Visualization of supercomputer simulations in physicsA description is given of the hardware and software tools and techniques in use at NASA's Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation Facility for visualization of computational fluid dynamics. 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 view the three-dimensional scenes dynamically, 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.
Document ID
19900047377
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Watson, Val (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Bancroft, Gordon (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Plessel, Todd (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Merritt, Fergus (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Walatka, Pamela P. (Sterling Software, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)