zyda@cs.nps.navy.mil (michael zyda) (10/17/89)
The Naval Postgraduate School's Computer Science Distinguished Speaker Series Presents INTERACTIVE 3D DISPLAYS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: Beyond the Desktop Metaphor Professor Henry Fuchs Department of Computer Science University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Date: October 19, 1989 Time: 3:10 - 4:00 pm Place: Spanagel 421 Host: Associate Professor Michael J. Zyda Abstract The direct manipulation WYSIWYG interface popularized by the Apple Macintosh is fine for most 2D applications but inadequate for most 3D ones. Described in this talk is work at UNC-Chapel Hill on a direct manipulation interactive 3D system based on Ivan Sutherland's head-mounted display ideas of the 1960's. In order to have a usefully-effective system of this kind, several major problems need to be solved: 1) absolutely real-time image generation with minimal lag, 2) precise but minimally obtrusive tracking of the user's head and hand, 3) generation of a comfortable and effective head-mounted display, and 4) development of new human-machine interaction protocols that work for real applications. At UNC-Chapel Hill we have been working on most of these problems: a) a new graphics system, Pixel-Planes 5, that should generate over 1 million polygons per second (about 10 times that of current top-of- the-line graphics workstations), b) a real-time head-tracking device that can determine the user's position in a large room by imaging LEDs on the ceiling with a small head-worn camera, and 3) interaction protocols for architectural and medical applications using this system in which the user can visualize, move about, and interact with a virtual 3D environment in a natural WYSIWYG fashion. A videotape sequence shows the current state of these various systems. Difficult remaining problems are described. About the Speaker Henry Fuchs is Federico Gil professor of computer science and adjunct professor of radiation oncology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received a BA in Information and Computer Science from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1970 and a PhD in computer science from the University of Utah in 1975. He has been an associate editor of ACM Transactions on Graphics (1983-1988) and the guest editor of its first issue. He was the technical program chair for ACM Siggraph'81 Conference, chairman of the 1985 Chapel Hill Conference on Advanced Research in VLSI, and chairman of the 1986 Chapel Hill Workshop on Interactive 3D Graphics. He serves on various advisory committees, including that of NSF's Division of Microelectronic Information Processing Systems and Stellar Computer's Technical Advisory Board. Attendance Notes This presentation is open to the public. The Naval Postgraduate School is adjacent to Highway 1 and is one of the first Monterey exits. The lecture will be held in Spanagel Hall 421. Spanagel Hall is the highest building on campus and is visible from Highway 1 as the 6 story building with all the antennas on top. Exit Highway 1 on Camino Aguajito. Take Camino Aguajito West (right off the Highway) to 7th St. Turn North on 7th (right turn). Take 7th to Sloat. Turn right on Sloat and take the first left into the school (at 9th St.). Spanagel Hall is in front of you, on your left. Park in a brown space, if possible. If you need telephone directions, contact the departmental office at (408) 646-2449.