From The Editor:

American society today has adopted very wasteful habits. We throw away everything once it's old, a little dented, or otherwise outmoded.

Computers are often outdated before they get onto the shelves, and we all know that software is in a constant state of revision. Our society has bought into this idea of Newness being better.

Think about this. In Great Britain and on the European continent, old and even ancient structures are still being used for modern purposes. Here in America, our old buildings are being torn down and replaced with new structures with an estimated lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Where I live in Denver, Colorado, the Urban Renewal Authority went through the city in the 1970s and tore down whole city blocks of Victorian mansions simply because they were old and in-the-way. These architectural landmarks were part of the cultural heritage of Denver. They were replace primarily with parking lots.

So what does this all have to do with 3D? Lots!! You see, 3D art gives us all an opportunity to capture what history before it has been torn down. Historians often use drawings, etchings, and paintings to get a glimpse of what a cityscape or a building used to look like. By using 3D as our medium, we can record architectural and cultural aspects of our day and age. With new techniques in photorealism, we can create believable and pretty accurate representations of past times in America's history.

I hope you'll consider taking some time to look around at the area and culture you live in and find a scene that you can reproduce in 3D. This might give future generations a glimpse into their past and in doing so, you can provide your perspective of your time period.

-For more information on ways you can get involved with Colorado's historical and cultural roots, or ways you can celebrate your local area's heritage, visit the Dr. Colorado Web Site - http://www.coloradowebsites.com/dr-colorado -