Survey of 3D Graphics Software Tools Just Out From the IEEE Computer Society

Los Alamitos, Calif. December, 2005 — Many scientists from varying disciplines realize the power of graphics, but they’re also bewildered by the complex implementations of a graphics system and the numerous graphics tools on the market today. More often than not, they choose the wrong software tools and end up with unsatisfactory results. To help navigate the sea of graphics tools, the IEEE Computer Society has released A Survey of 3D Graphics Software Tools as part of its new ReadyNotes collection.

A shortcut to graphics theory, tools, and applications, this ReadyNote provides a comprehensive list of currently available graphics tools categorized by their major applications and functions. Through this categorization, author Jim X. Chen, of George Mason University, helps learners and researchers understand the means and application areas in computer graphics, including visualization, modeling, animation, simulation, and virtual reality. A detailed appendix also offers many online resources.

The ReadyNote is suitable for scientists in different disciplines, undergraduates in computer science, and researchers who are interested in certain 3D graphics capabilities and tools. Basic cost is $9, with discounts available for instructors.

ReadyNotes is a series of tutorials that the IEEE Computer Society has just launched, focusing on hands-on advice for practicing software developers, chip designers, computing researchers, and students. Falling somewhere between academic papers and full-on books in length, these 25,000-word tutorials will be periodically upgraded and available only in PDF form, from http://www.computer.org/readynotes. Other titles will include:

• IEEE Software Engineering Standards Support for the CMMI Project Planning Process Area
• The Poor Person’s Guide to Estimating Software Costs
• Evaluating Performance in Software Engineering
• Digital Avionics: A Computing Perspective
• Introduction to Python for Artificial Intelligence
• Designing Databases with Object-Oriented Methods

About the IEEE Computer Society
The IEEE Computer Society is the world’s leading association of computing professionals with 100,000 members in over 140 countries. Founded in 1946 and today the largest society within the IEEE, this not-for-profit organization is the authoritative provider of technical information and services for computing communities worldwide. It offers a full range of career enhancing products and services through its 124,000-article digital library, 20+ peer-reviewed print publications, distance learning courseware, online technical books, 150 technical conferences, standards development, 32 technical committees, certification for software professionals, 200 local society chapters, awards and scholarships, and much more. Visit IEEE Computer Society at www.computer.org.