A Method for Flattening Non-Planar Cut-Planes for Enhanced Visualization in Engineering and Medical Applications

A critical aspect of multidimensional data research lies in its representation. As the dimensionality of data escalates, visualizing and comprehending the underlying information becomes increasingly challenging. One effective approach is to reduce data dimensionality for presentation purposes. Slicing three-dimensional (3D) data yields a two-dimensional (2D) representation of a specific cross-section, a technique widely applied in engineering and medical sciences. Moreover, non-planar sections may offer distinct advantages in particular contexts. In this study, an approach for flattening non-planar cutting planes based on rotational transformations was introduced to enhance the visualization of complex 3D datasets. This method is suitable for flattening both scalar and vector data and offers excellent parallelization capabilities from a computational perspective. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated through one example: visualization of fluid flow with heat transfer in a helical pipe with multiple orifices. The results showcase the advantages of the method in providing comprehensive and accessible visualizations, which facilitate enhanced analysis and interpretation of complex geometrical data.