Lance Williams
Encyclopedia
Lance J. Williams is a prominent graphics researcher who made major contributions to texture map prefiltering, shadow rendering algorithms, facial animation, and antialiasing techniques. Williams was one of the first people to recognize the potential of computer graphics to transform film and video making.
. He was drawn to the University of Utah
by a "Humanistic Computation" summer seminar held by Jef Raskin
. He joined the graduate Computer Science
program at the University of Utah
in 1972. At this time in the early 70s, the University of Utah
was the hub for much of the pioneering work in computer graphics. Lance left Utah (without completing his degree) in 1974 to join the New York Institute of Technology
(NYIT). While at NYIT, Williams invented the mipmapping technique for texture filtering, which is ubiquitously used today by graphics hardware for PCs and video games.
Lance was later awarded his doctorate from Utah based on a rule allowing someone who published three seminal papers in his field to bind them together as his thesis. The three papers are Casting Curved Shadows on Curved Surfaces (1978), Pyramidal Parametrics (1983) and View Interpolation for Image Synthesis (1993).
in 1987. He collaborated with Eric Chen to pioneer early image based rendering work, developed "Virtual Integral Holography," (with Dan Venolia), created 3D paint systems and contributed to QuickTime VR. He also has pioneered work in motion capture facial animation systems for over 20 years. In 1997, Williams joined Dreamworks SKG. In 2002 he became Chief Scientist at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios. In 2006, Williams joined Google and worked with the Google Earth team. As of 2008 he is a Principal Member of Research Staff at Nokia.
On August 15, 2001, Williams won the ACM SIGGRAPH
Coons Award for Outstanding Creative Contributions to computer graphics.
On March 2, 2002, Williams was awarded a 2001 Technical Achievement Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
for "his pioneering influence in the field of computer-generated animation and effects for motion pictures."
Education
Williams holds a double major in English and Asian Studies with honors from the University of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
. He was drawn to the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
by a "Humanistic Computation" summer seminar held by Jef Raskin
Jef Raskin
Jef Raskin was an American human-computer interface expert best known for starting the Macintosh project for Apple in the late 1970s.-Early years and education:...
. He joined the graduate Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
program at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
in 1972. At this time in the early 70s, the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
was the hub for much of the pioneering work in computer graphics. Lance left Utah (without completing his degree) in 1974 to join the New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research...
(NYIT). While at NYIT, Williams invented the mipmapping technique for texture filtering, which is ubiquitously used today by graphics hardware for PCs and video games.
Lance was later awarded his doctorate from Utah based on a rule allowing someone who published three seminal papers in his field to bind them together as his thesis. The three papers are Casting Curved Shadows on Curved Surfaces (1978), Pyramidal Parametrics (1983) and View Interpolation for Image Synthesis (1993).
Professional career
After NYIT Williams joined the Advanced Technology Group at AppleApple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
in 1987. He collaborated with Eric Chen to pioneer early image based rendering work, developed "Virtual Integral Holography," (with Dan Venolia), created 3D paint systems and contributed to QuickTime VR. He also has pioneered work in motion capture facial animation systems for over 20 years. In 1997, Williams joined Dreamworks SKG. In 2002 he became Chief Scientist at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios. In 2006, Williams joined Google and worked with the Google Earth team. As of 2008 he is a Principal Member of Research Staff at Nokia.
Recognition
1971 - Five State Intercollegiate Chess ChampionshipOn August 15, 2001, Williams won the ACM SIGGRAPH
ACM SIGGRAPH
ACM SIGGRAPH is the New York–based Association for Computing Machinery's Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. It was founded in 1969 by Andy van Dam ....
Coons Award for Outstanding Creative Contributions to computer graphics.
On March 2, 2002, Williams was awarded a 2001 Technical Achievement Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
for "his pioneering influence in the field of computer-generated animation and effects for motion pictures."