Department 4: Computer Graphics

During the last few decades computer graphics firmly established itself as a core discipline within computer science. New and emerging technologies such as digital media, social networks, digital television, digital photography and the rapid development of new sensing devices, telecommunication and telepresence, virtual and augmented reality further indicate its potential and pose new challenges in the years to come.

To address these challenges, and in particular to seamlessly blend real and synthetic footage, we have adopted a new and more integrated scientific view of computer graphics as 3D Image Analysis and Synthesis that takes into account the whole image processing pipeline from scene acquisition to scene reconstruction to scene editing to scene rendering. We also take into account human perception on all levels of the pipeline, and we exploit the abundance of digital visual data and novel concepts from machine learning to extract powerful priors that can assist us during the acquisition, reconstruction, editing, and image formation processes.

Our vision and long term goal are completely immersive, interactive, and visually rich environments with sophisticated scene representations and the highest visual quality, fused seamlessly with the real world. Standard 2D screens are being replaced with high dynamic range displays, stereo and automultiscopic screens, portable and wearable displays. Imaging algorithms with embedded perceptual models ensure that the perceived quality and viewing comfort is maximized. Interaction is intuitive and light weight.

In order to make progress along the lines above, our work is both theoretical and practical with a focus on first-class research and new methods and algorithms, as well as on the integration of new algorithms into functioning software systems, and the experimental validation of systems in specific application scenarios that are of practical relevance. We also try to provide a stimulating environment for junior researchers that allows them to develop and build their own research programs and groups.

(May 2021)