Title: Graphics and Imaging: Trends Toward Unification?

Author(s): Matthew O. Ward (panel chair), Computer Science Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609, James M. Coggins, Computer Science Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ivan Herman, Centre for Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Theo Pavlidis, Dept. of Computer Science, SUNY Stony Brook, NY 11794-4400, and Norman Wittels, Civil Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609

Source: IEEE Conference on Visualization (Visualization '90), 1990.

Abstract: Computer Graphics (image synthesis) and Imaging (image analysis and understanding) have traditionally been considered distinct disciplines, each with their own theoretical foundations and techniques. As each field matures, many interrelations have been discovered and exploited, causing the border between the disciplines to become blurred and leading to conjectures that they are, in fact, parts of a single discipline. The goal of this panel is to examine various aspects of the relationships and interactions between the fields and present several views of the directions the fields are taking in regards to one another. Each panel member has worked in both the graphics and the imaging areas, and each brings a unique perspective on the topic.

James Coggins describes a number of collaborative research efforts which employ both synthesis and analysis skills to solve problems in a variety of different applications areas. Ivan Herman, a member of the Eurographics Working Group on Relationships Between Image Synthesis and Analysis, discusses some of the successful relations to date between the fields and the need for increased interactions. Theo Pavlidis, author of the book Algorithms for Graphics and Image Processing, believes that, although the fields will probably not merge, we cannot ignore the growing common body of knowledge. Matthew Ward justifies the merging of the fields with analogies to other scientific and engineering disciplines, and Norman Wittels describes the need to generate synthetic image sets to rigorously test image analysis algorithms.

Matthew O. Ward (matt@cs.wpi.edu)