Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!husc6!encore!cloud9!cme
From: cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Carl Ellison)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: Computer Graphics & Entertainment
Summary: fooled me, too
Message-ID: <4558@cloud9.Stratus.COM>
Date: 27 Mar 89 14:16:40 GMT
References: <1530@wpi.wpi.edu>
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 21

In article <1530@wpi.wpi.edu>, dseah@wpi.wpi.edu (David I Seah) writes:
>           When I watch the
> beginning of Star Trek The Next Generation (with the whizzing planets), I
> thought that the whole thing was computer generated.  Is this true?  Are the
> vessels used in the series also computer generated?

At first, I thought the ship must be computer generated.  I know that such
renderings are possible -- even routine -- and, besides, I can see aliasing
and occasional drop-outs at the edges (especially where the ship's edge
intersects the planet edge).  However, I was fooled, too.

I heard/read/saw an interview with the special effects person for ST:TNG
and learned that it's not 3D rendering.  It's computer manipulated frames
at best.  That is, they use standard TV frame manipulators.

The planets look like Jim Blinn's work, so those are probably computer
generated.


--Carl Ellison                      UUCP::  cme@cloud9.Stratus.COM
SNail:: Stratus Computer; 55 Fairbanks Blvd.; Marlborough MA 01752
Disclaimer::  (of course)