Computer graphics: helping to cope with terrorism

The fist-to-the-gut impact that graphics and images have was driven home to millions of people around the world on 11 September 2001. As graphics professionals, we can take some pride in how we used computer graphics technology in many aspects of the ensuing response. In an emergency, we don't have time to develop new technology. Finding new ways to use what you have and leveraging available technology is what happens. This article describes how computer graphics imaging technology helped us comprehend the incomprehensible and saved lives, is helping and assisting to memorialize the victims, and will assist in the rebuilding that's being planned.