ABOUT THE COVER The Exploration and Discovery of Computer Graphics Hans Westman Computer Graphics Cover Editor The images selected for this issue ™s cover represent two important aspects contributing to the development of computer graphics; namely exploration and discovery. When one sits in front of a monitor and clicks on the icons that start the programs we use, I am sure that most of us take for granted the ease in which digital applications assist us in getting our job done. In education, we have made it our business to teach students how these software programs work. Most often we presume that everyone knows at least the fundamentals, such as how to use a word processor or how to save and retrieve files. Not so. As an example, there is a population within the core of our animation students that (great surprise!) are very unfamiliar with computers and the logic of how they work.They like to draw and paint.They have since childhood and, obviously, never stopped. Somewhere along the way to growing up, they intuited that work should be play and are now determined to keep it that way. I have to agree. What one chooses to do in life should be fun, even if it has to be productive and a contribution to the greater good of society. However, today computers play a big role in what makes the greater good of society greater and will ultimately be a part of most everyone ™s skills. The question is where does the fun factor come in when working with computers, especially when work and productivity are such serious issues? Clearly it would help if introductions to digital technologies were made in a playful environment. If you have ever had the opportunity to attend any of the conferences, chances are you stumbled across the activities at The Guerilla Studio, the digital playpen of SIGGRAPH. I did last summer in San Diego, where I encountered a bunch of people swarming two rooms filled with digital toys that one was actually allowed to touch, even if one didn ™t really know what one was doing. Let me tell you first hand “ discovering computer graphics while having fun is serious business! Studio Chair Peter Braccio has written a wonderful article about his involvement in leading efforts to ensure The Guerilla Studio remains a SIGGRAPH conference venue. He also shares some of the 2003 experiences he had with the people (image back cover) and companies that contributed their knowledge, time and products to make sure the Studio happened. Mark Thomas is one of those people and is also President of the New Zealand company Right Hemisphere, maker of the Deep Paint software line (image front cover). He is an entrepreneur and explorer in the realms of digital visualization and a visionary in how 3D applications will become as user-friendly and commonplace in daily tasks as today ™s word processors. His article is compelling in its description of the computer graphics pipeline and of the 3D software innovations to come. So, if you haven ™t already, take some time to explore and discover the joys of computer graphics “ and by all means, have fun while you ™re doing it! Front Cover Artist: Greg Punchatz, Jamination By permission of Right Hemisphere Back Cover The Guerilla Studio at SIGGRAPH 2003 About the Cover Editor Hans Westman has been active as an artist and educator in both Sweden and the U.S. since 1976. He discovered animation as an art form in the late ˜70s, which resulted in an experimental film entitled Unitism. In 1987 he was exposed to computer manipulated imagery and has been working professionally with the medium ever since. He is currently the Academic Department Director for Media Arts & Animation at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Hans Westman Academic Department Director Media Arts & Animation The Art Institute of Pittsburgh 420 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1328 Tel: +1-412-291-6409 Email: hans.westman@gte.net Februar y 2004

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