After months of intense planning ASU geology professor Stephen Reynolds will be traveling to the fourth annual Bryce Camp held at the Yavapai College Sedona Center this May.
"Bryce" is a 3-D software package that allows users to develop natural-looking computer generated scenes more extensively.
Reynolds will head to Bryce Camp in Sedona this May to speak about how the software has been used inside the classroom to enhance geological studies.
"All of our introductory labs in geology use it," Reynolds said. "What we are basically doing is taking a two-dimensional flat map and draping it over a topography that helps students to see the landscapes in a 3-D view that would be harder to do with only a flat map."
The purpose of the five-day camp is to bring together both experienced and inexperienced users to further their knowledge of the Bryce software and showcase the types of things that can be done with the program.
While there is no official Bryce Camp organization, the program continues yearly when interested participants organize the event. The camp has never been held in Arizona and in the past has typically drawn anywhere from 20 to 30 participants.
Reynolds said that participating in Bryce Camp would give him a chance to receive tips from experts on the continuation of incorporating Bryce into the classroom.
Michael Sigmon, an ASU alumnus who worked to bring Bryce Camp to Arizona, said he heard how successful the program was in other states and decided that Arizona would be an appropriate location for hosting the program.
"This is a pretty unique event," Sigmon said. "It's really different from other graphical events."
The Bryce program and camp isn't just designed for computer gurus and those interested in 3-D design; it has also been used for technological purposes as well such as the development of 3-D maps that allow geologist to better see landscapes.
Instructors of this year's Bryce Camp include Susan Kitchens, author of "Real World Bryce 4," and Ken Musgrave special effects coordinator for the films "Titanic" and "Apollo 13."
Kitchens, who started Bryce Camp in 1998 at Ghost Ranch, N.M., said each camp is unique, and she is eager to see Reynolds's work with Bryce.
"It's so exciting that he (Reynolds) has used Bryce in a scientific application," Kitchens said. "It's exciting to hear about this crossover of scientific uses for Bryce as well as artistic expression."
The program will last May 20-24 and participants will use computer labs equipped with T-1 Internet access and Macintosh or PC workstations.
Reach the reporter at tony.ku@asu.edu.
