button in the pop up dialog that appears when you press the button.

Volume Representation

Volume representation visualizes the entire 3D structure, including internal features, by mapping scalar values to color and opacity. It’s often used with simplnx 3D data where understanding the internal variations and structures is essential.

The Volume representation has the following controls:

Color By Array - Pick the data array that will be used to color the dataset.
Color By Component - Pick the data array component that will be used to color the dataset.
Reset - Resets the Color Table Line Graph back to its default state.
Preset - Pick a preset color mapping (for volume rendering only).
Invert - Invert the current color mapping (for volume rendering only).
Scale To Data - Scale the data’s color mapping to the ranges in the actve color by array
Color Table Line Graph - Customize the visualization by using points on the line graph to adjust the color mapping.
Custom Data Range Sliders - Scale the data’s color mapping to a custom user defined range.
Show Data Axes Grid - Displays an XYZ grid showing where the bounds of the representation start and end.
Show Color Legend - Shows/hides the color legend, the vertical bar to the right of the dataset.
Default Settings - Use this to save the current values of all the settings (not specific to arrays) in the selected item as the default values when adding a new volume representation. You can restore these values back to the application’s default at any time by clicking the reset button in the pop up dialog that appears when you press the button.