In this paper, we propose a new approach to numerical smoke simulation for computer graphics applications. The method proposed here exploits physics unique to smoke in order to design a numerical method that is both fast and efficient on the relatively coarse grids traditionally used in computer graphics applications (as compared to the much finer grids used in the computational fluid dynamics literature). We use the inviscid Euler equations in our model, since they are usually more appropriate for gas modeling and less computationally intensive than the viscous NavierStokes equations used by others. In addition, we introduce a physically consistent vorticity confinement term to model the small scale rolling features characteristic of smoke that are absent on most coarse grid simulations. Our model also correctly handles the interaction of smoke with moving objects. Keywords: Smoke, computational fluid dynamics, Navier-Stokes equations, Euler equations, Semi-Lagrangian methods, stable fluids, vorticity confinement, participating media 1

Figure 1: (Left) Uniform 512x512 shadow map and resulting image. (Right) The same with a perspective shadow map of the same size. Shadow maps are probably the most widely used means for the generation of shadows, despite their well known aliasing problems. In this paper we introduce perspective shadow maps, which are generated in normalized device coordinate space, i.e., after perspective transformation. This results in important reduction of shadow map aliasing with almost no overhead. We correctly treat light source transformations and show how to include all objects which cast shadows in the transformed space. Perspective shadow maps can directly replace standard shadow maps for interactive hardware accelerated rendering as well as in high-quality, offline renderers. CR Categories: I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture/Image Generation—Bitmap and framebuffer operations; I.3.7 [Computer

We describe a method of recognizing handwritten digits by fitting generative models that are built from deformable B-splines with Gaussian "ink generators" spaced along the length of the spline. The splines are adjusted using a novel elastic matching procedure based on the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm that maximizes the likelihood of the model generating the data. This approach has many advantages. (1) After identifying the model most likely to have generated the data, the system not only produces a classification of the digit but also a rich description of the instantiation parameters which can yield information such as the writing style. (2) During the process of explaining the image, generative models can perform recognition driven segmentation. (3) The method involves a relatively small number of parameters and hence training is relatively easy and fast. (4) Unlike many other recognition schemes it does not rely on some form of pre-normalization of input images, but can ...

We describe a new method for analyzing, classifying, and evaluating filters that can be applied to interpolation filters as well as to arbitrary derivative filters of any order. Our analysis is based on the Taylor series expansion of the convolution sum. Our analysis shows the need and derives the method for the normalization of derivative filter weights. Under certain minimal restrictions of the underlying function, we are able to compute tight absolute error bounds of the reconstruction process. We demonstrate the utilization of our methods to the analysis of the class of cubic BC-spline filters. As our technique is not restricted to interpolation filters, we are able to show that the Catmull-Rom spline filter and its derivative are the most accurate reconstruction and derivative filters, respectively, among the class of BC-spline filters. We also present a new derivative filter which features better spatial accuracy than any derivative BC-spline filter, and is optimal within our fra...

Opacity shadow maps approximate light transmittance inside a complex volume with a set of planar opacity maps. A volume made of standard primitives (points, lines, and polygons) is sliced and rendered with graphics hardware to each opacity map that stores alpha values instead of traditionally used depth values. The alpha values are sampled in the maps enclosing each primitive point and interpolated for shadow computation. The algorithm is memory efficient and extensively exploits existing graphics hardware. The method is suited for generation of self-shadows in discontinuous volumes with explicit geometry, such as foliage, fur, and hairs. Continuous volumes such as clouds and smoke may also benefit from the approach.

This thesis presents a generic and principled solution for optimising the visual complexity of any arbitrary computer-generated virtual environment (VE). This is performed with the ultimate goal of reducing the inherent latencies of current virtual reality (VR) technology. Effectively, we wish to remove extraneous detail from an environment which the user cannot perceive, and thus modulate the graphical complexity of a VE with little or no perceptual artifacts. The work proceeds by investigating contemporary models and theories of visual perception and then applying these to the field of real-time computer graphics. Subsequently, a technique is devised to assess the perceptual content of a computer-generated image in terms of spatial frequency (c/deg), and a model of contrast sensitivity is formulated to describe a user's ability to perceive detail under various conditions in terms of this metric. This allows us to base the level of detail (LOD) of each object in a VE on a measure of ...

A parallel solution to the visualisation of high resolution vol- ume data is presented. Based on the ray tracing (RT) visu- alization technique, the system works on a distributed memory MIMD architecture. A hybrid strategy to ray tracing parallelization is applied, using ray dataflow within an image partition approach. This strategy allows the flexible and effective management of huge dataset on architectures with limited local memory. The dataset is distributed over the nodes using a slice-partitioning technique. The simple data partition chosen implies a straighforward communications pattern of the visualization processes and this improves both software design and eJciency, while providing deadlock prevention. The partitioning technique used and the network interconnection topology allow for the efficient implementation of a statical load balancing technique through pre-rendering of a low resolution image. Details related to the practical issues involved in the parallelization of volumetric RT are discussed, with particular reference to deadlock and termi- nation issues.

Adding animation to interfaces is a very difficult task with today's toolkits, even though there are many situations in which it would be useful and effective. The Amulet toolkit contains a new form of animation constraint that allows animations to be added to interfaces extremely easily without changing the logic of the application or the graphical objects themselves. An animation constraint detects changes to the value of the slot to which it is attached, and causes the slot to instead take on a series of values interpolated between the original and new values. The advantage over previous approaches is that animation constraints provide significantly better modularity and reuse. The programmer has independent control over the graphics to be animated, the start and end values of the animation, the path through value space, and the timing of the animation. Animations can be attached to any object, even existing widgets from the toolkit, and any type of value can be animated: scalars, ...

This paper describes an image metamorphosis technique to handle scattered feature constraints specified with points, polylines, and splines. Solutions to the following three problems are presented: feature specification, warp generation, and transition control. We demonstrate the use of snakes to reduce the burden of feature specification. Next, we propose the use of multilevel freeform deformations (MFFD) to compute C -continuous and one-to-one mapping functions among the specified features. The resulting technique, based on B-spline approximation, is simpler and faster than previous warp generation methods. Furthermore, it produces smooth image transformations without undesirable ripples and foldovers. Finally, we simplify the MFFD algorithm to derive transition functions to control geometry and color blending. Implementation details are furnished and comparisons among various metamorphosis techniques are presented.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men (25% of men with prostate cancer will die of the disease). The most common method of detecting this malignancy is digital rectal examination (DRE). Current DRE training requires medical students to examine a large number of patients before attaining adequate experience. We propose to solve this problem using a virtual reality digital rectal examination simulation. The prototype system consists of a PHANToM haptic interface which provides feedback to the trainee's index finger, a motion restricting board and an SGI workstation, which renders the patient 's anatomy in the region of interest. Four types of prostate were modeled using OpenGL and GHOST haptic library-- normal, enlarged with no tumor, incipient malignancy (single tumor), and advanced malignancy (tumor cluster). Results of initial human factors studies are encouraging, while pointing out the need for more realistic physical modeling. 1 Introduction Prosta...