While Hollywood uses computer animation to take viewers to a "galaxy far, far away,"
computer animation can also be used for more immediate and down-to-Earth reasons.
This image demonstrates how the Institute for Sustainable
Environment Research Lab (ISE) uses computers to help visualize scientific findings to
help influence both researchers and the public.
In this instance, the ISE needed to gain an understanding of the impact humans have on the environment over time. They hoped to create tools that would be useful to local communities when making land use and planning decisions.
One important component of this study involved creating computer models of the area they were studying: the Willamette River Basin of western Oregon. This was accomplished by starting with Geographic Information Systems maps and then using computer software to render these maps in three dimensions giving a new perspective of the materials ‹ and the landscape -- represented in the report. More than just still images of specific geographic features, ISE has created interactive 3D panoramas of the area. You can check these out by clicking here. If you have problems viewing these animations, try consulting this how-to guide.
Image courtesy of The Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon.
