Chiang Mai, Thailand (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

Complexity and diversity of knowledge related to human anatomy and physiology has always forced teachers and students to work with a variety of media and learning aids. Books, plastics models, multimedia presentations, legends attached to anatomical posters, drawings and cadavers help to train professionals for numerous healthcare related professions.

A wide variety of visualization media and learning resources is available and many of them are free of charge. They help students to learn anatomical and physiological details, interaction and pathology of numerous structures in the human body, which total up to thousands of individual parts. The huge number of available learning resources can require spending more time for searching, selecting and managing learning resources.

Next Dimension Imaging, a leading provider of 3D Anatomy learning software, has published a product which integrates interactive 3D viewing of a high-end full body model with modern information technology and information management. The new product AnatomyLab II is a major upgrade of earlier versions. While older versions had emphasized on interactive 3D exploration, the new AnatomyLab II has evolved into a system for visualization, information and learning resource management for human anatomy.

AnatomyLab II represents a new kind of human anatomy atlas. It uses 3D technology combined with user content integration and management of individual learning resources. Labels, notes and hyperlinks can be attached to anatomical structures or to imported images which will then become a searchable resource. Similar views and images for a given anatomical structure can be quickly located and previewed. The systems formats the data in a way that it can be easily shared among peers, and quickly distributed in a computer lab or over a local or global network.

User created real time 3D-views into the human body and other resources can be quickly recalled. A presentation can be well prepared and is a lively option to a slide show. The unique feature to display and explore two or more 3D-views simultaneously is helpful when explaining the complex anatomical and physiological relationship between different structures. For students who work with AnatomyLab II, it becomes a knowledge base for their specific anatomical learning content.

Next Dimension Imaging has pioneered 3D anatomy model visualization and data integration for anatomy learning products and invests in research in particular. Founder Lothar Muench had a leading role in the software development of three volumetric imaging technologies when they were emerging. Core of the vendor’s products is a 3D viewing engine which provides the infrastructure for multiple 3D windows, view management, auto-colorization and spatial annotation. Products cover skeletal and muscular system, circulation system, nervous system, ligaments and inner organs. They are used by university teachers, high school teachers and students. For further information, contact Lothar Muench at info(at)nextd(dot)com.

Next Dimension Imaging’s anatomical software products apply sophisticated color shifting and colorization techniques in order to improve the visual perception. In massive anatomical models, high color contrast between neighbored parts makes learning more efficient and more exciting. Automatic coloring is one of various advantages of 3D anatomy models compared to plastics anatomy models.

A 3D-view of a body section might consist of hundreds or even thousands of parts of bones, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and tissue of other organic body systems. Next Dimension Imaging’s advanced color shifting and auto-colorization technique has become a visual trade mark and can be found exclusively in Next Dimension Imaging products. Colors are helpful for both interacting with the model and for understanding the complex anatomical and physiological relationship of structures in the body faster.

For a mono-colored electronic skeleton model, visual perception and understanding of part relationships is significantly better, if a slight shifting of the bone color for neighbored bone structures is applied. For a spatially interweaved group of blood vessels in the head, auto-colorization in conjunction with 3D interactive viewing is most helpful to understand the spatial nature of all parts of a structure.

Auto colorization is applied full automatically. While modyfing a sectional 3D-view by adding or removing parts, new model materials for all parts are processed in the background. All new materials are applied instantly, resulting in a light or strong color contrast of all closely neighbored parts.

The BoneLab 2 Demo program features automatic color shifting and automatic colorization for all its sectional skeleton views.

In a first step, a reward system for ideas and suggestions has been implemented. Site visitors, demo program users and customers can win a product of their choice for emailing their idea. The input from visitors will help to adjust directions in product strategy, help to identify new applications and detect dead-end development projects at an early stage.

While the nature of the 3D views rendered with color texture is more informative and is more comparable to well worked out anatomical illustrations, quick perception of closely neighbored structures is achieved through color shift for neighbored muscles. The color texturing process depends on the actually displayed model and is full-automatically applied.

Color texture has been implemented in a recent update of 3D Muscles Teacher. The update is free for all users who have purchased the full version. See more color texture images at 3D Muscles Teacher.

