The researchers of many commentators have already thrown much darkness on this subject, and it is probable that, if they continue, we shall soon know nothing at all about it Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Recent literature related to the methods presented in this work can be subdivided into three major topics: volume rendering in general, volume compression, and network-based volume visualization. In addition to these three major topics which will be treated in the following sections, literature related to specific aspects of the work, for example, maximum intensity projection, will be discussed in the corresponding chapters.