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From: robertsl@stolaf.UUCP (Laurence C. Roberts)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: computer displays in 2010
Message-ID: <127@stolaf.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-Jan-85 16:09:42 EST
Article-I.D.: stolaf.127
Posted: Thu Jan 10 16:09:42 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Jan-85 01:39:57 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: St. Olaf College, Northfield MN
Lines: 22

Yet another complaint about 2001, a movie which I essentially liked.  This one's
about the computer graphics on the Leonov.

The computer graphics not presented as such (Jupiter and the flaming Europa-
probe -- note the particle systems) were really excellent.  However, those
on the Leonov's displays were not so hot.  (The control room resembeled a video
game arcade... I expected to see someone playing TRON or something)  The graphic
representation of the airbag inflation (take that, Detroit) looked like it had
been produced on an Apple ][.  Obviously, by 2010, they WILL have real-time
graphics that look as good as the Jupiter scenes in the movie.

I think that they should have monitors displaying simulated scenes as would
be shot from (imaginary) cameras hovering some distance from the space ship.
To distinguish these scenes from actual reality at a glance, they should be
false-colored.

In all modesty, these techniques will probably be used in the future :-)

                        Laurence Roberts
                        ihnp4!stolaf!robertsl

"Ifrit first you don't succeed, fly, fly a djinn!"