Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Menu Search


Trinity College Dublin By using this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the Trinity cookie policy. For more information on cookies see our cookie policy.

      
Profile Photo

Dr. John Dingliana

Associate Professor (Computer Science)
Non College Properties
      
Profile Photo

Dr. John Dingliana

Associate Professor (Computer Science)
Non College Properties

 john.dingliana@tcd.ie

 3531896 3680


Dr. John Dingliana graduated with a B.Sc. Honors degree in Computer Science from University College Dublin in 1998 and received his PhD in the Department of Computer Science, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in 2003. His PhD research was on the topic of perceptually-adaptive detail techniques in real-time physically-based 3D computer animation. Between 2002-2005, he worked as a post-doctoral Research Fellow in the Interaction, Simulation and Graphics group at TCD, and, in 2005, he was appointed as a full-time faculty member in the TCD School of Computer Science and Statistics. He has led and collaborated on several funded research projects in areas that include: Immersive Media & Extended Reality (XR) technologies, Spatial and Scientific Visualisation, Visualisation for Cultural Heritage & Digital Humanities, Human-centred Interaction & Serious-Games for Healthcare, Non-Photorealistic Rendering and Perceptually Adaptive Graphics. He has supervised over 20 PhD students (11 completed to date) and over 75 masters dissertations. He has been actively engaged in teaching and curriculum development and has served as postgraduate Programme Director, initially for the MSc in Interactive Entertainment Technology (IET) and, more recently, the MSc in Computer Science at TCD.
  3-D MODELLING   ALGORITHMS   ANIMATION   COLLISION HANDLING   Computer Animation   Computer Graphics   Computer graphics, Meta computing   Computer Science   Computer Science/Engineering   Digital systems, representation   Interactive Visualisation   Modelling, modelling tools, 3D modelling   Non-photorealistic Animation and Rendering (NPAR)   Programming, Information systems   Real-Time Computing   Scientific Visualisation   Virtual Reality   Volume Graphics
Project Title
 TRANSMIXR - Ignite the Immersive Media Sector by Enabling New Narrative Visions
From
October 1, 2022
To
September 30, 2025
Summary
TRANSMIXR is a collaborative EU project involving 20 partners from industry and academia with the goal of creating novel human-centric tools for remote content production and consumption via social virtual reality. Members of the Graphics and Vision lab at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) are participating in the project by contributing technical expertise and experience in immersive technology, including Extended Reality (XR) development and Volumetric Video understanding. TCD will conduct research in the use of Computer Vision and Graphics techniques for the semantic understanding of Volumetric Video, an emergent digital media format comprising 3D geometry and appearance capture from the real world. Volumetric video has many potential novel applications in the areas of Augmented, Mixed and Virtual reality, for instance in the animation of personalized and photo-realistic 3D holograms of real people. The objective of our work in TRANSMIXR is to improve the quality of volumetric video and increase its ease of deployment and interoperability with other, more traditional, forms of digital media. The team at TCD will also contribute to the consortium's broader activities including the development of a collaborative XR Creation Environment for the application of multimodal Extended Reality in novel uses cases such as the newsrooms and museums of the future or XR applications in performing arts.
Funding Agency
European Commission
Programme
Horizon Europe Framework Program (HORIZON)
Project Type
Innovation Action
Person Months
58
Project Title
 aRTIVVIS: Real-time Time-variant Volume Visualisation
From
01/09/2014
To
31/08/2014
Summary
This proposal addresses the problem of real-time interactive visualisation of 3D scientific data, namely volumetric datasets, which are ubiquitous in many application domains such as Medicine, Biology, BioMechanics, Neuroscience, Fluid Dynamics and Veterinary Medicine. Specifically, we deal with the problem of time-variant and multivariate volume data sets which have become more readily available in recent years due to improved scanning technologies and simulation techniques. Such data sets are particularly difficult to deal with due to their computational complexity as well as the information overload that can arise from such visually challenging data. We will employ graphics hardware and parallel computing strategies to address the performance issue, whilst information overload will be dealt with using techniques from perceptually adaptive graphics, computational aesthetics and non-photorealistic rendering which apply smart techniques to improve usability and understandability of data.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Programme
Investigators Program
Project Type
Basic Research
Person Months
192
Project Title
 INFOCARVE: Focus and Context Visualisation for Augmented Reality
From
1/1/2015
To
31/12/2014
Summary
Leveraging our previous work in interactive 3D visualisation, we propose to develop a system for optimised 3D visualisation overlays in Augmented Reality (AR). The system will provide visualisation functions specific for AR that will be reusable in a number of different application domains. In order to achieve improved visualisation, we employ illustrative rendering techniques (e.g. line drawings) that occupy less screen space, minimally obscuring the real scene. Our previous work has shown that such visualisation can still convey extremely useful information about the shape and structure of virtual objects. In addition we apply user guided techniques to highlight specific parts of the data set important to the user, whilst abstracting extraneous information employing a focus-and context paradigm commonly used in visualisation.
Funding Agency
SFI
Programme
TIDA (Technology Innovation Development Award)
Project Type
Applied Research
Person Months
24
Project Title
 The Book of Kells: Investigations of style and design through Non-photorealistic Rendering techniques
From
October 2010
To
September 2014
Summary
The project will tackle some long standing problems associated with the style and design of decoration within the Book of Kells through the use of digital media. Employing the methods of non-photorealistic rendering, specific stylistic and design features will be captured and analysed, with the aim of exploring geometrical patterns and compositions, colour palettes and material properties, as well as visceral mood and style. The aim is to place traditional methods of style analysis employed by the art historian on a deeper, more objective and scientific basis. The project will provide an innovative approach to long standing problems, while at the same time giving the Book itself a new and more dynamic relevance in 21st century society. This project will involve developing innovative techniques for the interactive visualisation of digitally scanned imagery from the Book of Kells. Technical contributions will include the segmentation of the imagery into its stylistic components, which will enable the interactive exploration of the images for scholarly academic analysis in particular by art historians. We will develop techniques for generating high-fidelity interactive renderings of the pages of the book, complete with accurate modelling of material and surface properties of the vellum and pigments under varying simulated lighting conditions. Analysis and modelling of the styles, colours and techniques used in the creation of its pages will allow us to develop tools for producing imagery and digital content themed on the book. We will also develop techniques for remote and online exploration of this historical and artistic content in order to facilitate applications that can reach and engage students and the general public.
Funding Agency
Trinity College Dublin
Programme
TCD Innovation Bursaries 2010
Project Title
 Perceptually Optimized Rendering for Dynamic 3D Visualization
From
August 2008
To
July 2011
Summary
This project addresses the problem of interactive/real-time visualization of highly complex dynamic 3D geometric data, including but not limited to high-resolution volumetric data, highly tessellated surface meshes or point-clouds obtained from 3D scanners. In particular, we are concerned with the issue of visualizing dynamic data whilst it undergoes change. Naïve renderings of complex volumetric data often have a tendency to inflict "information overload" on the user due to too much visual data being presented at once, which is exacerbated when the data is dynamic. Our solution will draw on previous research from perception, volume rendering and non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) literature and combine it with previously explored strategies in interaction design (e.g. cutaway/exploded views) towards a system which is perceptually optimized for interactive visualization. One specific implementation goal is to facilitate the visualisation of time-variant volumetric data such as 3D Ultrasound or 4D MRI.
Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
Programme
Research Frontiers
Project Type
Basic Research
Person Months
60

