Ed Catmull is a prominent figure in the field of computer animation and graphics. Here is detailed information about him:
Early Life and Education
- Born on March 31, 1945, in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
- He earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Utah in 1969.
- He pursued a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the same university, completing it in 1974.
Career Highlights
- **Early Work**: While at the University of Utah, Catmull developed the first computer-generated animation of a human face, laying foundational work for computer graphics.
- **New York Institute of Technology**: After his Ph.D., he worked at the New York Institute of Technology, where he developed techniques for digital image processing.
- **Lucasfilm**: In 1979, Catmull joined Lucasfilm's computer graphics division. Here, he helped create the Pixar Computer, which was later used in films like Star Wars for special effects.
- **Pixar**: Catmull co-founded Pixar in 1986 after the graphics division of Lucasfilm was bought by Steve Jobs. He served as President and CTO, leading the company to become a leader in computer animation with hits like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Inside Out.
- **Walt Disney Animation Studios**: In 2006, following Disney's acquisition of Pixar, Catmull became President of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. He was instrumental in revitalizing Disney Animation.
Contributions to Computer Graphics
- Catmull is known for several key innovations:
- The development of the Catmull-Rom spline, used in computer graphics for smooth curve interpolation.
- The z-buffering technique for depth testing in 3D rendering.
- Subdivision surface modeling, which allows for the creation of smooth surfaces from simpler geometric shapes.
- He has been a key figure in establishing computer graphics as a discipline with real-world applications.
Awards and Recognition
Books
Sources
Related Topics