Research Centre

The National Centre for Computer Animation has developed an international reputation as an acclaimed centre for research in the field of digital media by developing new approaches to computer animation. This has included the development of tools and techniques for animators as well as the production of computer animations and other visual productions that exploit and explore the potential of digital technology.

Computer animated films produced at the NCCA have received awards at IMAGINA and EUROGRAPHICS, researchers have participated at SIGGRAPH and works have been screened at numerous computer graphics and effects festivals worldwide. Collaboration with TV producers has led to several BBC and C4 programmes including work produced here.

Overview of research topics

Technical research has focused on physically-based modelling and animation, global illumination and rendering techniques and genetic programming. New methods have been developed for the manipulation of deformable objects with an organic look and character including development of animation tools suitable for the dynamic control of viscoelastically deformable models.

Animations and works of art produced at the centre have explored represntation of the human figure, motion capture, participatory and interactive work in installations and web-based works, the aesthetic use of synthesised representations of natural phenomena such as water, clouds, trees and landscapes.

This research has led to the publication of research papers, presentations, authoring of books, production of animations and exhibitions of art work which have earned national and international recognition.

We are open to new potential topics of research and welcome proposals from interested candidates with suitable qualifications and from organizations and companies with appropriate projects.

Organization

From an administrative point of view research within the NCCA is organised as the Computer Animation Research Centre (CARC), with Prof Jian J Zhang as Head.

Professorial and other staff are engaged in supervising a growing number of PhD students.

Staff within the centre are associated in research groups :

the Computer Graphics and Visualisation Research Group (CGVRG) includes staff who research and develop techniques and algorithms in computer graphics, animation and visualisation best evaluated by traditional scientific criteria.

The Modelling, Animation, Games, Effects Group (MAGE) includes staff exploring emerging techniques looking to the next generation of computer animation systems.

the Visual Research Group (VRG) includes staff engaged in the production and critical appraisal of visual artefacts more appropriately pursued and evaluated by established art and design methods.

Computer Graphics & Visualisation Research Group

Modelling Animation Games and Effects Group

View the Visual Research Group