Visualization of supercomputer simulations in physics

Recent advances in computer graphics hardware and software have resulted in major improvements in our ability to experience computer simulations of physics by viewing dynamic three-dimensional scenes representing the simulations. This paper describes the hardware and software tools and techniques in use at NASA's Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Facility for visualization of computational fluid dynamics. The visualization process is illustrated by video tapes and stereo pictures (available from the authors). The hardware consists of high-performance graphics workstations connected to the supercomputer with high-bandwidth lines, a frame buffer connected to the supercomputer with UltraNet, a digital video recording system, and film recorders. The software permits the scientist to dynamically view the 3D scenes, to zoom into a region of interest, and to rotate his viewing position to study any region of interest in more detail. The software also provides automated animation and video recording of the scenes. The digital effects unit on the video system facilitates comparison of computer simulations with flight or wind tunnel experiments. The current environment for computer simulations of physics is compared with an “ideal” environment to illustrate that major improvements in tools to help the scientist experience the simulations can be made by providing for a more natural and responsive user-interface, increasing the display field of view, and increasing the rate of scene creation.