To start, I have not used IDL or VTK. In teaching an OpenDX class which included some IDL users, we found two different responses towards DX from them. The very experienced IDL user like IDL better, since they knew the software and its data model. They were always trying to relate how DX worked in terms of how IDL worked, which was probably setting them back.
For the inexperienced IDL user, they seemed to like DX better, since it was easier to learn, involved visual programming, and overall the data model made sense to them. If you have not already done so, you may want to check out the archives for a discussion on the comparison of OpenDX with IDL: http://opendx.npaci.edu/mail/opendx-general/2000.03/msg00007.html http://opendx.npaci.edu/mail/opendx-general/2000.03/threads.html#00040 Jeff On Tue, 27 Feb 2001, Murat Maga wrote: > > Hi, > I'm trying to decide the tool I'm going to use for my dissertation. And > I want to learn people's opinion about OpenDX, VTK, IDL etc. > Basically what I need a visualization package capable of volume > rendering of high resolution CT data of bones. The second step involves > getting quantitative results (bone volume, trabecular thickness) out of > this data using thresholding techniques. Also polygon reduction of the > 3d object and exporting into common 3d format are sometimes needed. > > I used VTK for a while. It accepts and exports bunch of popular 3d data > format. However I'm having a funny dll problem in Windows, and it takes > forever to compile in RedHat 7 (because of library incompatibilities). > > I'm trying to learn OpenDX couple of weeks. Till now I couldnt succeed > in making an isosurface. > For those interested I provided an sample data set I'm using at > http://susanville.eps.utexas.edu/~murat/dx > The interslice spacing was 0.25 mm, and pixel spacing was 2mm on the > original 512x512 data. It has been reduced to 100x100. Initially it used > a RBG colormap, which I replace with AutoGrayScale function. I set the > scalar value in isosurface for something around 120-130, a typical > threshold I get from Scion Image. But it didnt change anything. > I appreciate any suggestion/help you can offer. > best, > Murat > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Braun Geophysics Dept. mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Montana Tech (406) 496-4206 1300 W. Park St. Butte, MT 59701
