scientific visualization, process of graphically displaying real or simulated scientific data. It is a vital procedure in the creative realization of scientific ideas, particularly in computer science. Basic visualization techniques include surface rendering, volume rendering, and animation. High-performance workstations or supercomputers are used to show simulations, and high-level programming languages are being developed to support visualization programming. Scientific visualization has applications in biology, business, chemistry, computer science, education, engineering, and medicine.