Software Recommendations by Data Type

Below is an abbreviated list of common data types, a brief definition of each type, and recommended/feasible software to use with each type. Most software are not YURT compatible, but those that are compatible are labeled as such. For a complete list of data types and examples, please see the Data Types and Examples page.

Scalar Volume Data: 3D array of data values where each point corresponds to a single value

Not YURT usable:

• IATK

• Amira/Aviso

2D Image Data: 2D array of data values that can be reduced to an RGB image before viewing or interactively during viewing

Not YURT usable:

• Amira/Aviso

• OpenSpace

Vector Field or Flow Data: A magnitude and direction at each point in a plane or 3D space.  Sometimes such vector fields can represent fluid flow, but they can be other things, as well. Can be time-varying

Not YURT usable:

• Visit

Point Cloud Data: Data that represents a collection of points in 2D or 3D space

Visualization Software (Not YURT usable):

• lidarview

• CloudCompare

• Displaz

• PPTK

• Open3D

• Veloview

• VR Point Cloud Editor Application

Processing Software (Not YURT usable):

• liblas

• Pylidar

• Python-PCL

• Quick Terrain Modeler

• PointSample

Planetary Geology Imaging Data: This might be an amalgam of different data types, including collections of stars, collections of galaxies, outward-looking imagery (as from a telescope), or inward looking imagery (as from a satellite of a planet). Some such data is 2D imaging data, but with a particular underlying space, e.g., Earth, the moon, or Mars

Not YURT usable:

• OpenSpace

CLARITY Imaging Data: CLARITY imaging is a relatively new brain imaging technique which utilizes chemical compounds to visualize brain anatomy with vivid accuracy. CLARITY imaging data is typically represented as a stack of 2D images, which means that CLARITY data can be easily processed by Paraview and other software

YURT usable:

• Paraview

Not YURT usable:

• Matlab

• Ipyvolume

MRI Imaging Data: MRI imaging data comes in many forms, often depending on the type of MRI machine utilized when scanning a patient. Two of the most common MRI data formats are NIfTi and DICOM

• Freesurfer

• 3D Slicer

• Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTs)

Polygonal Model Data: 3D data stored as polygonal meshes

YURT usable:

• Unity

• Blender

• Unreal

• Paraview

Not YURT usable:

• Maya

• Adobe Dimension