Research

Digital Creatures

This area of exploration deals with development of technology and processes that enhance the authoring of motion, control systems, motion systems, deformation systems, and simulation methods for digital characters.

Publications

  1. McLaughlin, T., Tooley, J., and Cloward, B. “Character Rigging and Creature Wrangling in Game, Feature Animation, and Visual Effects Production” ACM SIGGRAPH 2012 Courses. 39th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, held in Los Angeles, California, August 5-9, 2012.
  2. McLaughlin, T., Cutler, L., and Coleman, D. “Character Rigging, Deformations, and Simulations in Film and Game Production,” In ACM SIGGRAPH 2011 Courses (SIGGRAPH ’11). ACM, New York, NY, USA, Article 5, 18 pages.  DOI=10.1145/2037636.2037641. (38th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Vancouver, Canada, August 7-11, 2011).
  3. McLendon, M., McNamara, A., McLaughlin, T., and Dwivedi, R. 2009. Connecting the dots: discovering what’s important for creature motion. In SIGGRAPH 2009: Talks (New Orleans, Louisiana, August 03 – 07, 2009). SIGGRAPH ’09. ACM, New York, NY, 1-1. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1597990.1598066
  4. McLaughlin, T. and Sumida, S. S. 2007. The morphology of digital creatures. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2007 Courses. SIGGRAPH ’07. ACM, New York, NY, 1. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1281500.1281660. (34th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, San Diego, California, August 05 – 09, 2007).
  5. McLaughlin, T. 2006. Taxonomy of digital creatures: defining character development techniques based upon scope of use. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2006 Courses. SIGGRAPH ’06. ACM, New York, NY, 1. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1185657.1185808. (33rd International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Boston, Massachusetts, July 30 – August 03, 2006)
  6. McLaughlin, T. 2005. Taxonomy of digital creatures: interpreting character designs as computer graphics techniques. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2005 Courses. J. Fujii, Ed. SIGGRAPH ’05. ACM, New York, NY, 1. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1198555.1198692. (32nd International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Los Angeles, California, July 31 – August 04, 2005). (note: Copyright restrictions prevent ACM from providing the full text for this work.)
  7. McLaughlin, T. and Anderson, J. 1999. Cloth animation for Star Wars: Episode I “The Phantom Menace”. In ACM SIGGRAPH 99 Conference Abstracts and Applications. SIGGRAPH ’99. ACM, New York, NY, 195. DOI= http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/311625.311999. (26th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Los Angeles, California, United States, August 08 – 13, 1999).

Posters

  1. Ibrahim, Z., McLaughlin, T., Parke, F., and Keyser, J., “The Stretch Engine,” The ACM SIGGRAPH / Eurographics Symposium on Computer Animation 2017 (Los Angeles, CA, July 28-30, 2017).
  2. McLendon, M., McNamara, A., McLaughlin, T., and Dwivedi*, R. Lions and Tigers and Bears: Investigating Cues for Expressive Creature Motion. SIGGRAPH 2010 The 37th International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques (Los Angeles, California, United States, July 25 – 29, 2010).
  3. McLendon, M., McNamara, A., McLaughlin, T., and Dwivedi*, R. Investigating important visual cues for representative creature motion. Eye Tracking Research & Applications 2010 (Austin, Texas, United States, March 22 – 24, 2010).

Funding

  1. “FashPose: Phase 1 – Establishing Processes for Mobile Creation of Appealing Avatars”. Sponsored by privately held company, FashPose, LLC.  Phase 1 funding total: $9,642, for three months (5/25/2012 – 8/24/2012).  Supported one graduate student.  Role: Co-Principal Investigator, with PI Dr. Ergun Akleman.
  2. “HCC-GV: Small: Generating Animal Avatar Animation with Specific Identifiable Traits Based Upon Viewer Perception of Real Animals”, National Science Foundation Division of Information & Intelligent Systems, Human Centered Computing. Role: Principal Investigator, Co-PI Dr. Ann McNamara. NSF-IIS Project #1016795. Total award: $499,552 (3 years). Awarded August 2010. Supported two graduate students 12 months per year for the duration of the award.

