Computational visualization: creating realism without dropping frames!
ABSTRACT Traditionally Visual Simulation has concentrated on fast frame rates and optimized databases to deliver smooth motion. This can result in comprises to image fidelity and realism.

What if we could move beyond these constraints and create simulations based on real-world physics, where databases are not constrained by polygons and visual effects are not constrained by raster graphics limitations; eye-limiting resolutions would be a reality.

Computational Visualization is becoming widely adopted in graphics for computer games – where near real-time physics calculations allows for greater levels of realism – through lighting models, geometry deformation and high resolution imagery.

The root of this new paradigm is with high performance computing. The computational power of the GPU now enables complex simulations that once could only be performed on super computers to be enabled on Image Generators or Gaming PCs.

This paper examines how we could apply these techniques to Image Generators and create higher levels of realism without dropping frames.

VITA Doug Traill is a Senior Solutions Architect at Nvidia responsible for Scalable Visualization Solutions. In this role he works with Systems Integrators and end customers to help design and implement complex visualization systems. Prior to joining Nvidia, he held various positions at Silicon Graphics, including Visualization Product Manager and Solutions Architect. During his career, Doug has been responsible for helping design, build some of the World’s largest Visualization Centers, Simulators and Planetariums.