Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important?

Posted by phd_student on Friday March 20, 2009 @11:25PM
from the ask-hn dept.

Many areas of CS have "practical value": algorithms help us understand asymptotic speed of algorithms; security helps us avoid getting hacked; networks teach us how to deal with distributed, unreliable machines; machine learning helps us deal with noisy, large data sets; ... however, computer graphics research these days seems to be focused mainly on entertainment ... anyone here see what uses will come from it besides computer games / holly wood?

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Re:Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important? by comatose_kid on Saturday March 21, 2009 @04:21AM (#526035)

Entertainment is important.

If that's not up your alley, there's medical imaging, data visualization, novel HCI stuff (eg, Johnny Lee's work at CMU).

CG has practical value - much of what is currently displayed on your screen (windowing systems, anti-aliased font rendering) is a result of CG research.

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Re:Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important? by mcav on Friday March 20, 2009 @11:59PM (#525930)

GPU research seems to be increasingly important in the search for faster processing power (in conjunction with CPUs). As we grab better, larger, higher resolution displays, graphics will become more useful for displaying data. Without great graphics to match increasing CPU power, we'd be left with a rather boring computing experience.

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Re:Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important? by noodle on Saturday March 21, 2009 @12:00AM (#525931)

simulations. medical simulators, flight simulators, etc..

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Re:Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important? by jibiki on Friday March 20, 2009 @11:27PM (#525910)

MRI stuff, but maybe that's already been done.

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Re:Ask HN: why is computer graphics research important? by JMiao on Saturday March 21, 2009 @04:06AM (#526030)

there's a graphics group at stanford that simulates surgical procedures (scalpel to skin precision, etc.).

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