James A. Ferwerda, Researcher and Educator

Measuring, Modeling and Rendering Surface Appearance - Monday 2:15 - 4:15

Abstract: Real-world surfaces often have complex topographic and material properties. Creating accurate and realistic digital models of these surfaces is a topic of great interest to many fields. In this course we will describe the physical processes and visual mechanisms that determine surface appearance, and then survey efforts to develop image-based systems for measuring, modeling, and rendering the appearances of complex surfaces. We will describe the capabilities and limitations of different systems, and will provide a tutorial on the implementation, calibration, use, and assessment of a system for creating digital models of paintings, manuscripts, and other complex textured surfaces. Topics:
• Dimensions of surface appearance o color, gloss, translucency, texture
• Measuring appearance
• Perceiving appearance
• Image-based appearance capture systems 
• Multi-view systems
• Multi-light systems
• Structured light systems
• Deep learning-based systems
• Practicalities
• Implementation (lights, cameras, hardware, software)
• Geometric and radiometric calibration
• Assessing accuracy and precision
• Modeling and analyzing appearance properties
• Appearance rendering, display, and interaction

Fundamentals of Psychophysics - Tuesday 2:15 - 4:15

Psychophysical methods from experimental psychology can be used to quantify the relationships between the physical properties of the world and the qualities people perceive. The results of psychophysical experiments can be used to create models of human perception that can guide the development of effective color imaging algorithms and enabling interfaces. This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of psychophysics and teaches attendees how to develop experiments that can be used to advance color imaging research and applications. Hands-on examples are used throughout so that attendees understand how to design and run their own experiments, analyze the results, and develop perceptually-based algorithms and applications.

Bio

James A. Ferwerda is an Associate Professor in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He received a B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Computer Graphics, and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, all from Cornell University. The focus of his research is on building computational models of human vision from psychophysical experiments, and developing advanced imaging systems based on these models. He is an Associate Editor of the ACM Transactions on Applied Perception and the Journal of Perceptual Imaging, and serves on the Program Committee of the IS&T Human Vision and Electronic Imaging conference.

The Inter-Society Color Council advances the knowledge of color as it relates to art, science, industry and design.
Each of these fields enriches the others, furthering the general objective of color education.