Internal Funding

  1. Integrated Animation Studio”, Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, TAMU. Total award: $7,061. Awarded December 2013.

Collaborative Creative Teams

This area of inquiry looks at creative problem solving involving teams of people who rely on digital tools.

Publications

  1. McLaughlin, T. and Keske, S.  2012. “Evaluation of Students’ Skills in Remote Collaboration for Creative Problem Solving in Computer Graphics,” Eurographics Education Papers, May 13 – 18, 2012. Sardinia, Italy.
  2. McLaughlin, T., Fechter, T., Pasing, A. M., Pena, B. A., Reitz, J., and Vidal, J. A. 2010. “Multi-Institutional Collaboration in Delivery of Team-Project-Based Computer Graphics Studio Courses,” In Advances in Visual Computing –Lecture Notes in Computer Science6454/2010, 394-405. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-17274-8_39. (6th Annual International Symposium on Visual Computing Las Vegas, Nevada, November 21 – December 1, 2010).

Peer-Reviewed Panel Presentation

  1. “Successful Creative Collaboration Across Time and Space,” Panel organizer and moderator at SIGGRAPH 2011 – The 38th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Vancouver, Canada, August 7-11, 2011.

Funding

  1. “STTR: Human Machine Interface for Field of Light Displays (HMI FoLD)” submitted with industry partner, FoVI 3D Inc., Austin, TX, in response to Small Business Technology Transfer program solicitation N19B-T036. Approved for funding August 2019. Phase 1 funding total for TAMU: $30,000 for six months (12/1/2019-5/31/2020). Role: Principal Investigator. 
  2. “Pilot: Creative IT Project: Collaborative Undergraduate Computing Studios Facilitating Decentralized Participation”, National Science Foundation Division of Information & Intelligent Systems, CreativeIT. Role: Principal Investigator. NSF Project #0855908. Total Award: $293,057 (3 years). Awarded July 2009.  Supports one graduate student 12 months per year for the duration of the award.

Visual Style Development

This area of research revolves around the hypothesis that there is a relationship between the fidelity of the modeled forms, motion, materials representation, lighting, and point-of-view used in real-time computer graphics and the intended learning outcomes when developed for education and learning.

Publications

  1. Cook, M., Payne, A., Seo, H., Pine, M. and McLaughlin, T. 2019. “InNervate AR: Mobile Augmented Reality for Studying Motor Never Deficits in Anatomy Education”. Paper accepted at the International Conference on Computers in Education sub-conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education/Intelligent Tutoring Systems, (to be held in Kenting, Taiwan, on December 2 – 6, 2019).
  2. Smith, D., McLaughlin, T. & Brown, I. 2012. “3-D Computer Animation vs. Live-Action Video: Differences in Viewers’ Response to Instructional Vignettes”. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 12(1), 41-54. AACE.
  3. McLaughlin, T., Smith, D., and Brown, I. A. 2010. “A Framework for Evidence Based Visual Style Development for Serious Games,” In Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games. 132-138. ACM, New York, NY, 1. DOI: 10.1145/1822348.1822366. (Foundations of Digital Games Conference 2010, Monterrey, California, June 19 – 21, 2010).

Extended Abstract

  1. Crowley, D., Murphy, R., McNamara, A., McLaughlin, T. and Duncan, B. A., “AR Browser for Points of Interest in Disaster Response in UAV Imagery,” CHI 2014 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (Toronto, Canada, April 26-May1, 2014).

Posters

  1. Cook, M., Ackley, A., Chang Gonzalez, K., Payne, A., Seo, H., Pine, M. and McLaughlin, T. 2019. “InNervate Immersion: Case Study of Dynamic Simulation in AR/VR Environments for Learning Muscular Innervation VR/AR Innoations in Anatomy Education”. SIGGRAPH 2019 (Los Angeles, California, United States, July 28 – August 1, 2019).
  2. Cook, M., Payne, A., Seo, H., Pine, M. and McLaughlin, T. 2019. “InNervate AR: Dynamic Interaction System for Motor Nerve Anatomy Education in Augmented Reality”. HCI International 2019 (Orlando, Florida, United States, July 26 –  31, 2019).

Funding

  1. “Testing and Modeling of Concepts in Variant” submitted to Triseum, LLC, Bryan, TX. Funding total $100,000 for six months (4/1/2016-9/30/2016). Supported 14 undergraduate and graduate students for prototyping and testing educational video game to teach limits in calculus. Role: Principal Investigator providing administrative oversight with Co-PI André Thomas.
  2. Alternate Reality Teaching: Our Space” submitted in response to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency –Information Innovation Office –ENGAGE: Learning to Solve Problems, Solving Problems to Learn, DARPA-BAA-11-36. Role: Member of educational advising group from Texas A&M University. Lead organization: Total Immersion Software, Inc. Award for Texas A&M activities: $138,953 (21 months). Awarded August 2011. 

Internal Funding

  1. “Teaching Vignette Prototype Development”, Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University. Co-PI with Dr. Dennie Smith from the Department of Teaching Learning and Culture, TAMU. Total Award: $60,100 (18 months). Awarded October 2008.  Supported one graduate student for 18 months and another for 6 months.

STEAM Education

This area of scholarly practice is concerned with the development of curricular models that support the integration of math, science, art and design into a single educational experience.

Peer-Reviewed Presentations

  1. “Approaches for Immersive Media Curriculum Implementation” Panelist at SIGGRAPH 2019 – Los Angeles, CA, July 28–August 1, 2019.
  2. “Other Education Models”, Panelist at FMX 2014, Stuttgart, Germany, April 22-25, 2014.
  3. “From Production Artist to Educator: Preparing for the Change,” Panelist at SIGGRAPH 2014 The 41st International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Vancouver, Canada, August 10-14, 2014.
  4. “Designing Curriculum for 3D Computer Animation: Innovation and Experimentation for an Evolving Discipline,” Panelist at SIGGRAPH 2011 – The 38th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, Vancouver, Canada, August 11, 2011. 

Internal Funding

  1. “The ABC’s of Sculpting: Merging Art Appreciation, Business & Creativity”, Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, TAMU. Co-PI with Dr. Jay Woodward from the Department of Educational Psychology. Total award: $7,860. Awarded December 2014.
  2. “Integrated Animation Studio”, Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, TAMU. Total award: $7,061. Awarded December 2013.

