A system automatically detects objects in an image and automatically displays a chosen object if the object is not currently visible in real time. An image data processing system automatically displays potentially hidden features in 3D (three dimensional) medical image data. A repository includes a 3D (three dimensional) image dataset representing an anatomical volume of interest. An image data processor processes the dataset retrieved from the repository by, (a) automatically detecting if a first object is obscured by a second object in the 3D image dataset, (b) automatically determining if the first object is visible by rotating the anatomical volume of interest and (c) rotating the anatomical volume of interest until the first object is visible in response to a command. A display processor initiates display of the rotated anatomical volume of interest.