A three-dimensional image display apparatus emphasizes display of a particular
portion using the volume rendering method, where a volume image constructed by
aligning a plurality of tomograms is shaded and projected on a predetermined projection
plane to produce a 3D image. A volume rendering method is used where, in an algorithm
for shading, virtual light beams are radiated from a virtual light source set outside
the volume image, and pixel values on the projection plane are calculated based
on reflectivity and density gradient of light beams at the respective pixels on
the projection plane. At a luminescence ratio allocating area, a luminescence ratio
is allocated for amplifying light beams entering pixels representing a particular
object to be emphasized. The thus-allocated luminescence ratio is added as a parameter
of the shading calculation in the volume rendering method and is used for calculation
of pixel values on the projection plane.