The global advanced 3D/4D visualization market is anticipated to progress at a steady growth rate over the forecast period.Visualization is a technique to communicate message by creating images, animations or diagrams. Visualization has expanding applications in various fields such as medicine, science, engineering, interactive media, etc. Invention of computer graphics has been the most important visualization development and animation has supported advance visualization on a large scale. Advanced technologies, improved efficiency, development in the area of AV technology, PACS module integration, eliminating the requirement of invasive surgical procedures, increase in importance in sports medicine, accurate diagnosis and increase in importance of display technologies are expected to be the major drivers for the market. Shift from thick client to thin client and cloud technology has been a major advancement in the area of advanced visualization. Dedicated workstations and mobile devices are expected to support the growth of this market. High initial cost and lack of 3D content are expected to be major market restraints. Emergence of 5D technology may pose threat to advanced (3D/4D) visualization systems.
By application, the market is divided into healthcare, consumer, industrial, education, entertainment, and government. Healthcare industry has been the largest application base for this market, of which radiology has held the largest global market share because visualization functionality has enhanced the efficiency of radiologist by streamlining workflow processes and also helped in making accurate diagnosis. Development in the field of advance visualization techniques such as 3D and 4D imaging has increased its application in various clinical departments and imaging modalities. Advanced 3D/4D visualization market is expected to show a huge potential in entertainment, industrial, education, consumer, and government sectors.
By region, the United States seized the largest global advanced 3D/4D visualization market share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a large scale due to strong economic growth, large patient pools, increase in number of hospitals and diagnostic centers with advanced imaging equipment, increasing acceptance of 3D and 4D technologies and increase in government spending on different healthcare programs.
Emerging economies are expected to be high potential markets for various players in advanced 3D or 4D visualization systems industry. The key and niche players in healthcare industry include TeraRecon Inc., Fujifilm Holding America Corporation, Siemens Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Carestream Health, Inc., Qi Imaging, Vital Images Inc., Visualization Sciences Group, Visage Imaging Inc., and Philips Healthcare. Major companies in other sectors include DreamWorks Animation Skg. Inc., Autodesk, Inc., Dolby Laboratories, Inc., LG Electronics, Barco, 3D Systems, Samsung, Stratasys, Sony Corporation and Panasonic Corporation.