Stream arrows: enhancing the use of stream surfaces for the visualization of dynamical systems

We present a new approach to deal with stream surfaces that occlude major parts of the system representation. While analyzing mixed-mode oscillations, we came across geometrically complex stream surfaces with a curly shape. Certain regions of these surfaces may occlude major parts of the model. We adapted visualization techniques to deal with this. Stream arrows make portions of the stream surface semitransparent and this diminish the problem of occlusion. Cross-sections and removing portions of the model also improve visual perception. Choosing the shape of an arrow for segmentation helps visualize the flow direction. An anisotropic spot noise texture emphasizes the flow within a stream surface. Animation techniques facilitate the interpretation of dynamical systems with complex stream surfaces.

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