Alvy Ray Smith

Alvy Ray Smith in 2019 01

Alvy Ray Smith is an American pioneer in the field of computer graphics. He is best known for his co-founding of Pixar Animation Studios, a leading entity in the animation industry, alongside Edwin Catmull. Smith's contributions to computer graphics have significantly influenced the development of digital imaging and animation technologies.

Early Life and Education

Alvy Ray Smith was born on September 8, 1943, in Mineral Wells, Texas. From a young age, Smith showed a keen interest in both art and science, a combination that would later define his career. He pursued his higher education in electrical engineering, earning a Bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University and a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University. His doctoral thesis focused on cellular automata theory, a topic that laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in computer graphics.

Career

After completing his education, Smith embarked on a career that would see him contribute to several key developments in the field of computer graphics. He initially worked at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center), where he was involved in early computer graphics research. His work at Xerox PARC included the development of the SuperPaint system, one of the first computer systems capable of producing full-color digital images.

In the late 1970s, Smith joined the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) as part of its Computer Graphics Lab, a pioneering group in the field. However, his most notable career move came in 1979 when he, along with Edwin Catmull, was recruited by George Lucas to lead the Lucasfilm Computer Division. This division was responsible for developing digital technologies for film, including early efforts in digital animation and special effects.

In 1986, Smith and Catmull founded Pixar Animation Studios, with funding from Steve Jobs. At Pixar, Smith played a crucial role in the development of the RenderMan software, which became an industry standard for generating high-quality, photorealistic images. Pixar's success was solidified with the release of Toy Story in 1995, the first feature-length film to be entirely created with computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Contributions and Legacy

Alvy Ray Smith's contributions to computer graphics are manifold. He has been a driving force behind several key technological advancements, including digital painting, image processing, and animation. His work on the alpha channel concept—a method for storing images and their transparency information—has been particularly influential, allowing for complex image compositing.

Throughout his career, Smith has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of computer graphics and animation. His legacy is not only evident in the success of Pixar and the widespread adoption of CGI in film and television but also in his influence on generations of computer scientists and animators.

Later Life

After leaving Pixar, Smith continued to be involved in various digital media and technology ventures. He has also dedicated himself to educating others about the history and potential of computer graphics, through lectures, writings, and participation in industry conferences.

See Also

• Computer Graphics
• Pixar Animation Studios
• Edwin Catmull
• RenderMan (software)

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