Surface versus volume rendering: a comparative assessment

A particular surface rendering method is compared with a specific volume rendering technique. The former is described in details. The latter constitutes published work, and the comparison is based on the authors' implementation of this work as close to its original form as possible. The bases of comparison are ability to portray thin bones; clarity of portrayal of sutures, fractures, fine textures, and gyrations; smoothness of natural ridges and silhouettes; time and storage requirements. The preliminary conclusion is that the surface method has a slight edge over the volume method for the portrayal of information of the type described and a significant advantage, as far as time and storage requirements are concerned, for implementations in identical environments.<
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