Breakthroughs in Visualization and Interaction

With the increased performance of personal computers and advanced graphics now available to professionals as well as students, truly interactive, 3d visualization of human anatomy is now available.

History of Human Anatomy Models

The current 3d, interactive human anatomy software is the evolution of a long line of technologies and techiques. Since late the 18th century, students and medical professionals have used physical models to learn from and gain insight into complex human anatomy. Wax models gave way to colored plastic models, which is now being surpassed by 3d human anatomy models which offer unique visualization and interaction not before available.

Cognitive Advances in Learning and Understanding

While interactive anatomy software has been available for a while, there have been signficant limitations to overcome to reach the level of veracity that physical models offer. Compared with 2D image visualization, when it comes to 3D objects, perspective and section targets are essential to accurate visualization. Until recently there was a prevailing paradigm of document-centric, model-centric, and object-oriented visualization which provided a crude form of interactivity akin to flipping through a book rather than viewing an object.

View-Centric Anatomy Software

Next Dimension Imaging has abandoned the prevailing paradigm of document-centric, model-centric, and object-oriented visualization and has successfully implemented a true view-centric human anatomy system. However, this requires the ability to manage a massive amount of information, otherwise resulting in the necessity of splitting the model into smaller components.

Cognitive Visualization Advances in Learning and Understanding

Awareness, recognition and recollection are enhanced by various visualization techniques which have been implemented and in many cases pioneered by Next Dimension Imaging.

Intuitive User Interfaces and Direct Manipulation

Intuitive user interfaces emphasize visual presentation, interaction and visual controls rather than functional controls like buttons and menus. Interactivity is enhanced by controls which provide as much direct manipulation as possible.

Color Coding for Enhanced Recognition and Learning

Very early in its history, Next Dimension Imaging applied auto-colorization and color coding techniques to improve perception and recognition of spatial interrelationship between complex structures. At present, sophisticated, automatic color coding techniques are applied and have become the visual trademark of Next Dimension Imaging anatomic visualization products.

3D Vector Graphics in Human Anatomy Models

When 3D vector graphics has been a young emerging technology, Next Dimension Imaging was one of the first who has applied it and combined it with volumetric data visualization. A web3D-based demonstration of an interactive heart model was displayed on the Next Dimension Imaging website in 1997. The four chambers of the interactive heart model was displayed from web servers on different continents. With Next Dimension Imaging leading the way, visualization of distributed data has become a standard technique.

3D, Interactive Human Anatomy Software Interface

In the early 2000′s Next Dimension Imaging developed the 3D Multi-Windows user interface for simultaneous display of hundreds of 3D windows. Although, this technology could not be applied at that time due to PC performance and stability of the PC graphics environment, it is part of all of Next Dimension Imaging’s newest products. 3D Multi-Windows provides the base for dissecting, part picking and auto-navigation, even if the full 3D model comprises thousands of parts.

Advanced 3d Interactive Anatomy Software Now Available

Next Dimension Imaging has launched a series of products to address anatomical education at various levels. Products are offered for university level, for training of healthcare related professionals and for biology classes at secondary school level. While anatomical plastics models and charts are still widely dominating teaching aids for anatomical content, Next Dimension Imaging has developed a technology to manage and to visualize the massive data of full body 3D models. Both, comprensive software controlled models with all inner organs included and specialized products, comprising highly detailed models of skeleton, muscles and brain are offered. The software stores english and latin names of thousand of parts of bones and tissue in a large searchable database for reference and rapid access to body systems and close-up views.

Next Dimension Imaging’s proprietary technology to manage and visualize massive model data have formed a foundation for a new generation of teaching and learning aids. The tools are based on computer hardware, software and 3D modeling technology. These go far beyond visual inspection and display of labeled, illustrated graphics, which plastics models and charts can offer. Software controlled 3D models allow advanced interaction processes, facilitate student participation, provide online bindings to related information and are suitable for distance learning.

Next Dimension Imaging has selected 3D models of high quality for integration into its products, and cooperates with model design companies in order to provide training products of high didactic value. Comprehensive 3-dimensional views and close-up views of up to 4700 organic parts can be quickly created, labeled, colorized and saved. Presentation of complex interrelated content is possible based on multiple interactive viewing windows.

The new products cover the human body including all major body systems. Scheduled future products will add more functionality to interact with the model, use further refined 3D models and greater integration of online resources.

