CFD visualisation: challenges of complex 3D and 4D data fields

A review of CFD visualisation methods together with policy statements by visualisation experts conclude that the visualisation of complex 3D and 4D CFD data fields is still a major research challenge. Potential methodologies are discussed and it is suggested that a suitable approach and target for research is to understand how derived scalar and vector fields, such as dual stream functions and the Lamb vector, relate to the structure and physical characteristics of a flow. A particular focus is to use these fields to generate 'structural' stream functions with isosurfaces that divide the flow into self contained regions.