Voxel Based Modeling
Voxel-based modeling is a 3D modeling technique that represents objects using a grid of volumetric pixels (voxels), similar to how 2D images use pixels. It involves creating, editing, and rendering 3D models by manipulating these discrete cubic units, often stored in a 3D array or octree data structure. This approach is commonly used in medical imaging, game development (e.g., for terrain or destructible environments), and scientific simulations where volumetric data is essential.
Developers should learn voxel-based modeling when working on applications that require handling volumetric data, such as medical visualization (e.g., CT scans), voxel-based games (like Minecraft or Teardown), or engineering simulations (e.g., fluid dynamics). It's particularly useful for tasks involving 3D spatial analysis, procedural generation, or real-time editing of complex environments, as it allows for efficient storage and manipulation of solid objects compared to polygon-based methods in certain contexts.