OVERVIEW
The demand for higher quality, faster computer graphics extends
throughout virtually all fields of science, types of industry, and
areas of government, from mathematics and engineering to the military
and entertainment. Such a pressured environment encourages ad hoc
approaches and short-term solutions to problems. With the
establishment of the Center, we are able to pursue the long-term,
discipline-wide goal of strengthening the foundations of computer
graphics and scientific visualization. While there has been great
progress in the last few years in hardware performance, algorithms,
and interaction techniques, far too many systems and applications
used in graphics and visualization today still depend on ad hoc
techniques rather than scientific foundations. More than ever, we
need to have computer graphics that doesn't just "look right" but
"is right": our models and algorithms must be physically-based and
subject to experimental validation.
Our strategy is based on coordinated foundational research in four
core areas: modeling, rendering, interaction, and performance. Work
in these areas is further focused, stimulated, and validated by two
key "driving application" research areas: scientific visualization
and a Center-wide effort on telecollaboration for mechanical CAD. An
increasing number of collaborative projects have become essential for
realizing the Center's goals. These projects and the sites involved
are shown in the diagram above.
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