3D cursors for volume rendering applications

An interface metaphor is proposed for developing a 3-D cursor for volume rendering applications. The metaphor, luminous gel, is a material for molding a 3-D cursor. It has been demonstrated that such a cursor's location and spatial relationships with volume-rendered 3-D objects are readily perceivable. Editing tools made in luminous gel have also been developed, which are useful as effective positioning tools for functional operations and inspecting devices for feature exploration and scene understanding by enabling immediate depth perception and object highlighting. The editing tools have also be further elaborated for performing planar and curved sectioning directly and naturally.<>