VAPOR Features

3D Visualization

VAPOR's suite of rendering tools enable scientists to explore their 3D datasets and produce moving animations or still frame images from what they find. The utilities below are some of the key features used to produce compelling visualizations.

Direct Volume Rendering Hardware texture accelerated volume rendering Direct manipulation of floating point data Histogram aided color and opacity map editing
Isosurfaces  Interactive construction and rendering of multiple isosurfaces Pseudo coloring isosurface with a second variable
Flow Visualization Streamline and streakline flow primitives Interactive seed placement Color flow primitives by magnitude or age
2D Probes (Cross-Sections) Pseudo coloring of scalar quantities Image Based Flow Visualization of vector quanties Integration with flow visualizer to permit precise positioning of seed points
Contours Multi-Color or single color support User defined or automated contour value placement User defined value annotations

Large Data Support

VAPOR enables interactive exploration of gridded data sets that are exceptionally large in both the spatial and temporal domains. Wavelet-based multiresolution data representation permits users to make speed/quality tradeoffs for visual as well as non-visual data exploration tasks

Multi-Model Data Support

Tools and translators are included to facilitate importing data output from many geophysical models and their standard data formats, including WRF-ARW, GRIB, MOM, POP, ROMS, CAM, and generic NetCDF data.

Quantitative Data Analysis and Data Manipulation

Several state of the art analysis tools have been integrated into VAPOR to extend the abilities of its users.  Included programming interfaces exist for Python, the NCAR Command Language (NCL), and the Interactive Data Language (IDL).

Full Featured Graphical User Interface

The VAPOR graphical user interface contains all the advanced ease-of-use features expected in a professionally developed commercial product, yet rarely found in Open Source software, including Undo/redo capability, Session save, restoration, and auto-recovery, Context help (tool tips), and customizable User Preferences.