A method for segmenting image data includes identifying a 2D boundary start position corresponding to tissue of interest in a cross-section of volumetric image data, wherein the start position is identified by a current position of a graphical pointer with respect to the cross-section, generating a preview 2D boundary for the tissue of interest based on the start position, displaying the preview 2D boundary superimposed over the cross-section, and updating the displayed preview 2D boundary if the position of the graphical pointer changes with respect to the cross-section.