Abstract: The problems of 3-D vortex reconstruction by means of vortex cross-section visualization obtained with a laser sheet is discussed. It includes the cross-section sampling methods, digital image processing, 3-D display and reconstruction algorithms. A 3-D representation of the vortex field is obtained by stacking the contours in sequence with a constant separation distance between cross-sectional planes.The topological features of the spatial construction of vortex can be comprehended from this display of perspective projections. The multiple directional 3-D staircase surface vortex representations are given and the experimental model is a delta wing with flap in transonic wind tunnel.

Key words: digital image processing, computer graphics, three-dimensional repre-sentation, flow visualization