Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!labtam!graeme
From: graeme@labtam.labtam.oz (Graeme Gill)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Scene Description Standard
Summary: Some info about MIRALab image synthesis software
Message-ID: <10503@labtam.labtam.oz>
Date: 6 May 91 01:41:07 GMT
References: <MATT.91Apr30142917@mandala.think.com> <248@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp> <1991May2.134020.4952@cc.tut.fi>
Organization: Labtam Australia Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia
Lines: 72

In article <1991May2.134020.4952@cc.tut.fi>, jk87377@cc.tut.fi (Juhana Kouhia) writes:
> 
> How about Thalmann & Magnanet-Thalmann animation language?
> I have not read much about it, so I'm wondering if anyone could make a
> summary about it.

	The following info is from the book:

	Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann, Daniel Thalmann,"Image Synthesis:
	Theory and Practice", Computer Science Workbench,
	Editor: Tosiyasu L. Kunii, Springer-Verlag, ISBN 0-387-70023-4

    MIRALab is the image synthesis and computing laboratory of the University
of Montreal. Two types of software have been produced:

	Research and development tools:

	MIRA-SHADING, the main language for synthesis and animation of
	realistic images.
	CINEMIRA-2, an animation sub-language.
	INTERMIRA, a specification language for interactive image synthesis
	and animation systems.
	EXPERTMIRA, an Artificial Intelligence language for the development
	of expert systems in image synthesis and animation.

	User-friendly systems:

	The MIRANIM director oriented system, an advanced actor based animation
	system.
	The SABRINA image synthesis system.
	The MUTAN multiple track animator system for motion synchronization.
	The HUMAN FACTORY system, an animation system for articulated bodies.


    A description of the SABRINA image synthesis system is given in the book
as well as a look at some of the other systems listed above. References are
given to more detailed descriptions. The book came with an insert with the
following on it:

		More information about the MIRALab
		Image Synthesis System SABRINA is
		available upon request. Manuals and
		software for D.E.C. VAX VMS systems
		can be ordered at the following address:

		N. Magnenat-Thalmann
		HEC, Universite de Montreal
		5255 avenue Decelles
		Montreal, P.Q.
		Canada, H3T 1V6

    For those interested in this book, here is some of the preface:

	Image Synthesis: Theory and Practice is the first book completely
	dedicated to the numerous techniques of image synthesis. The book
	contains a detailed description of the most important algorithms;
	other algorithms are summarized or simply listed.

> What it can do? What is the difference between T&M-T
> language and RenderMan? Etc.

	I am not familiar enough with any of these languages to give
a definitive answer to this question. However, these tools seem to be complete
enough that some spectacular animations have been generated with them. The
most well known is probably "Rendez-vous a Montreal".

	Graeme Gill
	Labtam Australia