The Visualization Pane is composed of four sub-panes: the volume pane on top, and the sagittal, coronal, and axial slice panes on the bottom. Initially, the volume pane displays a three dimensional representation of the data as orthogonal slices.

Controls in the slice panes allow selection of any slice. Changes in the slice panes are reflected in the volume pane (when it is displaying orthogonal slices). Slices are selected using slider controls or mouse actions. Figure 2.5 shows the sagittal slice pane, its slider, and cross-hairs controls.

Initially, the slice plane is placed at the center of the volume, which, for the tooth dataset, corresponds to the 51^st slice along the sagittal axis. Move the sagittal slice plane slider to the right until it reads 68. The 68th sagittal slice is now displayed in both the slice and volume panes, as shown in Figure 2.6.

Cross-hairs correspond to planes orthogonal to the slice beneath the cross-hairs. Press Button2 (middle mouse button) and drag the cross hairs to select new slices in orthogonal planes.

Table 2.1, “Slice Pane Controls” lists mouse actions and keyboard keys that select slices or alter display of slices.

Figure 2.5. A Slice Pane and its Controls

Figure 2.6. Slice plane slider moved to 68th sagittal slice