Computers infiltrate
surgery, art studio
and University study
Surgeons look at a three-dimensional model, trying to
determine how they should procede with surgery to
reconstruct the patient's face.
An artist stares at the computer terminal before quickly
punching the buttons to produce a new work of art.
The University student, after a one-term course, pro
grams a computer to take a plot of land, put buildings on it
and rotate it so all sides of the project can be seen.
Computer graphics have been applied to these fields to
enhance their efficiency and creativity.
"We don't want to be computer scientists," says Gene
Bressler, a landscape architecture professor who uses com
puter graphics in land use planning. "We want to use com
puter technology in our fields but we need computer scien
tists to help us with our applications."
The uses for computer graphics are expanding every
year as more people in different fields become aware of the
usefulness of computer technology. Five to 10 years ago,
only hard core "basic" scientists used computers. Now the
number of fields has expanded, adding a new dimension to
some professors' work.
Bressler has been teaching computer graphics for the
10 years he has been at the University, spurred by his initial
interest in them while a graduate student at Harvard
University.
While he is teaching, Bressler constantly looks for guest
lecturers to present new perspectives to his students. One
day, he and colleague Ken O'Connell, a fine arts professor
who works with computer graphics, began discussing how
their needs overlapped.
Out of that discussion, the computer graphics con
ference was born.
At first, they planned a small workshop or series of
seminars, but it soon ballooned into a full-blown con
ference in the Eugene Conference Center, attracting about
Plastic surgeons can use a computer to reconstruct an acci
dent victim's face.
A visual display of sine waves can help scientists understand a complex concept.
WU people.
That was last year — now O'Connell and Bressler are
gearing up for the second annual Computer Graphics Con
ference set for Oct. 24-25 at the Eugene Conference Center
and Hult Center for the Performing Arts.
"Applications on the leading edge" will feature 10
speakers about aspects of computer graphics ranging from
their applications in surgery to animation to athletic shoe
design to land use planning.
Cost for students hs $30, faculty and staff pay $50 and
others pay $60 if they meet the "early bird" deadline of Oct.
5. Prices jump $10 after Oct. 5. Rates are also available for
just Monday or just Tuesday.
The steering committee of interested faculty, staff and
students began planning the event in March. They con
ducted a nationwide search for the speakers and lined up
not-for-sale exhibits and commerical vendors.
The conference has a budget of about $40,000, but
Bressler hopes it will gross about $50,000 to $60,000 with the
extra funds to be used for (what else?) next year's
conference.
To people in the field, the University's involvement in
the conference solidifies its position in the field.
"We're being looked at because of this conference,"
says Bressler, "and people seem to be impressed."
Bressler hopes the State Board of Higher Education will
be impressed enough to approve a new institute of com
puter graphics that he and O'Connell will push for after the
conference is over.
"We want to build up our credibility before we go to
the board," says Bressler. "The state board is looking to cut
back and we want to show the high demand for this
program."
Besides the institute, Bressler also plans to set up an
academic minor in computer graphics. "It will open up
Chemists can determine molecular structure with computer
graphics.
tremendous job potential.
“The potential for computer graphics at the University
of Oregon is just tremendous," says Bressler. “We have an
established tradition of computer graphics use and
development.
"One of our dreams — our hopes — is to become a
leader in computer graphics application."
The conference is a good start.
Story by Sandy Johnstone
Photos courtesy of Computer Graphics Conference
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