Collaborative Research Center

SFB-TRR 161

Quantitative Methods for Visual Computing

We are living in a data society in which data is generated at amazing speed; individuals, companies, organizations, and governments are on the brink of being drawn into a massive deluge of data. The great challenge is to extract the relevant information from vast amounts of data and communicate it effectively.

Typical scenarios include decision and policy making for urban and environmental planning or understanding relationships and dependencies in complex networks, e.g., social networks or networks from the field of bioinformatics. These scenarios are not only of interest to specialized experts; in fact, there is a trend toward including the broad public, which requires the information to be presented in a reliable, faithful, and easy-to-understand fashion.

Visual computing can play a key role in extracting and presenting the relevant information.

In visual computing research the aspect of quantification is often neglected. The SFB-TRR 161 seeks to close this gap.

The long-term goal is to strengthen the research field by establishing the paradigm of quantitative science in visual computing.

About the SFB-TRR 161

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SFB-TRR 161 Events

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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