[Insight-developers] ANNOUNCE: VolView 2.0 supporting ITK plug-ins now available

[Will Schroeder]

Kitware is pleased to announce the release of VolView 2.0 beta. You can 
download this release from the VolView web site at: 
http://www . kitware . com/products/volview . html .  This will not interfere with 
any prior installations of VolView you may have.

VolView is an interactive volume visualization and analysis system. VolView 
2.0 has many new features including:

  - Support for all data types (unsigned char through double)
  - Support for up to four independent components
  - Support for color/alpha, RGB, and RGBA volumes
  - Over 30 basic and advanced image processing filters (most implemented 
with ITK)
  - Plug-in API allows any developer to extend filtering capabilities
  - Collaboration between two VolView sessions
  - New interactive annotation widgets:
           - Color bar, scale bar, orientation marker
           - Distance / angle measurement
           - Cropping tool, 2D / 3D markers
  - Improved system performance and feedback
  - Integrated animation tool
  - Improved transfer function editor with more presets
  - Oblique probe / oblique image view
  - Automatic initial transfer function based on data
  - Improved lighting control
  - Redesigned user interface with customizable panels

Through an initiative with the National Library of Medicine, VolView has 
harnessed the power of the Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit 
(ITK) for advanced image processing algorithms. Many techniques are 
available in this release of VolView, with more expected through the 
involvement of the ITK community. Filters are accessed from VolView through 
a public filter "plugin" API that allows developers to employ their latest 
image processing techniques from within a powerful visualization 
system.  The VolView filter plugin functionality has many benefits: it 
allows access to ITK functionality for non-programmers, it creates a 
vehicle for sharing and comparing segmentation techniques, and it serves as 
a visual debugger for algorithm developers.

VolView 2.0 operates in two modes: Free or Professional. After you download 
VolView you will be able to obtain a 30-day trial of VolView 2.0 
Professional Mode. After 30 days, VolView will revert to Free Mode with 
reduced functionality until a license is purchased. Please see the VolView 
web site for information on purchasing an upgrade from VolView 1.3, or a 
new license.

VolView 2.0 is currently available on Windows platforms. Linux and Mac OSX 
releases are expected in early 2004.

Free technical support is provided during the 30-day trial - please send 
email to support at kitware . com with any questions or feedback you may have. 
For sales inquiries, please send email to kitware at kitware . com, or call 
1-518-371-3971 during normal business hours (M-F 9am-5pm EST).


Thank you,

Kitware Inc.
1-518-371-3971
www.kitware.com