Page 1 of 2
Details Date
Chair of the Irish Chapter of the European Association for Computer Graphics (EUROGRAPHICS) 2014 May
Editorial Board Member - Journal of Imaging, MDPI 2016 - 2021
International Programme Committee Member - International Conference on Computer Graphics Theory and Applications 2007 - 2025 2025 February
International Programme Committee Member - International Conference on Artificial Telexistence & Eurographics Symposium on Virtual Environments (ICAT-EGVE) 2024 December
Programme Co-chair: EUROGRAPHICS 2005 Short Papers programme 2005 April
Programme Co-chair - Eurographics Ireland Workshop 2002 March
Reviewer - IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics Journal
Reviewer - Computer Graphics Forum Journal
Reviewer - ACM Transactions on Applied Perception Journal
Reviewer - International Journal of Systems & Applications in Computer Graphics
Reviewer for International Journal of Interactive Worlds
Reviewer - Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) Journal
Reviewer - Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering Journal
Reviewer IEEE Spectrum magazine
Reviewer - ACM SIGGRAPH Asia Courses
Reviewer - ACM Siggraph
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
German Basic Basic Basic
Hindi Basic Basic Basic
Details Date From Date To
EUROGRAPHICS: European Association for Computer Graphics 1999 2024
Eurographics Executive Committee 2014 2024
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) - SIGGRAPH Member 2001 2024
IEEE Visualization and Graphics Technical Committee 2014 2024
ICAT (International Conference on Artificial Reality and Telexistence) Steering Committee 2023 2024
Xiaohan Sun, Yinghan Xu, John Dingliana and Carol O'Sullivan, Evaluating CrowdSplat: Perceived Level of Detail for Gaussian Crowds, Workshop on Virtual Humans and Crowds in Immersive Environments Workshop at IEEE VR 2025 (VHCIE 2025), 2025, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  DOI
Chun Wei Ooi, Dipanjan Chakraborty, Owen Kearney, Izabela Naydenova, John Dingliana, Suzanne Martin, Bragg compensated non-normal incidence HOE fabrication for occlusion capable near eye display, SPIE Conference on Advances in Display Technologies XV, San Francisco (CA), USA, 19 March, 2025, 2025, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Schwartz, Rachael and Mullery, Mark and Dingliana, John and McDonnell, Rachel, Computational topology for hand-drawn animation technology: A survey, Computers and Graphics, 129, 2025, Notes: [Cited by: 1], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Xuyu Li, Priyansh Jalan, John Dingliana, The design and evaluation of a tangible interface for cutaway visualization in mixed reality, Computers and Graphics, 2025, Journal Article, IN_PRESS  DOI
Eléa Thuilier and John J. Carey and John Dingliana and Attracta Brennan, The use of virtual rehabilitation Augmented Reality (AR) exergames for patients with osteoporosis to improve balance, muscle strength and confidence: Study design for a clinical trial, Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
E. Thuilier, J. J. Carey, J. Dingliana, M. Dempsey, B. Whelan and A. Brennan, Improving balance and reducing pain in Osteoporosis using Augmented Reality (AR) exergames: Results from a Clinical Trial, RehabWeek 2025, Chicago, USA, 2025, Poster, PUBLISHED
Elea Thuilier, J. J. Carey, B. Whelan, M. Fitzgerald, J. Dingliana, M. Dempsey, S. Biggins and A. Brennan, Engagement With And Tolerability Of Augmented Reality (AR) Exergames Among Older Women With Osteoporosis: Results From A Clinical Trial, World Congress On Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis And Musculoskeletal Diseases, Rome, Italy, April 2025, 2025, Poster, PUBLISHED
Li, Xuyu and Dingliana, John, Tangible Immersive Authoring of Dynamic Mixed Reality Scenes with the World in Miniature Paradigm, Siggraph Asia Posters, December 2025, 2025, Poster, ACCEPTED
Schwartz, Rachael, Mullery, Mark, Dingliana, John and McDonnell, Rachel, Perception of Drawing Reference Quality among Professional Hand-drawn Animators, ACM/EG Expressive Symposium - WICED: Eurographics Workshop on Intelligent Cinematography and Editing - Artworks, Posters, Demos, 2025, Poster, PUBLISHED
Sun, X., Xu, Y., Dingliana, J., O'Sullivan, C., CrowdSplat: Exploring Gaussian Splatting For Crowd Rendering, IET Conference Proceedings, 2024, (10), 2024, p311-314 , Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  DOI
  

