Amygdalar Projections: Volume Trails
A primary theme in brain imaging science is the explicit representation of brain connections by means of tractography, and in the live brain this is accomplished by a technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The Volume Trails visual effect provides a general reference for this by means of its obvious visual overlap w DTI. The theme of connectedness will be developed more fully in my next music video, but the volume trails visual can be used here briefly and is readily integrated w the eerie surreal alien aesthetic.
As below (top frame), the myriad neuronal tracts entering and exiting the amygdala can be visualized by DTI and resemble the strands created by Volume Trails (Brown et al 2020). The specificity of these tracks can be well appreciated in the study by Balderston and coworkers (2015), which highlights the human visual pathway thru the thalamus to the amygdala and on to the visual cortex (bttm frame); the yellow clump of fibers is the thalamus and the purple cords headed to the back of the brain constitute the amygdalar-calcarine tract.
A primary theme in brain imaging science is the explicit representation of brain connections by means of tractography, and in the live brain this is accomplished by a technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The Volume Trails visual effect provides a general reference for this by means of its obvious visual overlap w DTI. The theme of connectedness will be developed more fully in my next music video, but the volume trails visual can be used here briefly and is readily integrated w the eerie surreal alien aesthetic.
As below (top frame), the myriad neuronal tracts entering and exiting the amygdala can be visualized by DTI and resemble the strands created by Volume Trails (Brown et al 2020). The specificity of these tracks can be well appreciated in the study by Balderston and coworkers (2015), which highlights the human visual pathway thru the thalamus to the amygdala and on to the visual cortex (bttm frame); the yellow clump of fibers is the thalamus and the purple cords headed to the back of the brain constitute the amygdalar-calcarine tract.
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Volume Trails: Overview of Algorithm
Creating the cord-like neuronal projections involves two component pipe streams, both of which project from the Volume Trail (VT) node. As shown below, the VT node has two input knobs, the one on the left receives input from a geo node that serves as a surface template for the so-called 'scatter points'. The scatter points serve as the origin sites of each individual cord-like projection. The VT node also includes an input knob for the volume velocity pipe, which is what provides the vector paths to the destination bounding box terminus for the scatter points.
Creating the cord-like neuronal projections involves two component pipe streams, both of which project from the Volume Trail (VT) node. As shown below, the VT node has two input knobs, the one on the left receives input from a geo node that serves as a surface template for the so-called 'scatter points'. The scatter points serve as the origin sites of each individual cord-like projection. The VT node also includes an input knob for the volume velocity pipe, which is what provides the vector paths to the destination bounding box terminus for the scatter points.
Volume Trails: Origin Source Point and Vector Options
After establishing the basic pipeline (as per above frames), several parameters need to be modified to achieve the desired effect for the trajectory of the trails. As below, these include assigning the number of Origin Scatter Points, the number of Uniform Sampling Divisions, the Force Total Count, and finally, Animating the Trails and modifying the strand width.
Applied Skills: Volume Trail from a TestGEO
Integration of VT with Modelling
As apparent from the 2 insets above, the VT process obscures the original object, which doesn't work for fibers supposedly emanating from a neuroanatomical structure. As below, application of this technique will require a separate process for genesis of the trails and then an overlay of the original model.
As apparent from the 2 insets above, the VT process obscures the original object, which doesn't work for fibers supposedly emanating from a neuroanatomical structure. As below, application of this technique will require a separate process for genesis of the trails and then an overlay of the original model.
REVISION FOR NEW ENDING
While the VT Amygdalar projections effort is an important way in which to try and apply a newfound Houdini software skill, it will have limited impact on the overall EBS revision (it will hopefully improve the aesthetic of one scene). Issues of modifying the original EBS video and juggling the parameters of genre theory to impart a subtle degree of documentary-like orientation to the video will require attention at the end of the video [and only the beginning has been addressed, as per blog wks 3-5 (of Term 4)].
As per the top two frames immediately below, the original EBS video ends with an alien observing that the initial phase of the hybridization was completed. The new ending will be formatted towards a more explicit documentary agenda by means of summarizing the key teaching points, specifically the researchers who identified the basic emotions, and the scientists who discovered the underlying brain structures. Use of animated illustrations and also the '0101' binary code theme which introduced the revision video will be used to maintain the artistic theme of the revision through the new ending.
While the VT Amygdalar projections effort is an important way in which to try and apply a newfound Houdini software skill, it will have limited impact on the overall EBS revision (it will hopefully improve the aesthetic of one scene). Issues of modifying the original EBS video and juggling the parameters of genre theory to impart a subtle degree of documentary-like orientation to the video will require attention at the end of the video [and only the beginning has been addressed, as per blog wks 3-5 (of Term 4)].
As per the top two frames immediately below, the original EBS video ends with an alien observing that the initial phase of the hybridization was completed. The new ending will be formatted towards a more explicit documentary agenda by means of summarizing the key teaching points, specifically the researchers who identified the basic emotions, and the scientists who discovered the underlying brain structures. Use of animated illustrations and also the '0101' binary code theme which introduced the revision video will be used to maintain the artistic theme of the revision through the new ending.
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Bibliography
Balderston NL, Schultz DH, Hopkins L, Helmstetter FJ (2015). Functionally distinct amygdala subregions identified using DTI and high-resolution fMRI. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 10, Issue 12, pg 1615–1622, https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv055
Brown SG, Rutland JW, Verma G, Feldman RE, Schneider M, Delman BN, Murrough JM, Balchandani P. (2020). Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging of Amygdala Subnuclei Structural Connectivity. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. 5:184–193.
CG Artist Academy (2020). Houdini Volume Trails Tutorial Procedural. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNziAQfbecc
Balderston NL, Schultz DH, Hopkins L, Helmstetter FJ (2015). Functionally distinct amygdala subregions identified using DTI and high-resolution fMRI. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Volume 10, Issue 12, pg 1615–1622, https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv055
Brown SG, Rutland JW, Verma G, Feldman RE, Schneider M, Delman BN, Murrough JM, Balchandani P. (2020). Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging of Amygdala Subnuclei Structural Connectivity. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. 5:184–193.
CG Artist Academy (2020). Houdini Volume Trails Tutorial Procedural. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNziAQfbecc
