Steven A. Coons award for outstanding creative contributions to computer graphics

Abstract

Encarnacao for leudershtp in applied research using computer graphics for a broad range of industrial and medical applicntmns. in international graphics standards and in computer graphtcs education. His work in computer graphics began at the Tcchmcal Umvcrstty of Berl in tn 1967 when hc was also associated with the Hcinrich Hertz Institute. In the period 1972-75 hc wxs ;lt the University of Saarbrtickcn. In 1975 hc became Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt. an appointment he holds today. His earliest work involved dcvelopmcnt of basic algorithms such as hidden-line elimination and hardware for matrtx manipulations (4 by 4). The Encarna$io Scan-Grid Hidden Surface algorithm was particularly appropriate for surface representations used in CAD applications for car body design. It was during this period he became concerned with graphics systems applied to computer aided design-early evidence of his long-term commitment to technology transfer between academia and industry. a hallmark of the German and European technical communities. His efforts in standards are consistent with that commitment. Starting in 1970, Encarnacao lead successful efforts at Standardization in Computer Graphics in Germany. He convened experts from all over Germany and involved many from the group of researchers he had assembled in Darmstadt. He has been especially active in DIN and IS0 standards, and was a primary contributor to the GKS graphics standard. He participated in the celebrated meetings at the Chateau Seillac in 1976 that led to the Proposed Core Standard put forth by SIGCRAPH. Recognizing at that time the need for a practical 2D system, he spearheaded the effort to produce the Graphical Kernel System, GKS, an extensive elaboration of an early version of the 3D Core proposals. Subsequently, under Encarna@o’s direction, Gi inter Pfaff et al developed a GKS implementation at Darmstadt that became the leading commercial product of its kind and remains in use in German CAD and other graphics application systems. As a professor specializing in computer graphics for more than twenty years, Dr. Encarnaqlo has been the advisor for more than forty Ph.D. students, many of whom have themselves attained professorial positions. To ensure the stability of Computer Graphics in academic computer science and in industry he initially established the Interactive Graphics Research Group (THD-GRIS) in 1975 at the Technical University of Darmstadt. In 1984 he also founded, and became chairman of the board, of the Computer Graphics Center (ZGDV). In addition to the main laboratory in Darmstadt, it now has associated laboratories in Restock and in 1995 ACM SIGGRAPH Awards