But since the solid modelling equipment is very expensive it is limited in the "big bucks--defense, automobiles, engineering and aircraft," van Norman says. "We're getting to the point where the lab has the capabilities for it."

Recently packaged software was marketed by "scores of manufacturers for the first time," van Norman says. Its use he feels has increased considerably although the costs are still relatively high

"A major goal now is to take these tools and bring them into studios," van Norman says. But, he continues, "many architects are understandably skeptical...we're dealing through the computer priesthood."

Van Norman's own research focuses on developing new interactive tools between designers and machines so that the programmers can more easily modify projects. His current work involves designing the work stations for offices with computers which is being funded by a grant from IBM. Most of the labs' projects are sponsored by local and federal government agencies or the National Endowment for the Arts

In addition to the GSD, computer graphics have spread throughout the University. The computer Sciences Department last August hired Assistant Professor Mark Friedell because they were looking for faculty knowledgeable in computer graphics. He will be offering Computer Sciences 175 this spring, the first time introduction to computer graphics has been available to undergraduates.

Friedell's own work is concerned with viewing computer systems with intelligence sufficient for it to define its own pictures "The difficulty as I see it, is not producing realistic images, but getting computer graphics systems to synthesize their own image."

The Chemistry Department began experimental graphics displays in 1967 and "it is now essential to the research," says Block systems manager of Computer Facilities in the Chemistry Department Theoretical chemists use the graphics for molecular modelling, crystallography, and for the display of complicated structures rotated in time

Block says the main inhibitor to greater usage is the expense. "The cost of computer graphics equipment is half the cost of the computer itself."

Baird Professor of Science Francis M. Pipkin says that the department has been using graphics for a decade The computer can display data from experiments with high energy proton collisions among other research activities

The statistics Department acquired a computer graphics terminal a year ago" and is using it at full capacity," says Professor of Statistics Peter J Huber "It is very helpful for data analysis." Huber approximated the cost of the computer the discs and color display at $68,000

Boom

And Andy Mitchell a third year GSD student who has been working on the Yosemite project summed up the proliferation. "It's a boom industry for sure. A lot of people are becoming aware of its [graphics] application."