What Voxel (Volumetric Pixel) Meaning, Applications & Example
3D pixel used in volumetric data processing.
What is a Voxel (Volumetric Pixel)?
A voxel (short for “volumetric pixel”) is a unit of graphic data used in 3D modeling and rendering. It represents a value in three-dimensional space, similar to how a pixel represents a value in two-dimensional space.
Uses of Voxel
- 3D Graphics: Voxel data is used in 3D rendering and modeling, particularly in scientific visualization, medical imaging, and gaming.
- Medical Imaging: In techniques like MRI or CT scans, the body is represented by a grid of voxels, each holding information about the tissue in that part of the body.
- Geospatial Mapping: Voxel models can represent terrain or objects in 3D maps, where each voxel holds information about that location’s attributes.
Example of Voxel
In a voxel-based game, like Minecraft, the world is built out of cubes (voxels), and each cube holds information about what type of block it represents (dirt, stone, water, etc.), allowing for dynamic and editable 3D worlds.