Scientists and society both rely on Scientific Visualization for communicating
scientific information. Indeed, visualization has shaped our collective view of
science and technology. Desktop visualization tools have provided scientists and
the media with ways to create very sophisticated imagery. Open source tools are
making advanced functionality accessible to anyone. Formal training of scientists
in technical communication falls far short of the thoroughness of their research
training. This course intends to offset that deficit by providing some essential
experience and guidelines for communicating science using visualization tools.
This Short Course, based on a graduate-level class taught at San Diego State University,
familiarizes scientists and engineers of any discipline with computer graphics
tools. It emphasizes the role of Scientific Visualization in technical communication.
This course will provide an overview of 2D, 3D and animation tools. Attendees
will take away a set of guidelines for creating good imagery and making cogent