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Article

Computer films for research

JAN 01, 1979
Movies made from the output data of complex numerical models offer perceptual advantages that can speed the recognition of unexpected behavior and encourage fruitful discussion.
John T. Scott

Let’s say you have just completed a computer simulation or numerical modeling of a complex system in your physical or chemical research. The data are likely to be delivered back to you in the form of mountains of Z‐fold computer printout or stacks of Calcomp plots. Rather than picking your way through all this paper, why not turn the material into a short movie that can be projected over and over again, fast or slow, to show you whatever trends, discontinuities and so on your model possesses?

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References

  1. 1. The Proceedings of the Boulder conference takes the form of a 40‐minute movie, “Computer Movies for Research, 1978,” (J. H. Eberly, D. G. Hummer, eds) produced for the National Science Foundation at Lawerence Livermore Laboratory by G. Michael.

  2. 2. L. Tilling, Brit. J. Hist. Sci. 8, 193 (1975).

  3. 3. G. H. Gilmer, K. A. Jackson, Current Topics in Material Science 2, 79 (1977);
    J. D. Weeks, G. H. Gilmer, in Adv. Chem. Phys. 40 (1979), to be published.https://doi.org/ADCPAA

  4. 4. R. H. Miller, Astrophys. J. 223, 122 (1978).https://doi.org/ASJOAB

  5. 5. T. Valencich, D. L. Bunker, J. Chem. Phys. 61, 21 (1974).https://doi.org/JCPSA6

  6. 6. J. C. Goldstein, D. O. Dickman, Los Alamos publication LA‐UR‐76‐1292.

More about the authors

John T. Scott, Physics Today.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 32, Number 1

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