Vector visualization using animated textures

Traditional postprocessors visualize vector data (like node velocities) with thin, opaque lines and arrow heads. Since one car component usually includes thousands of nodes and FEs, the vector arrows are drawn covering each other and the underlying structure. The sheer number of vectors makes data analysis difficult in many cases. We want to visualize the vector data in a way that leaves the underlying structure mostly visible. We followed an idea of Yamrom, who visualized flow vector fields using animated textures. We adapted and extended this method for visualizing the nodal velocities of structural, dynamic, non-linear FE models.
In contrast to the traditional way we use lines without arrows. Instead, segments of changing opacity move in the direction of the vector. We achieve this motion by switching 6 different textures with 16 texels at each vector line.