Flow is represented by a synthesized or artificial pattern. Motion is
visualized by apparent displacement of pixels from one frame to the next.
An artificial pattern is introduced in order to present the flow. A
changing parameter, such as velocity, is viewed as a function of multiple
images or over time. The rate of change of the parameter is proportional
to the perceived or actual motion. Humans perceive flow as a live stream,
such as tap water pouring from a faucet or a stream in a creek. Flow
associated with medical imaging is presented in a similar way, such that
a pattern or other flow information persists over multiple images. The
flow is synthesized by generating patterns and moving the generated
patterns in the field of view. The direction and rate of motion of the
pattern are a function of the direction and rate of the flow.