Immersive Visualization for Integrated Process Simulation

In this work we present a system that enables flexible coupling of distributed simulations as well as an immersive visualization solution for connected simulation results. Using this technology allows us to simulate entire production process chains, considering the various aspects at once rather than examining them separately one by one. The simulation experts that are involved get the opportunity to discuss and analyze their results inside a greater context with all the other experts. This is meant to further a scientific examination of the complete simulated process chain as an integral result. The post processing and visualization both rely on a concept that allows for the seamless integration of the expertly crafted individual visualizations, while still guaranteeing stable and interactive frame rates required in virtual environments. Using level of detail management,as well as selective refinement, the user(s) will be able to identify and mark important phenomena occurring within a certain space and time area of the simulation data with the so called widgets. Those can then be linked to other widgets and phenomena that provide an explanation. Using annotation techniques causal, relation based visualization combines the simulation data, its representation, and the explanations required to understand them.