MIP rendering in WebGL (integration of EXT_blend_minmax)

Dear all,

I am the main developer of the Orthanc open-source software, that is an open-source server for storing medical images [1]. We currently plan to extend Orthanc so as to propose a Web-based interface for displaying 2D/3D images according to medical standards. Obviously, this would be a huge step toward the adoption of WebGL in scientific applications.

Unfortunately, medical/scientific visualization requires native support for MIP rendering (Maximum Intensity Projection) in WebGL [2]. Currently, it seems that only the FUNC_ADD, FUND_SUBTRACT and FUNC_REVERSE_SUBTRACT blending equations are supported in OpenGL ES [3]. However, the extension “EXT_blend_minmax” currently brings MIP rendering to OpenGL ES [4], but not (yet) to WebGL.

I am therefore convinced that porting the “EXT_blend_minmax” inside WebGL would be of major interest for the adoption of WebGL, both in medical and scientific applications.

How is it possible to suggest to the Khronos group to integrate this extension inside WebGL? Should we contact Firefox developers?

Thanks in advance for your help,
S. Jodogne-

[1] https://code.google.com/p/orthanc/
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_in … projection
[3] http://www.khronos.org/opengles/sdk/doc … uation.xml
[4] http://www.opengl.org/registry/specs/EX … minmax.txt

Hi,

Would you be able to post your question on the Public WebGL mailing list. You can get some good feedback and a discussion going from the community as a whole.

Public Mailing list signup page:
http://www.khronos.org/webgl/public-mailing-list/

Thanks!