Support from SURF

SURF supports its users on the topic of data visualization with:

• Performing effective and efficient visualization on SURF infrastructure.
• Realizing targeted visualization projects for users, including turning data into visuals, as well as bespoke software development for HPC workflows, or web-based tooling
• Provide visualization support as part of applications in the NWO call Computing Time on National Computing Facilities.
• Contributing to innovation activities of SURF, such as using Virtual and Augmented Reality. This also include development of proof-of-concept and demonstrators using such possibilities.
• Providing courses on visualization.

We have a variety of technical and non-technical visualization expertise, and work on and contribute to different projects, from small visualization tasks to multi-year EU-funded projects:

• Turning data into visuals, such as images or rendered 3D animations
• Optimizing visualization workflows on SURF's HPC systems
• Developing new workflows, for example involving ParaView, Blender, or web-based tools
• Integrating more advanced methods, such as in-situ visualization for using ParaView to inspect a live running simulation
• Usage of VR/AR/MR/XR for data visualization
• Realizing visualization projects, involving bespoke software development

The information below provides more details of our support and expertise. 

To get in touch on Visualization & XR support, please enter a ticket in our Service Desk, or send an e-mail to visualization@surf.nl. We are always open to discuss possibilities in which we can support with visualization and XR.

Types of visualization support

Research support

If you are a researcher using SURF's HPC infrastructure, such as Snellius, then there are several ways in which SURF supports your visualization activities:

• In case of issues on SURF infrastructure, or to optimize visualization workflows, you can contact our Service Desk. There is dedicated visualization support available.
• The Snellius software stack contains a number of visualization applications, such as ParaView, matplotlib, Blender, plus related tooling such as FFmpeg.
• Through Open OnDemand we provide a remote desktop on Snellius that can be used for (interactive) visualization of data residing on Snellius, including GPU nodes for large-scale visualization (see example below)
• A number of user guides are provided on specific topics, such as the remote desktop mentioned above, and ParaView client-sever mode for parallel visualization.
• SURF provides courses on visualization topics, including an introductory course on ParaView, and Blender for Scientific Visualization

Applied visualization & XR

NWO Compute Call consultancy

As part of an application in the NWO call Computing Time on National Computing Facilities it is possible to request hours for visualization expertise specific for a project, next to requested compute resources. This applies to both Small and Large applications in the call.

Such expertise can be used, for example, to:

• Provide support to decide the best approach for visualization, or to optimize an existing visualization workflow, during a project
• Realize new visualization capabilities needed for a project, such as development of a new workflow or visualization application plugin
• Perform visualization of generated data, for example for analysis or communication

For whom?

Anyone that is eligible to apply in the NWO Computing Time on National Computing Facilities call can indicate a request for visualization expertise as part of the application.

How much support is available?

For visualization support the amount of consultancy hours that can be requested is in the range 40-160 for Small applications, for Large applications there is a maximum of 520 hours. 

Note that all requests for consultancy will be evaluated by SURF for (technical) feasibility, including taking expertise and availability of technical experts into account.

How to request?

You can enter the required hours of expertise in the proposal forms:

• For a Small application the Small Compute Applications (NWO) online form contains fields where you can indicate Consultancy hours, after you have enabled one or more of the infrastructures under Resources (e.g. Snellius)
• For a Large application you can indicate in section 5.2 Requested Expertise for which system(s) you request expertise, specifying the amount of hours in each year of the 2-year project period. Then, specify more details on the requested expertise in the relevant appendix(es) of section A under Associated expertise hours.

Questions?

In case you have questions about available consultancy as part of the NWO Compute Call you can either use our Service Desk, or contact us at visualization@surf.nl.

Visualization on SURF infrastructure

Detailed information on visualization possibilities on SURF infrastructure can be found here.

More information on visualization

For example, depending on the goal for a visualization and its intended audience different visualization primitives and styles can be used: