Events

The SFB-TRR 161 organizes various events to promote research activities and to inform about current developments in research and education in the field of Visual Computing, both at a national and an international level.

Jun 16th - 17th, 2026, full days

Berghotel Jägerhof, Isny

Internal Status Seminar of the SFB-TRR 161

Keynote | Monte Carlo Methods for Smooth Vector Graphics                       

Held by:

Tobias Günther, Friedrich‑Alexander University of Erlangen‑Nuremberg

Bio:

Tobias Günther received his PhD in the Visual Computing Group at the Otto‑von‑Guericke University of Magdeburg, working in computer graphics and scientific visualization. He then joined the Computer Graphics Laboratory at ETH Zurich as a postdoctoral researcher. Since 2020, he has been a professor of Visual Computing at the Friedrich‑Alexander University of Erlangen‑Nuremberg. His research lies at the intersection of the natural sciences and computer graphics, developing feature extraction and visualization methods for disciplines such as engineering, meteorology, climate science, geophysics, and fluid dynamics. Building on the mathematical foundations shared across these fields, his group also investigates graphics‑oriented simulations of natural phenomena.

Abstract:

Smooth vector graphics describe images not by pixels, but by shapes whose colors are defined through partial differential equations. This formulation enables resolution‑independent artwork with sharp features and soft transitions. In this context, Monte Carlo methods have recently gained attention, as they allow solving the underlying PDE in a robust and mesh-free manner. To set the stage, we begin with a brief introduction of the Walk‑on‑Spheres algorithm, a classical random‑walk method for solving Laplace equations. Afterwards, we address two challenges. First, we reduce the number of steps near boundaries by recursively walking on geometric primitives that share more than one point with the boundary. Utilizing the conformal invariance of the Laplace equation, we construct exit distributions that increase the probability of terminating immediately. Second, we develop the first Monte Carlo method for rendering biharmonic diffusion curves, which provide control over both color and normal derivatives along boundaries. The biharmonic problem is formulated as an inverse optimization over two coupled second-order PDEs. Together, these methods shorten walks and generalize classic Walk-on-Spheres techniques to support a new class of smooth vector graphics primitives.

13.-15. Juli 2026

Universität Konstanz

PROGRAMMIERKURS für Schülerinnen ab Klasse 7 | Computergrafik mit Processing

Mit wem?

Thomas Ningelgen war vor seiner Pensionierung Informatiklehrer am Heinrich-Suso-Gymnasium in Konstanz und ist Mitautor des Buches "Programmieren lernen mit Comutergrafik".

Wann?

3 x 4 Stunden mit Pausen am
13. Juli 2026 von 14 bis 18 Uhr,
14. Juli 2026 von 14 bis 18 Uhr und
15. Juli 2026 von 14 bis 18 Uhr 

Wo?

Universität Konstanz, Gebäude ZT, Raum 1201

Was ?

In diesem Kurs lernt ihr “Processing” kennen – einen einfach zu bedienenden Editor, mit dem ihr schnell wunderschöne Grafiken, Computeranimationen und interaktive kleine Spiele programmieren könnt. Processing wurde am MIT entwickelt und wird von vielen Künstlern und Mediengestaltern verwendet. Es basiert auf der Programmiersprache Java, die auch die Grundlage unseres Kurses ist. Anstelle aber irgendwelche langweiligen Beispiele zu programmieren, werdet ihr die Programmierung anhand von Computergrafik lernen, was wesentlich mehr Spaß macht. Dennoch gibt es auch genug zu knobeln.

Der Kurs ist eine Einführung in die Programmierung.
Vorkenntnisse sind nicht erforderlich.

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Past Events