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Cascade SIGGRAPH Hosts Lecture on GPU Shader Programming and Visualization

Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH, Oregon and Southwest Washington's local SIGGRAPH chapter, announced that award-winning Oregon State University professor of Computer Science, Dr. Mike Bailey, is scheduled to lecture on graphics processing unit (GPU) shader programming and visualization on March 22 at PCC Cascade Campus in Portland, Oregon. Titled "GPU Shader Programming for Fun and Visualization," Bailey's lecture will discuss the basics of vertex and fragment GPU shader programming, as well as the brand-new geometry shader capability, and its specific use in scientific data visualization. This talk will also introduce glman, a free piece of software that greatly simplifies learning shader programming.

"The ability to program the GPU, that is, injecting one's own algorithms into the graphics pipeline, is one of the most exciting things to ever happen in computer graphics," said Bailey. "This increased control with little sacrifice in speed, is a development that will impact all areas in the graphics community -- from game development to scientific visualization."

The night will start with registration and appetizers for attendees in the lobby of the PCC Cascade Moriarty Arts Building (www.pcc.edu/pcc/dma/cascademap.htm) at 6:00 p.m., announcements and the presentation by Bailey at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A period. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to cascadesiggraph@gmail.com for planning purposes.

The campus is close-in to downtown Portland and there is ample parking across the street in the PCC parking lot for a small fee. For directions, visit www.pcc.edu/about/locations/cascade/. You may also request a free parking pass by emailing cascadesiggraph@gmail.com. Requests must be received by noon, March 21, 2007.

This and other Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH meetings are free to Cascade Chapter members. Nonmembers will need to pay a $5 admission fee at the door. Annual local membership can be purchased at the door for $25 ($18 for students). Light appetizers will be available to attendees. For more information on Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH and membership registration, visit the Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH website.

The Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH Chapter (www.cascade.siggraph.org/) exists to serve the needs of the Oregon and Southwest Washington computer graphics industry and students. Through meetings, workshops, conferences and other activities, the Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH Chapter works to promote an increased knowledge of and greater interest in the educational, artistic and scientific aspects and applications of modern technology to graphics, enhancing communication between persons in Oregon and Southwest Washington that have an interest in any aspect of computer graphics.

Bill Desowitz's picture

Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.