Muscular System in 3D

The newest addition to the full line of Human Anatomy software is the Muscular System 3D Software product 3D Muscles Teacher. Newly released, this product is targeted at the education market and is affordably priced at 69 Euro.

About Next Dimension Imaging

Next Dimension Imaging is one of the foremost experts in medical visualization. For more than a decade Next Dimension Imaging has pioneered the 3d interactive visualization of human anatomy. Next Dimension Imaging is the leader in large scale 3d anatomy models and visualization software. With offices in Germany and Thailand, Next Dimension Imaging offers downloadable 3D anatomy software for sale online and through various distributors.

Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2. December 2009

Next Dimension Imaging, an innovator in 3D visualization technology, has announced the launch of its Lab II series products, which are offered to professionals and educators related to human anatomy.

Pioneers in Medical Visualization

The vendor, who has pioneered the application of massive human anatomy models in education, has published AnatomyLab II and BoneLab II, which both utilize high-end 3D technology and combine it with information technology. The new products provide 3-dimensional views into the human body, which can be interactively explored, customized and marked up. Online information related to a specific part of the anatomy can be retrieved.

3D Human Anatomy Advantages

The use of computer software and 3D anatomy models compared to other learning aids, like plastics models and drawings, has essential advantages. 3D models are not limited by manufacturing constraints like plastics models, they can provide 3-dimensional information and are not final and limited by the resolution like a printed illustration. 3D anatomy models do not require storage space or dust covers and cannot break. One more important advantage is, that thin layers of tissue and tiny trees of blood vessels and nerves can be modelled.

3D Human Anatomy Features

The new products which can quickly access and search 3D-views for any part of the body, emphasize on user interaction. Due to a technology developed for Lab II series products, the operation is as easy and intuitive as operating a photo viewer software, although all thumbnail views are 3-dimensional. 3D views of the model can be combined to form a new view or dissected to reveal obscured and nested structures. Managing Director Lothar Muench said: “We consider interaction between user and computer as a very creative process. The more the user is in control and is driving this process, the more lasting benefit he gains from it.”

Future of 3D Anatomy

The previous version of BoneLab is meanwhile in use by various groups of professionals: university level and secondary school level teachers, teachers of live savers and physio-therapists, forensic scientists, state attorneys and artists. Many users use the program in conjunction with an interactive whiteboard. The vendor has announced that the future product BrainLab is under development and will be released next year. Further information and a demo program can be found at http://www.nextd.com.

(PA) Next Dimension Imaging, a software developer who has specialized in human anatomy training software based on large scale 3D anatomy models, has launched a series of products to address anatomical education at various levels. Products are offered for university level, for training of healthcare related professionals and for biology classes at secondary school level.While anatomical plastics models and charts are still widely dominating teaching aids for anatomical content, Next Dimension Imaging has developed a technology to manage and to visualize the massive data of full body 3D models. Both, comprensive software controlled models with all inner organs included and specialized products, comprising highly detailed models of skeleton, muscles and brain are offered. The software stores english and latin names of thousand of parts of bones and tissue in a large searchable database for reference and rapid access to body systems and close-up views.

Advanced Medical Visualization Technology

Next Dimension Imaging’s proprietary technology to manage and visualize massive model data have formed a foundation for a new generation of teaching and learning aids. The tools which are based on computer hardware, software and 3D modeling technology, go far beyond visual inspection and display of labeled, illustrated graphics, which plastics models and charts can offer. Software controlled 3D models allow advanced interaction processes, facilitate student participation, provide online bindings to related information and are suitable for distance learning.

3D Anatomy Models

Next Dimension Imaging has selected 3D models of high quality for integration into its products, and cooperates with model design companies in order to provide training products of high didactic value. Comprehensive 3-dimensional views and close-up views of up to 4700 organic parts can be quickly created, labeled, colorized and saved. Presentation of complex interrelated content is possible based on multiple interactive viewing windows.

New 3D Anatomy Products Upcoming

The new products cover the human body including all major body systems. Scheduled future products will add more functionality to interact with the model, use further refined 3D models and stronger online bindings. For more information please see the vendors website at http://www.nextd.com. A free demo version of the classical BoneLab program can be downloaded from this site.