brian@sdccsu3.UUCP (11/26/83)
x <- bug killer I'm fascinated by computer graphics, yet unable to find enough about the subject. Here at UCSD there is currently only one course in computer graphics; it is in the math dept and is an excellent introduction to some of the basic mathematics, but has little to offer in the way of advanced or sophisticated techniques. In part, this is due to the fact that the only graphics equipment students have available are such things as Apple computers, Tektronix 4025 terminals, and one lonely plotter. As you might guess, this has served only to whet my appetite for more. Some background: My particular interest is in graphics for animation/film/video, not just the pretty little charts that turn on managers and accountants. My formal education is in Computer Science/Engineering; I've worked as D.P. Manager for several large companies before re-entering school. For a while, I also worked as a tv news photographer; I consider filmmaking (video too) as my "second profession". I have a good background in electronics technology (started out to be an EE then changed to bit diddling). What I'm looking for is something that will let me exercise whatever artistic creativity I have in combination with my technical skills and education. Still not clear? I'd like to be doing things like you see in commercial spots, tv station logos, TRON, Star Trek, and other stuff like that. Those of you who attended the graphics session at UNICOM in San Diego a few months ago may have seen the videotape of the UCSD Q.M. Lab demonstration. I didn't do the graphics, but the rest of the tape was my work. I'm not looking for a job in this field just yet, but for more education and a chance to do some research. For those of you that HAVE some sort of computer graphics background, or who are working in the field: Where did you get your graphics education? What kind of support did your professors provide? Which texts and papers do you think are most usable. What would your suggestions be for undergrad and grad courses in computer graphics - both major and minor. If I can find a school that seems to care more for computer people interested in graphics than UCSD does, I'll probably transfer there, so this is not just an idle inquiry. Whatever help, advice, information, anecdotes, or stories you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Send me some mail with whatever you have. Thanks, as they say, in advance. -- -Brian Kantor, UC San Diego {decvax,ucbvax} !sdcsvax!sdccsu3!brian Kantor@Nosc