The paper describes the Field Encapsulation Library (FEL), which provides a grid independent application programmer's interface to gridded three dimensional field data. The C++ implementation of FEL is described, stressing the way in which the class hierarchy hides the underlying grid structure in a way that allows visualization algorithms to be written in a completely grid independent manner. Appropriately defined coordinate classes play an important role in providing this grid independence. High performance point location routines for data access are described and performance times are provided.

Abstract Tempus Fugit/Interview is a computational fluid dynamics visualization application for which processing is distributed between high performance graphics workstations and supercomputers. Facilities are provided in the application for more than one user to view shared images creating a cooperative visualization environment. The way in which the computation is partitioned between the super computer and the workstations is critical to the capability of the application to present simultaneous, identical, animated images of fluid dynamics to more than one user.

An implementation of a distributed virtual environment for the shared interactive visualization of large unsteady three-dimensional flowfields is described. Computation of the visualizations is performed on a Convex C3240 computer and the visualization data are transferred over a high-speed network to a Silicon Graphics Iris workstation for rendering. A boom-mounted six-degree-of-freedom head-position-sensitive stereo CRT (cathode ray tube) system is used for display. A hand-position-sensitive glove controller is used for controlling various tracers (e.g., 'smoke') for the visualization of the flow. User commands are sent to the Convex, which interprets these commands and computes the corresponding visualization. With this architecture, several users may share and cooperatively control the visualization generated by the Convex. The distributed architecture is also interesting to those using conventional screen and mouse interfaces.>