Digital Illusion: Entertaining the Future with High Technology [Paperback]

Clark Dodsworth (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201847809 | ISBN-13: 978-0201847802 | Publication Date: August 15, 1997 | Edition: 1

Digital Illusion represents entertainment in the age of powerful computers and unlimited imagination. Combining traditional entertainment skills with advanced tools and methods in computer graphics and image processing, the producers of interactive games, multimedia networks, virtual reality environments, and theme park rides are reshaping one of the largest industries in the world. As new ways of interaction emerge, and as innovative new products appear, boardrooms from Silicon Valley to Hollywood are preparing for their own heart-thumping ride into some future space. This book is the first to detail the design and implementation of computer-based entertainment. Editor Clark Dodsworth has pulled together key players in the field to share their keen insights and invaluable experiences. These contributors describe first the recent developments in graphics, simulation, and animation that have led to advances in interactive entertainment. Then, in discussing such topics as location-based entertainment, image generators and tools, flight simulators, sensory displays, interface design, and play environments, they suggest how new ideas already are affecting the way we play and the way we live. To ground this discussion in reality, the book describes, with good examples, the infrastructure required to develop the new technologies of illusion; it also explores some of the practical issues involved in designing virtual entertainment. Finally, contributors examine the history and the economics of the field, with a critical eye to future developments. If you are a player in the computer or entertainment industry, or even if you just look forward to a new ride, you will enjoy this book. Digital Illusion is pure adrenaline! 0201847809B04062001

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Digital Illusion represents entertainment in the age of powerful computers and unlimited imagination. Combining traditional entertainment skills with advanced tools and methods in computer graphics and image processing, the producers of interactive games, multimedia networks, virtual reality environments, and theme park rides are reshaping one of the largest industries in the world. As new ways of interaction emerge, and as innovative new products appear, boardrooms from Silicon Valley to Hollywood are preparing for their own heart-thumping ride into some future space.

This book is the first to detail the design and implementation of computer-based entertainment. Editor Clark Dodsworth has pulled together key players in the field to share their keen insights and invaluable experiences. These contributors describe first the recent developments in graphics, simulation, and animation that have led to advances in interactive entertainment. Then, in discussing such topics as location-based entertainment, image generators and tools, flight simulators, sensory displays, interface design, and play environments, they suggest how new ideas already are affecting the way we play and the way we live. To ground this discussion in reality, the book describes, with good examples, the infrastructure required to develop the new technologies of illusion; it also explores some of the practical issues involved in designing virtual entertainment. Finally, contributors examine the history and the economics of the field, with a critical eye to future developments.

If you are a player in the computer or entertainment industry, or even if you just look forward to a new ride, you will enjoy this book. Digital Illusion is pure adrenaline!

0201847809B04062001

About the Author

Clark Dodsworth is a consultant in interactive product development, especially entertainment applications, in San Francisco. He co-produced the critically acclaimed Digital Bayou venue at the ACM/SIGGRAPH '96 Conference in New Orleans, a showcase of cutting edge interfaces and applications. Educated at the University of Illinois and the Art Institute of Chicago, Dodsworth has worked on both the production and creative sides of TV commercials, networked databases, educational videos, electronic toys, and digital animation.

0201847809AB04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201847809
• ISBN-13: 978-0201847802
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,630,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Virtual about Digital Illusion, May 12, 2000

By 

Mr. Budd Margolis (London, Surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Illusion: Entertaining the Future with High Technology (Paperback)

Clark Dodsworth has made an enormous contribution to this subject by combining chapters from all the big thinkers in this industry.

Some chapters did not appeal, others enthralled me and as I hilited gems along the way through this book I realised that my own concepts of perception and communication were evolving. It was nice to find support and to be challenged as well in the many contributions of this book.

Dodsworth insight and experience helps to stitch all of the contributions and any loose ends together.

Digital Illusions provides many benefits to any reader who has an interest in this industry. I found the investment of my time worthwhile.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable resource for interactive entertainment, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Illusion: Entertaining the Future with High Technology (Paperback)

This book is incredibly dense and content-rich. It features "from the horse's mouth" articles from some of the top minds in interactive entertainment. Two years after its publication, it's still cutting edge. It provides excellent groundwork for software designers, virtual reality designers or anyone working in the theme park industry. I teach interacive design at the University level throughout the world and I always recommend this book as a "must read" for my students.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent thermometer of the breadth of simulation, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Digital Illusion: Entertaining the Future with High Technology (Paperback)

This is an excellent overview of all of the areas where simulation and virtual reality are penetrating our culture. The authors of each chapter focus on entertainment and defense. Though I read the book searching for background material on military simulation, I was fascinated by the use of simulation technologies in entertainment. Each author presented a very different application. Many thanks to Clark Dodsworth for pulling all of this material together.