ST1: Modeling the Appearance and Behavior of Urban Spaces


Date: Wednesday, April 1st, Time: 9:00 - 10:30, Room: HS2

Presenters
Carlos A. Vanegas (Purdue University), Daniel G. Aliaga (Purdue University), Pascal Müller (Procedural Inc.), Paul Waddell (University of Washington), Ben Watson (NC State University), Peter Wonka (Arizona State University)

Abstract
Urban environments consist of a complex collection of physical structures and social behaviors. Accurately modeling both the appearance and the behavior of dense urban areas is a significant challenge. The recent surge in urban data and its availability via the Internet (e.g., Google Earth/Maps, Microsoft Visual Earth) has fomented a significant amount of research in computer graphics and in a number of applications in urban planning, emergency management, and visualization. In this state-of-the-art report, we seek to provide an overview of methods spanning computer graphics and related fields involved in this goal. Our paper reports the most prominent methods in urban modeling and rendering, urban visualization and urban simulation models. A reader will be well versed in the key problems and current solution methods.

ST2: High Dynamic Range Imaging and LDR Expansion for Generating HDR Content


Date: Wednesday, April 1st, Time: 11:00 - 12:30, Room: HS2

Presenters
Francesco Banterle (University of Warwick), Kurt Debattista (University of Warwick), Alessandro Artusi (University of Warwick), Sumanta Pattanaik (University of Central Florida), Karol Myszkowski (Max-Planck-Institut für Informatik), Patrick Ledda (University of Warwick), Marina Bloj (University of Bradford), and Alan Chalmers (University of Warwick)

Abstract
In the last few years researches in the High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging field have focused on providing tools for expanding LDR content for the generation of HDR images and videos for HDR displays and Image Based Lighting. Furthermore, another important problem has been tackled, the space compression of HDR content using a tone mapping operator (TMOs) and its inverse. The goal of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview on HDR Imaging, and an in depth review on these emerging topics. Moreover, we are proposing how to classify and to validate them. Furthermore, limits of these methods are discussed, showing the remaining challenges for the future.

ST3: Real Time Character Animation: on Naturalness and Control


Date: Wednesday, April 1st, Time: 16:00 - 17:30, Room: HS2

Presenters
H. van Welbergen (University of Twente), B. J. H. van Basten (Utrecht University), A. Egges (Utrecht University), Zs. Ruttkay (University of Twente), M. H. Overmars (Utrecht University)

Abstract
Virtual humans are employed in many interactive applications using 3D virtual environments, including (serious) games. The motion of such virtual humans should look realistic (or ’natural’) and allow interaction with the surroundings and other (virtual) humans. Current animation techniques differ in the trade-off the offer between their motion naturalness and the amount of control that can be exerted over the motion. We give an overview of these techniques, focusing on the exact trade-offs made. We show how to parameterize, combine (on different body parts) and concatenate motions to gain control. We discus several aspects of motion naturalness and show how it can be evaluated. We conclude by showing the promise of combinations of different animation paradigms to enhance both naturalness and control.

ST4: Over Two Decades of Geometric Vector Field Visualization


Date: Thursday, April 2nd, Time: 9:00 - 10:30, Room: HS3

Presenters
Tony McLoughlin (Swansea University) , Robert S. Laramee (Swansea University) , Ronald Peikert (ETH Zürich), and Min Chen (Swansea University)

Abstract
Flow visualization is a fascinating sub-branch of scientific visualization. With ever increasing computing power, it is possible to process ever more complex fluid simulations. However, a gap between data set sizes and our ability to visualize them remains. This is especially true for the field of flow visualization which deals with large, time- dependent, multivariate simulation datasets. In this paper, geometry based flow visualization techniques form the focus of discussion. Geometric flow visualization methods place discrete objects in the vector field whose characteristics reflect the underlying properties of the flow. A great amount of progress has been made in this field over the last two decades. However, a number of challenges remain, including placement, speed of computation, and perception. In this survey, we review and classify geometric flow visualization literature according to the most important challenges when considering such a visualization, a central theme being the seeding object upon which they are based. This paper details our investigation into these techniques with discussions on their applicability and their relative merits and drawbacks. The result is an up-to-date overview of the current state-of-the-art that highlights both solved and unsolved problems in this rapidly evolving branch of research. It also serves as a concise introduction to the field of flow visualization research.

ST5: State of the Art in Example-based Texture Synthesis


Date: Thursday, April 2nd, Time: 11:00 - 12:30, Room: HS3

Presenters
Li-Yi Wei (Microsoft), Sylvain Lefebvre (INRIA Sophia-Antipolis), Vivek Kwatra (Google), Greg Turk (Georgia Tech)

Abstract
Recent years have witnessed significant progress in example-based texture synthesis algorithms. In this state-of- the-art report, we aim to achieve three goals: (1) a tutorial that is easy to learn and understand for readers not already familiar with this subject, (2) a comprehensive survey and comparisons for different methods, and (3) a vision for future work that would guide and motivate readers interested in texture synthesis to pursue further research. We plan to cover fundamental algorithms as well as extensions and applications for texture synthesis.

ST6: Time-of-Flight Sensors in Computer Graphics


Date: Friday, April 3rd, Time: 9:30 - 11:00, Room: HS3

Presenters
Andreas Kolb (University of Siegen) , Erhardt Barth (University of Lübeck), Reinhard Koch (Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel), Rasmus Larsen (Technical University Copenhagen)

Abstract
A growing number of applications depend on accurate and fast 3D scene analysis. Examples are model and lightfield acquisition, collision prevention, mixed reality, and gesture recognition. The estimation of a range map by image analysis or laser scan techniques is still a time-consuming and expensive part of such systems. A lower-priced, fast and robust alternative for distance measurements are Time-of-Flight (ToF) cameras. Recently, significant improvements have been made in order to achieve low-cost and compact ToF-devices, that have the potential to revolutionize many fields of research, including Computer Graphics, Computer Vision and Human Computer Interaction (HCI). These technologies are STting to have an impact on research and commercial applications. The upcoming gen- eration of ToF sensors, however, will be even more powerful and will have the potential to become “ubiquitous interactive geometry devices” for gaming, web-conferencing, and numerous other applications. This ST will give an account of some recent developments in ToF-technology and will discuss applications of this technology for graphics applications.