U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey USGS Scientific Visualization Laboratory Mission The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Scientific Visualization Laboratory at the National Center in Reston, Va., provides a central facility where USGS employees can use state-of-the-art equipment for projects ranging from presentation graphics preparation to complex visual representations of scientific data. Equipment including color printers, black-and-white and color scanners, film recorders, video equipment, and DOS, Apple Macintosh, and UNIX platforms with software are available for both technical and nontechnical users. The laboratory staff provides assistance and demonstrations in the use of the hardware and software products. Background In response to the growing need to present, publish, and exchange data and experimental results, a graphics laboratory was established in 1972. As the amount of data collected increased and as scientists requested better ways to display their results in an informative manner, the need for visual repre­ sentation of data evolved. Thus, the graphics laboratory, once specializing in presentation graphics only, evolved into the USGS Scientific Visualization Laboratory, encompassing the visuali­ zation of scientific and technical data. Perspective view of the seafloor topography of Cape Code Bay, Mass. The image was created with Advanced Through the use of the resources Visual Systems, Inc., Application Visualization System (AVS). available in this laboratory, scientists can now present their data in a variety of formats for many types of audiences Purpose tations. In addition, data visualization ranging from peer scientists to the provides the capability to communicate general public. Scientific data The purpose of the laboratory is to complex mathematical models of earth visualization provides scientists with the provide advice and assistance and to processes into animation and other visual mechanisms to view, interact with, and make state-of-the-art hardware and formats aimed at both technical and better understand their data. software available to technical and nontechnical audiences. The laboratory nontechnical users for visualizing provides equipment that normally cannot be scientific data and preparing presen- justifiably purchased for a short-term project or a project undertaken by a small areas such as communications, video group of researchers. technology, animation, presentation Tektronix Phaser III Color Postscript graphics, scanning, and networking. Printer Laboratory Resources and This structure also provides personnel Tektronix Phaser 220i Color Postscript Services specializing in various hardware Printer platforms such as the Data General Dual 20 MB Bernoulli Drive Hardware and software are available in AViiON, Sun Microsystems Sun, Silicon the laboratory on a first-come, first­ Graphics Indigoz, Apple Macintosh, and Video Equipment serve basis for USGS employees and DOS-based systems and the software cooperators who have the knowledge to running on each of these platforms. Commodore Amiga Computer/ use the equipment unassisted or those Connections to the USGS file servers NewTek Video Toaster who wish to experiment with the and workstations are provided via U-Matic SP Sony 9850 Recorder hardware and software. Laboratory staff Ethernet. Video Editing Station is available daily to assist with various Silicon Graphics Video Creator projects or questions. Laboratory Access Software Laboratory staff requires that all users The laboratory is available to all USGS of the facility sign in at the monitor employees who would like to use The laboratory has drawing, graphing, provided as you enter the laboratory. The visualization techniques in their data and charting software, image manipu­ usage statistics provide information to analysis and presentation projects. The lation software, communications software, evaluate new hardware and software and laboratory is also available, by special presentation software, scanning software, upgrades required to ensure that the arrangement, to users with projects that visualization software, and limited word laboratory continues to meet the needs involve USGS and other organizations, processing and spreadsheet software. of its users. The laboratory staff gives to experiment with visualization advice to technical and nontechnical technology to determine its Location and Hours users on the most appropriate and cost­ appropriateness for their specific needs. effective hardware and software for the The laboratory is located in Reston, Va., visualization and interpretation of their Hardware on the first floor of the National Center data. in Room 1B201. The laboratory is open The following hardware is available for daily (Monday through Friday) from Specifically, the laboratory staff assists use in the laboratory: 9:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. in the areas of data visualization, image processing, animation techniques, Personal Computers Information rendering techniques, two- and three­ dimensional data manipulation, data Apple Power Macintosh 8100/80 AV The USGS's Scientific Visualization analysis, data modeling, quality video Six DOS Workstations Laboratory Guide to Services is available recording, digitizing and editing (limited on request and contains a complete basis), presentation graphics, scanning, UNIX Workstations listing of hardware and software and 35mm slide production. available. A guide to video equipment Data General AViiON 410 and services in the laboratory is also Users who have large projects to complete Silicon Graphics Indigoz available. may call the laboratory coordinator for DEC 3000 Model 600 AXP more information. After a project is Sun 690 MP Sun Microsystems For more information, contact: approved, personnel with expertise in the needed disciplines are assigned to a Peripheral Equipment Lisa Burgess project team to assist the scientist. U.S. Geological Survey Apple LaserWriter II (300 dpi) 804 National Center For projects requiring assistance in Hewlett-Packard ScanJet lie Reston, Virginia 22092 multiple disciplines, the laboratory Hewlett-Packard ScanJet Ilcx 703-648-7175; Fax 703-648-7069 functions on a project-oriented basis; the Hewlett-Packard Laserjet 4M (600 dpi) Internet Address: task is assigned to a team consisting of Howtek Color Scanmaster lburgess@ irisbta3 .er. usgs.gov personnel with expertise in the required Matrix PCR Slide Film Recorder disciplines. This allows the laboratory Nikon 35mm Slide Scanner staff to use personnel specializing in Tektronix 4693DX Color Printer Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S . Government. April1995 Fact Sheet FS 147-95 .