SIGGRAPH 2004 Sketches Program Shows Record Growth.

CHICAGO -- ACM SIGGRAPH announced the content of the Sketches program for SIGGRAPH 2004, the 31st International Conference on Computer Graphics and Techniques, being held 8 -12 August, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. A record 423 submissions were submitted to Sketches and 153 were chosen for presentation at the conference.

The SIGGRAPH 2004 Sketches program is a premier forum for presenting the latest new ideas, methods, interdisciplinary applications, and uses of computer graphics and interactive techniques. Presentations cover a broad spectrum of topics in art, design, science, engineering, academic research, industrial development, practical tools, and behind-the-scenes explanations of commercial and artistic works.

"The record number of submissions is due in large part to an increase in submissions from animation and special-effects studios - reflecting the role of the Sketches program as the primary venue for presentations in the industry," said Ronen Barzel, SIGGRAPH 2004 Sketches Chair. "The jury selected submissions that not only have spectacular results, but also showcase new techniques and insights for achieving those results."

Highlights from the SIGGRAPH 2004 Sketches Program:

The Art of SSX3
    Henry LaBounta, Electronic Arts Canada
    A behind-the-scenes look at the visual development of the SSX3
videogame. The creative process used to develop the visuals that
support and enhance gameplay will also be discussed.

    Artifacts of the Presence Era: Visualizing Presence for Posterity
    Judith Donath, Ethan Howe, Ethan Perry, and Fernanda B. Viegas,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab
    This powerful art installation uses a geological metaphor to
create an impressionistic visualization of the evolving history in a
museum gallery.

    Controsenso But Not So Much: Digital Artifacts to Ease
Communication and Exchange With Seeing-Impaired People
    Maria Alberta Alberti, Universita degli Studi di Milano
    Andrea Brogi, Luca Dusio, and Manuela Garcia, Politecnico di
Milano
    Stephan Knobloch, Koln International School of Design Paola
Trapani, Universita degli Studi di Milano
    A truly unique perspective into Genoa, Italy as it has never been
seen before. A tour guided by seeing-impaired people to reveal city
life in poetry. An engaging and interactive storytelling enhanced by
sound and images.

    Experimental Validation of Analytical BRDF Models
    Addy Ngan, Fredo Durand, and Wojciech Matusik, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
    A guide to the performance of several popular BRDF models based on
experimental validations employing a large dataset of real BRDFs
measured with high precision.

    Making of the Superpunch
    George Borshukov, Ken Faiman, John Jack, Oystein Larsen, Tadao
Mihashi, Kody Sabourin, and Masuo Suzuki, ESC Entertainment
    Oliver James and Scot Schinderman, formerly ESC Entertainment
    The Superpunch was considered the most difficult shot in all "The
Matrix" sequels - most notably due to the challenge of showing a
full-frame computer-generated face of a well-known human actor.

    Modeling Expressive 3D Caricatures
    Ergun Akleman and Jon Reisch, Texas A&M University
    An educational method to teach students artistic concepts of
abstraction and exaggeration by modeling expressive 3D caricatures.
All students, regardless of artistic abilities or experience, are able
to create convincing caricatures.

    Photometric Stereo for Archeological Inscriptions
    Per Einarsson, Linkopings universitet
    Paul Debevec and Tim Hawkins, USC Institute for Creative
Technologies
    A low-cost system suitable for use in the field for acquiring
high-resolution geometry and reflectance properties using photometric
stereo.

    Unlighting the Parthenon
    Christopher Tchou, Paul Debevec, Per Einarsson, Marcos Fajardo,
and Jessi Stumpfel, USC Institute for Creative Technologies
    A method for calculating the reflectance a complex diffuse
object's surface in arbitrary natural lighting. Computer animation
techniques are used to transport viewers back to Athens and the
building's original sculptures, which are presently scattered in
museums around the world. This impressive animation was also selected
for the SIGGRAPH 2004 Computer Animation Festival.

The SIGGRAPH 2004 Sketches program is Sunday, 8 August through Thursday, 12 August. For a complete preview of the Sketches program http://www.siggraph.org/s2004/conference/sketches

For the first time, SIGGRAPH 2004 offers a One Day registration option. For all registration information, contact SIGGRAPH 2004 Registration Management, 11212 Waples Mill Road, Suite 104, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, +1.703.449.6418 phone, +1.703.631.6288 fax.

SIGGRAPH 2004 will bring the international computer graphics and interactive technology community from six continents to Los Angeles for the week-long conference, 8-12 August. A comprehensive technical program and special events focusing on research, art, animation, games, interactivity, and the web are planned. SIGGRAPH 2004 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services for the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 10-12 August 2004.

ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques, sponsors SIGGRAPH 2004.