12,468 research outputs found
Engineering visualization utilizing advanced animation
Engineering visualization is the use of computer graphics to depict engineering analysis and simulation in visual form from project planning through documentation. Graphics displays let engineers see data represented dynamically which permits the quick evaluation of results. The current state of graphics hardware and software generally allows the creation of two types of 3D graphics. The use of animated video as an engineering visualization tool is presented. The engineering, animation, and videography aspects of animated video production are each discussed. Specific issues include the integration of staffing expertise, hardware, software, and the various production processes. A detailed explanation of the animation process reveals the capabilities of this unique engineering visualization method. Automation of animation and video production processes are covered and future directions are proposed
Opt: A Domain Specific Language for Non-linear Least Squares Optimization in Graphics and Imaging
Many graphics and vision problems can be expressed as non-linear least
squares optimizations of objective functions over visual data, such as images
and meshes. The mathematical descriptions of these functions are extremely
concise, but their implementation in real code is tedious, especially when
optimized for real-time performance on modern GPUs in interactive applications.
In this work, we propose a new language, Opt (available under
http://optlang.org), for writing these objective functions over image- or
graph-structured unknowns concisely and at a high level. Our compiler
automatically transforms these specifications into state-of-the-art GPU solvers
based on Gauss-Newton or Levenberg-Marquardt methods. Opt can generate
different variations of the solver, so users can easily explore tradeoffs in
numerical precision, matrix-free methods, and solver approaches. In our
results, we implement a variety of real-world graphics and vision applications.
Their energy functions are expressible in tens of lines of code, and produce
highly-optimized GPU solver implementations. These solver have performance
competitive with the best published hand-tuned, application-specific GPU
solvers, and orders of magnitude beyond a general-purpose auto-generated
solver
Automated, objective texture segmentation of multibeam echosounder data - Seafloor survey and substrate maps from James Island to Ozette Lake, Washington Outer Coast
Without knowledge of basic seafloor characteristics, the ability to address any number of critical marine and/or coastal management issues is diminished. For example,
management and conservation of essential fish habitat (EFH), a requirement mandated by federally guided fishery management plans (FMPs), requires among other things a
description of habitats for federally managed species. Although the list of attributes important to habitat are numerous, the ability to efficiently and effectively describe many, and especially at the scales required, does not exist with the tools currently available. However, several characteristics of seafloor morphology are readily obtainable at multiple scales and can serve as useful descriptors of habitat. Recent advancements in acoustic technology, such as multibeam echosounding (MBES), can provide remote indication of surficial sediment properties such as texture, hardness, or roughness, and further permit highly detailed renderings of seafloor morphology. With acoustic-based surveys providing a relatively efficient method for data acquisition, there exists a need for
efficient and reproducible automated segmentation routines to process the data. Using MBES data collected by the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS), and
through a contracted seafloor survey, we expanded on the techniques of Cutter et al. (2003) to describe an objective repeatable process that uses parameterized local Fourier
histogram (LFH) texture features to automate segmentation of surficial sediments from acoustic imagery using a maximum likelihood decision rule. Sonar signatures and
classification performance were evaluated using video imagery obtained from a towed camera sled. Segmented raster images were converted to polygon features and attributed
using a hierarchical deep-water marine benthic classification scheme (Greene et al. 1999) for use in a geographical information system (GIS). (PDF contains 41 pages.
Improving Student Training Through Computer-Based Tutorials
The use of computer-based training for student employees was explored through a recent project. Tutorials were designed and created using a free software program, Wink. The tutorials covered use of electronic resources and circulation programs and were used in training newly hired and continuing student employees. Written exercises requiring use of the information covered in the tutorials were administered subsequently. The advantages of computer-based training for aspects of student library employment were contrasted with its disadvantages. Computer-based training was found to be an effective part of training student employees
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