****************************************** Call for Papers The Visual Computer: International Journal of Computer Graphics Special Issue on Virtual worlds: where Image Processing meets Computer Graphics ***************************************** The Visual Computer is dedicated to reporting on the state-of-the-art of research in the field of graphics, vision, imaging, and virtual reality. This special issue in the Visual Computer aims at presenting a representative sample of innovative research, methods and techniques towards the creation of realistic virtual humans. The main goal is to achieve horizontal integration by bringing together the typically disparate research communities working on 3D image processing, computer graphics, human computer interaction and human factors, towards demonstrating examples of the practical benefits of 3D technology on the everyday lives of users. The contributions to this special issue are expected to bring new advances from theory and practice towards realistic and natural animated autonomous 3D avatars and represent recent advances in related fields including 3D image processing, computer graphics, human computer interaction and human factors, as well as to state problems and new research challenges to be focused on by the research community in the near and mid-term future. The main topics of interest for this special issue include (but are not limited to): · 3D computer graphics methods · Media analysis for 3D data generation · Realistic human rendering · Gesture classification and object recognition · Distributed immersive virtual worlds · Attention behaviour in one-on-one and group interaction · 3D Model scalability and channel coding and transmission of 3D media · Multi-agent based social network modelling and analysis Paper submission: Instructions for paper preparation and submission are available at the Visual Computer’s website - http://www.springer.com/computer/image+processing/journal/371 - “Instructions for Authors”. Please choose “Special Issue - 3DLife” for the Article Type when submitting a manuscript. The submitted papers will follow a normal peer review process by at least three reviewers, and be selected based on their originality, significance, technical soundness, and clarity of exposition. Special issue timeline: Manuscript Submission Deadline: January 31, 2012 Preliminary review results: March 20, 2012 Revised Manuscript Due: April 30, 2012 Expected Publication Date: July/August 2012 Guest editors: Ebroul Izquierdo, Queen Mary University of London, UK Noel O’Connor, Dublin City University, Ireland Qianni Zhang, Queen Mary University of London, UK Yang Cai, Carnegie Mellon University, USA Contact: Qianni Zhang School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Tel: +44 20 7882 7880; Fax: +44 20 7882 7997 Email: qianni.zhang@eecs.qmul.ac.uk This special issue will be supported by the virtual centre of Excellence in Media Computing and Communication (EMC^2) and the Network of Excellence: Bringing the 3D Internet to Life (3DLife).