Industry recognition for computer scientist

Professor Anton van den Hengel from the University of Adelaide's School of Computer Science has won this year's prestigious South Australian Pearcey Foundation Award.

The award - in recognition of his contribution to information computer technology - is made annually to a younger person in mid-career who is "running a risk and making a difference in the ICT industry".

Professor van den Hengel, who is Director of the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies, was the lead inventor on the team that developed the Videotrace image-based modelling technology.

"Allowing unskilled computer users to create 3D models of objects around them has translated into users being able to generate content for virtual environments such as Second Life and Google Earth," said Brenda Aynsley, Chairman of the Pearcey Foundation selection committee for South Australia.

"That this globally used software was invented right here in Adelaide by Anton and his team at the University of Adelaide illustrates why Anton has been recognised through this most prestigious award."

www.acvt.com.au/research/videotrace

Story by Robyn Mills