Computer Graphics and Man-Machine Interactions [Guest editorial]

During the past 10 years, there has been a considerable growth of interest in the problems of applying computer graphics techniques to practical use. This interest has created an increasing need for the applications of theoretical computer graphics methods to software and hardware systems that are cost-effective as well as user-oriented. A number of books have been published on the subject of computer graphics, and some rather cost-effective graphics devices have been designed and built for practical use. The latter has mainly been the result of microminiaturization technology of the last five years. Microprocessors, microcomputers, and microprogrammability have helped considerably in making cost-effective display devices a reality, the intelligence of such devices being limited only by the capability of the microprocessors. Applications of computer graphics have steadily increased in such areas as engineering, design, education, medicine/biomedicine, chemistry, business, analysis, computer-aided design, management, structural design, simulation, and communication.