Flow visualization with surface particles

A technique for rendering particles in general, and surface particles in particular, is presented. This technique incorporates an improved shading model, the use of Gaussian filters to prevent spatial and temporal artifacts, and an efficient scan-conversion algorithm. The steps of the rendering are described: shading, filtering, scan conversion, and occlusion. Ways in which the process may be varied to further improve the results and widen the range of applications are discussed.>