Invited Talks

  1. “World-Building Creativity & Technology,” Panel organizer and moderator at SXSW 2019 – Austin, TX, March 11, 2019. Panelists: Laura Murphy, Pixar Animation Studio, Gracie Arenas Strittmatter, EA-Bioware, and Kyle Clark, Flight School.
  2. “The Creativity Revolution: You as Consumer, Critic, and Maker,” Explorations – 10th Anniversary & Journal Release. November 16, 2018. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
  3. “Merging Art & Science: The Department of Visualization at Texas A&M University”, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Quarterly Board Meeting. October 25, 2018, Austin, TX.
  4. “Merging Art & Science for the On-Demand Generation”, UT-Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, January 28, 2018, Austin, TX.
  5. “Collision of Art & Science”, Texas A&M Foundation Legacy Society, March 30, 2017.
  6. “Visualization and the On-Demand Generation,” AggieCon 2017, March 24-26, 2017, Bryan, TX.
  7. “Creativity and the On-Demand Generation,” Texas 4-H STE(A)M Career Pathways Webinar, November 10, 2016.
  8. “Creativity and the On-Demand Generation,” Texas A&M University Freshman Convocation, Reed Arena, College Station, TX. Fall 2015.
  9. “Master of Fine Arts in Visualization”, Texas A&M University Center for Teaching Excellence Advancement Council. College Station, TX. October 9, 2014.
  10. “Visualization Graduate Programs at Texas A&M University”, FMX 2014, Stuttgart, Germany, April 22-25, 2014.
  11. “Distance Collaboration: Distributed Team-Based Learning in Visualization,” Texas A&M University Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Teaching Academy, College Station, TX. January 24, 2014.
  12. “Visual Literacy, Creativity and STE(A)M Powered Education,” The Chamber of Commerce Leadership Brazos, College Station, TX. November 13, 2013.
  13. “Visual Creativity, Technology and the On-Demand Generation,” Saturday Morning Biophysics Outreach. August 14, 2013. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
  14.  “STEAM Powered Education”, The Arts in Education Conference, Texas Education Agency Region 6, Huntsville, Texas, January 24, 2013.
  15. “The Modern-Day DaVinci”, Panelist at Creative Talent Network, Burbank, California, November 18, 2011.  Moderator: David Parrish, Reel FX.  Fellow Panelists: Bryan Engram, Reel FX, Stan Syzmanski, StanleyVision, Inc., and Chantal Bumgarner, Digital Domain.
  16. “Advances in Animation and Visualization Technologies.” Talk presentation given at the University of Texas at Dallas’ New Models for Interfacing Art and Technology: Advanced Educational Gaming and 3D Animation symposium, April 15, 2011. Presented by The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Richardson, Texas.
  17. “A Landscape of Game Design Programs in Texas”, Presentation given at Game On! Texas symposium, Austin, Texas. April 12, 2011.
  18. “Inter-departmental Collaboration in Animation Production and Pre-service Teacher Training.” Presentation given at Texas A&M University’s College of Education and Human Development Advisory Board, November 12th, 2010. Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, College Station, Texas.
  19. “Houston Summit for the Creative Economy – Digital, Design, and Film”, Houston, Texas. October 22, 2010. Panelist. Fellow Panelist: Jerry Alexander, Acumen Design.
  20. “Educators Panel Discussion,” Panelist at DreamWorks Animation SKG 7th Annual Educators’ Symposium, Glendale, California. July 26th, 2010. Panel moderator: Angela Lepito, DreamWorks Animation; Fellow panelists: Bobby Beck, Animation Mentor, Alice Carter, San Jose State University, Jim McCampbell, Ringling College of Art & Design, and Jeremy Moorshead, Savannah College of Art & Design.
  21. “Twenty-First Century Careers – Preparing Students for Their Future, Not Our Past,” Panelist at Texas Regional Collaboratives 16th Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas. June 30, 2010.  Panel moderator: Dr. Keith Mitchell, Texas Regional Collaboratives Coordinator of Technology; Fellow panelists: Dr. Leslie Miller, Executive Director, Rice University Center of Teaching and Learning, Mr. Stephan Samuleson, President and CEO of Twist Education; Mr. Spencer Zuzolo, President of 3DSquared.
  22. “Post-Secondary Game Development Education”, Panelist at Game On! Texas symposium, Austin, Texas. April 7, 2010.  Panel moderator: Leah Smith, Texas Film Commission; Fellow panelists: Dr. Tom Linehan, Director of Arts & Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas, Dr. Kevin Ludlam, Executive Director of Development, Baylor University, Dr. Peter Raad, Executive Director of the Guildhall at Southern Methodist University, and Linda Smarzik, Dean of Computer Studies and Advanced Technology at Austin Community College.
  23. “Watch the Visual Arts to See the Future of Technology Development”, Keynote speaker at Corning Patent Awards Ceremony, Corning, New York. March 30, 2010. 
  24. “Shaping Society Through Visual Technology”, Presentation for the High School Education Program at the George Bush Library and Museum, College Station Texas; March 4th, and 10th, 2010.
  25.  “Visual Creativity, Technology and the On-Demand Generation”, Talk given at the College of Architecture Research Symposium, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; October 2009.
  26. “Visual Creativity, Technology and the On-Demand Generation”, Keynote speaker at the Society for Information Display (SID) Display Week Awards Luncheon, San Antonio, Texas; June 2009.
  27. “The Texas A&M Visualization Department,” Speaker at Sam Houston State University SIGGRAPH Chapter meeting. October 28, 2008.
  28. “TV Magazine with Sharon Colson,” Invited guest. KAMU-TV, Texas A&M University, October 22, 2008.
  29. “The Next Great Talent Search,” Panelist at SIGGRAPH 2008, Los Angeles, California. August 18, 2008.