Page 1 of 12
John Dingliana, Expressive Volume Visualisation, Invited Seminar at Universitat Polytecnica de Catalunya, VIRVIG Group, UPC, Barcelona, Spain, 22 April, 2015, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Sayandeep Purkayasth, A Hierarchical Image Processing Approach to Analysis of Early Medieval Manuscript Art, 2015, Thesis, PUBLISHED
John Dingliana, Architecture in Virtual Environments, LunchBytes series Panel on Society: Public Space/Architecture, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Kilmainham, Dublin, 17 October, 2014, Goethe Institute and Irish Museum of Modern Art, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
John Dingliana, The History of Video Games Technology, Cork Film Festival, Cork, Ireland, 14th October, 2008, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

  


Award Date
Best Poster Award - ACM Symposium on Applied Perception 2024 2024 August
Günter Enderle Award for Best Paper at Eurographics Annual Conference 2010 2010 May
Best Paper Award - International Conference on Computer Graphics, Visualization , Computer Vision and Image Processing (CGCVIP) 2017 July
Best Poster Award - Eurographics / IEEE-VGTC Conference on Visualization (EuroVis) 2016 June
My research focuses on Computer Graphics and Visualization, and specialised areas of 3D modelling, animation, rendering, perception and Augmented & Virtual Reality. The central theme in my work is exploring how information is most effectively conveyed through visual digital media, particularly as data complexity increases, display technologies evolve, and these tools become more widely used in fields beyond traditional computer science. My work aspires towards making advanced computer visualisation techniques to interdisciplinary users, and to this end I have collaborated with partners from diverse disciplines include creative arts, psychology, culture heritage, medicine and news media. Recent technological advances have significantly expanded the scale of digital data we process daily, while the fidelity of sensor and display technologies now surpasses the perceptual limits of the human visual system. This presents both challenges and opportunities for research on enriching visual applications to enhance human consumption of data. My work explores how key aspects of static, dynamic, and interactive data can be emphasized to improve human understanding of visual information, enhancing critical details or simplifying where necessary. This optimization serves leisure applications from computer games and digital creativity, to precision-oriented goals, such as scientific and medical analysis. My early PhD and postdoctoral research was amongst the first to apply adaptive detail strategies that use human motion perception to optimise computer generated animations. Later, as PI, I extended this approach to optimizing computer images in general, addressing real-world problems such as the visualization of complex time-varying scientific data, which was integral to my three SFI-funded projects as PI and in my contributions to the Prendergast Challenge award, Life in the Currents. In later years, I further applied these methodologies to nascent areas of research including Augmented Reality and AI-driven techniques for visualisation, featured in my work on the EU-FP7 VERVE and Horizon-EU TRANSMIXR projects.