Visualizing volume data using physical models

Visualization techniques enable scientists to interactively explore 3D data sets, segmenting and cutting them to reveal inner structure. While powerful, these techniques suffer from one serious flaw-the images they create are displayed on a flat piece of glass or paper. It is not really 3D-it can only be made to appear 3D. We describe the construction of 3D physical models from volumetric data. Using solid freeform fabrication equipment, these models are built as separate interlocking pieces that express in physical form the segmentation and cutting operations common in display-based visualization.