chapin@sunrise.Stanford.EDU (Bill Chapin) (11/12/90)
**** VSIGroup needs HELP! ****
To demonstrate Pixar's MacIntosh software including MacRenderman,
we need access to a Mac Fx, with 8MB and 24bit color, for our
Wednesday afternoon seminar. Our local source has fallen through,
so we are solicting our membership for help. Send a note to
vsig-request@sunrise.stanford.edu
if you can help. Seminar goers don't fear, we WILL demonstrate
the new Autodesk Renderman for the 386/486.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stanford University Forum Reminder <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ME 297 -- Design Theory and Methodology Forum on Virtual Space
Next forum (Wed., Nov. 14th, 7:30, Terman Auditorium):
Bill Kolomyjec, Ph.D
Renderman Evangelist
Pixar
"Renderman - a designer's companion"
A history of computer aided photorealism and surrealism with a focus
on the principles of Pixar's Renderman scene description language
will be presented with vibrant slides, video, and a special showing
of award-winning animated shorts, including:
Red's Dream, Luxo Jr., Tin Toy, and Knick Knack.
Family and friends are also invited to this colorful 90 minute
evening presentation in Terman Engineering Center's auditorium.
There will additionally be a seminar/demo on Renderman scene
description on at the forum's regular time/place (2:15, Terman 583).
BIO:
An accomplished artist, engineer, and professor, Dr. Kolomyjec has
been a believer in virtual space as a design medium for over a
decade. With Pixar, he seeks to spread the word and pictures about
the comprehesive, parametric scene description language called
Renderman. Dr. Kolomyjec was educated at Michigan State and has
taught engineering graphics, art and design at midwest institutions
including Ohio State and Northern Illinois universities.
VSIGroup comment:
With this quarter's apparent concentration on "virtual reality",
some have questioned the relevance of Renderman. To this we have
two comments: First, this quarter's focus is on the bigger topic
of "virtual space applications in design", to which "VR" is a
growing subset. Secondly, Renderman, if adopted, could have a
major impact on VR. Renderman's parametric shaders, unlike ray-
tracing, reduce a scene's dependence on the underlying geometry.
If a VR goal is to create a Gibsonian cyberspace, where patrons can
"jack-in" with heterogeneous hardware, the potential to pass
objects of basic geometry with shader attributes to local nodes may
be a central interest. The basic geometry will be much easier to
transform and the local rendering engines can parametrically
present images to its optimal ability. To render a Renderman scene
at realtime may require another 100 fold increase in graphics
performance, but, at our current pace, may be attainable this
decade.
"Tar & Rock" DT&M Forum Schedule:
November
21 No meeting: Thanksgiving
28* Chip Morningstar & Randy Farmer, AMIX
Lessons learned from Lucasfilm's Habitat
7:30pm, Terman Auditorium
December
5 Jim Kramer, Will Kessler & Larry Edwards, CDR
Virtual space research projects at Stanford
2:15pm, location TBA.
12 Randal Walser & Chris Allis, Autodesk Cyberia
The new second generation Autodesk Cyberspace
7:30pm, Skilling Auditorium
* Optional 3D modeling seminar at 2:15, Terman 583.
All members of the Stanford community, industry affiliates and
researchers in design and virtual space applications are invited.
sponsored by:
the VIRTUAL SPACE INTEREST GROUP of STANFORD
E-mail: vsig-request@sunrise.stanford.edu for more information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++ VSIG NEWS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please note:
1. There was a typographical error on previous forum schedules.
The Autodesk presentation will be on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH!
2. There will be OPTIONAL sessions to meet at the regular place and
time on Nov. 14th & 28th for 3D model rendering and design
respectively. The first will feature Pixar's Renderman scene
description. The second will examine the process of 3D geometry
creation, object heirarchy, and 3D kinematics.
3. Responding to requests to review past seminars, the tapes of
Scott Fisher and Mark Bolas are on reserve at Terman Engineering
Library. Tapes may be reviewed by current Stanford students,
staff, faculty, and approved affiliates. Other groups may be
able to borrow tapes of SOME speakers from the Virtual Reality
Film Documentary Project. Contact rlm@hudson.stanford.edu for
info. The Joe Rosen and Larry Leifer tapes will be on reserve
by week's end. Students will receive credit for tape review of
missed forums. Marc Levoy's presentation on data visualization
was not taped.