BBC Horizon: Painting by Numbers

Genre: Educational

Year Published: 1981

Creator: Nisbett Alec

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly between the skyscrapers of a city centre? ... to take a trip through Saturn's rings? ... or walk around inside a molecule of DNA? Well, with "computer graphics" you can ... For the artist it's a new way to paint; for the scientist to understand data; and for anyone to play more elaborate space-invaders style games, or to control dangerous or impossible events. Investigates the development of the new science of computer graphics which provides a way of simulating reality together with the power to explore and manipulate the three dimensional images created. Analyses the uses to which the latest technology is being put. Examines new developments which may very soon make the engineer's drawing board as out of date as the quill pen. Horizon presents a documentary on the advances of computer graphics and its multiple uses in simulating reality in industry and science. It looks at the manipulation of 3-D images to paint, animate, design, and test scientific hypothesis. Features Ed “Emsh” Emshwiller's film Sunstone (a restored version of which may be viewed here at this link).