Volumetric

Volumetric is an adjective used across disciplines to denote relation to volume or to three-dimensional space. In physics and measurement, something is described as volumetric when it concerns the amount of space an object or substance occupies, typically quantified in cubic units. Volumetric measurements are common in chemistry, medicine, engineering, and industry, and may involve devices such as volumetric flasks and burettes for precise liquid volumes, or flow meters for the rate of volume per time.

In computer graphics and visualization, volumetric refers to phenomena that occupy space rather than surfaces, such as volumetric rendering and volumetric lighting. These techniques simulate the interaction of light with participating media like fog, smoke, or clouds, producing effects that contribute to depth and atmosphere.

In medical imaging and research, volumetric data describes three-dimensional information collected by modalities such as CT and MRI. Volume data is represented as stacks of slices or as a 3D grid, enabling volume rendering, segmentation, and measurement of anatomical structures or lesions.

Other uses include volumetric flow rate, the volume of fluid passing a point per unit time, and volumetric efficiency, a measure of how effectively an engine or compressor utilizes its displacement volume. Volumetric capture and volumetric video refer to recording real-world scenes from multiple angles to reconstruct 3D representations for immersive media.