Cubism and Cameras: Free-form Optics for Computer Graphics

The camera model used to create synthetic 3D computer graphics is usually based on physical cameras. Cubist painters explored the process of creating images from multiple, simultaneous points of view. We believe that cubist principles can lead to a rich variety of interesting and dramatically useful idioms for illustration and storytelling both in still images and in motion. We present the general idea, show some drawn images of the idioms, discuss the applications, and describe our implementation. We also discuss our plans for an improved interface for designers, directors, and other image-makers who do not wish to work directly with 3D modeling systems. We conclude with some preliminary results.