The Visualization ToolKit (VTK) is an open source, freely available software system for 3D computer graphics, image processing, and visualization used by thousands of researchers and developers around the world. VTK consists of a C++ class library, and several interpreted interface layers including Tcl/Tk, Java, and Python. VTK supports a wide variety of visualization algorithms including scalar, vector, tensor, texture, and volumetric methods; and advanced modeling techniques such as implicit modelling, polygon reduction, mesh smoothing, cutting, contouring, and Delaunay triangulation. In addition, dozens of imaging algorithms have been directly integrated to allow the user to mix 2D imaging / 3D graphics algorithms and data. The design and implementation of the library has been strongly influenced by object-oriented principles. VTK has been installed and tested on nearly every Unix-based platform and PCs (Windows 98/ME/NT/2000).

Many resources exist to help you utilize the full potential of VTK in your application area. These resources include:

Mailing List: Nearly 1000 users are subscribed to this list. A great place to post questions, and search for answers.

User's Guide: The Visualization Toolkit User's Guide, ISBN1-930934-05-X, Kitware. This is the book to get if you want to learn how to use VTK.

Textbook: The Visualization Toolkit, An Object-Oriented Approach To 3D Graphics, 2nd edition, ISBN 0-13-954694-4, Prentice-Hall. This is a great book to read if you want to learn the details of the visualization algorithms.