Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!dali.cs.montana.edu!milton!chapin@sunrise.Stanford.EDU From: chapin@sunrise.Stanford.EDU (Bill Chapin) Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds Subject: VSIGroup's DT&M Forum for 11/14 Message-ID: <11019@milton.u.washington.edu> Date: 12 Nov 90 10:02:39 GMT Sender: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu Lines: 113 Approved: hitl@hardy.u.washington.edu **** 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.