Surface versus volume rendering: a comparative assessment

A particular surface rendering method is compared with a specific volume rendering technique. The former is described in details. The latter constitutes published work, and the comparison is based on the authors´ implementation of this work as close to its original form as possible. The bases of comparison are ability to portray thin bones; clarity of portrayal of sutures, fractures, fine textures, and gyrations; smoothness of natural ridges and silhouettes; time and storage requirements. The preliminary conclusion is that the surface method has a slight edge over the volume method for the portrayal of information of the type described and a significant advantage, as far as time and storage requirements are concerned, for implementations in identical environments