ModelDistanceColorMap.py

# Show the distance between models as colors

# Create two models

createModelsLogic = slicer.modules.createmodels.logic()
cubeNode = createModelsLogic.CreateCube(150, 150, 150)
sphereNode = createModelsLogic.CreateSphere(100)

# Hide original models, so only the output will be visible

cubeNode.SetDisplayVisibility(False)
sphereNode.SetDisplayVisibility(False)

# Create a filter that computes distances and stores them in PolyData scalars

distanceFilter = vtk.vtkDistancePolyDataFilter()
distanceFilter.SetInputData(0, sphereNode.GetPolyData())
distanceFilter.SetInputData(1, cubeNode.GetPolyData())
distanceFilter.SignedDistanceOff()
distanceFilter.Update()

# Crete a model node for the output PolyData

model = slicer.vtkMRMLModelNode()
slicer.mrmlScene.AddNode( model )
model.SetName('DistanceModelNode')
model.SetAndObservePolyData( distanceFilter.GetOutput() )
display = slicer.vtkMRMLModelDisplayNode()
slicer.mrmlScene.AddNode( display )
model.SetAndObserveDisplayNodeID( display.GetID() )
display.SetActiveScalarName('Distance')
display.SetAndObserveColorNodeID('vtkMRMLColorTableNodeFileColdToHotRainbow.txt')
display.SetScalarVisibility(True)