- Volumetric data images are nothing like the depth of field effect known from 2D screens. Nor are they similar to the fake 3D seen in some movie releases. These displays utilize up to thousands of lasers in a complete surround effect, comprising an actual holographic 3D image.
- The lasers work in mediums such as water and air, forming stereoscopic visualizations of images fed into the computer controlling the images. Advances in computation have resulted in faster imaging, to the point of complete 3D movies being possible.
- Volumetric data has found extensive use in medical applications such as 3D CAT scans and MRI's. Other fields putting the technology to use include geological surveying, security scanning and, potentially, 3D gaming.
- The main components of volumetric data displays are high intensity lasers, numbering in the hundreds and sometimes thousands, and an excitable field of particles, suspended in either air or water. The particles heat up when hit by the lasers, creating the images.
- Although the technology has progressed greatly in the 1990's and early 2000's, color and resolution continue to pose challenges, since the accuracy of the lasers and their color temperatures have yet to match traditional displays.
- Up until volumetric data manipulation came about, all so-called 3D imaging relied on optical illusions and visuals cues to trick observers into believing the image is three dimensional. Laser-based imaging, on the other hand, has real volume--hence "volumetric".
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