Events Calendar

CS Colloquium: Nils Thuerey (TU Munich)

Speaker: Nils Thuerey, TU Munich

Talk Title: Turbulent Flow Simulations for Special Effects

Series: CS Colloquium

Abstract: Physics simulations are widely recognized to be crucial tools for complex special effects in feature films, and real-time simulations are often central game-play elements in modern computer games. However, we are still very far from being able to accurately simulate the complexity of nature around us, and the numerical methods that are commonly used are often difficult to fine-tune and control.

In this talk I will explain approaches to tackle these problems. The underlying idea is to increase the apparent detail in flow simulations without changing their behavior, while adhering to the physics as much as possible. This is not only faster than running a full simulation, but also gives artists the possibility to more easily control the outcome of a simulation. Additionally, similar ideas can be used to realize detailed flow simulations that run with very high frame rates, and include anisotropic effects more accurately. This makes it possible to use turbulent smoke effects in interactive environments such as games.

In general terms, the research in this area strives to realize interactive, controllable solvers for a broad range of material behaviors. The talk will be concluded by discussing the requirements of the visual effects industry, and by giving an outlook of future challenges in the field.

Biography: Nils Thuerey will take up a position as Assistant Professor at TU Munich in October. He has previously worked as research & development lead at ScanlineVFX, where he was busy with the design and implementation of large-scale physics simulators for feature films. His research focuses on physically-based animation, with a particular emphasis on detailed fluids and turbulence. Some of his algorithms are now widely used in industry, e.g., as part of animation packages such as Houdini and Blender. In 2013 he received a technical achievement award ("tech-oscar") from the AMPAS for his work on the wavelet turbulence algorithm. He did his Ph.D in 2007 at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (with honours), and until 2010 worked as a post-doctoral researcher with Ageia/Nvidia and the Computer Graphics Laboratory of ETH Zurich.

Host: Jernej Barbic'

Location: Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL) - 101

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Assistant to CS chair