Efficient Sort-Last Rendering Using Compression-Based Image Compositing

State of the art scientific simulations are currently working with data set sizes on the order of a billion cells. Parallel rendering is a promising approach for interactivel y isualizing multiple isosurface variables from data sets of this magnitude. In sort-last rendering, each pr o essor creates a depth buffered image of its assigned objects. All processors’ images are composited toget her to create a final result. Improving the efficiency of this compositing step is key to interactiv e parallel rendering. This paper presents a compression-based image compositing algorithm which can prov ide significant savings in both communication and compositing costs.