Visualization involves constructing graphical interfaces that enable humans to understand complex data sets; it helps humans overcome their natural limitations in terms of extracting knowledge from the massive volumes of data that are now routinely connected.<br><br>The best argument for scientific visualization is that today's researchers must consume ever higher volumes of numbers that gush, as if from a fire hose, out of supercomputer simulations or high-powered scientific instruments. If researchers try to read the data, usually presented as vast numeric matrices, they will take in the information at snail's pace. If the information is rendered graphically, however, they can assimilate it at a much faster rate<br><br>Rapid advances in 3-D scientific visualization have made a major impact on the display of data/information. These advances have been supported by advances in computing power and graphics programming techniques, which combined have brought the tools of visualization to a multidisciplinary audience of both researchers and practitioners from all engineering disciplines, as well as the physical, social and life sciences.<br><br>* Edited by two of the best known people in the world on the subject; chapter authors are authoritative experts in their own fields;<br>* Covers a wide range of topics, in 47 chapters, representing the state-of-the-art of scientific visualization.