Abstract: A data processing system which allows a user to interactively identify a portion of a volume and display the identified portion of the volume in a way that is particularly adapted for the visualization of the identified portion of the volume. One embodiment provides identifying a location of a volume based on input communicated via an input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom for input control; and displaying the volume and separately displaying a portion of the volume corresponding to the location. In one embodiment, the input interface includes a hand held device; and the displaying further comprises displaying a virtual tool corresponding to a location of the hand held device. For example, a slice of a volume can be selected and displayed in an orientation that maximizes a displayed size and is consistent with the orientation of the slice in a 3D view of the volume.

Abstract: A data processing system which allows a user to interactively identify a portion of a volume and display the identified portion of the volume in a way that is particularly adapted for the visualization of the identified portion of the volume. One embodiment provides identifying a location of a volume based on input communicated via an input interface having at least 3 degrees of spatial freedom for input control; and displaying the volume with an unobstructed partial view path through the volume to a portion of the volume at the identified location. In one embodiment, the input interface includes a hand held device; and the displaying further comprises displaying a virtual tool corresponding to a location of the hand held device. For example, a portion of the volume is displayed at the location within the volume, as if a tunnel to the portion of volume were provided.