San Jose

Aravind Krishnaswamy
Senior Technologist

I am a researcher at Adobe Systems Inc. working on a variety of computing topics. My current interests revolve around tablet/slate computing. I am interested in coming up with new algorithms for creating various types of content on these devices as well as exploring novel user interfaces and experiences for these devices.

Most recently, I was involved in making Adobe Eazel for Photoshop CS5 which combines a new painting algorithm with a novel user interface.

My past projects include the co-creation of the Adobe Ray Tracer (with Nathan Carr), a real-time and final quality ray tracer which was first incorporated into Photoshop CS4 and improved in Photoshop CS5. I also helped create and integrate the technology behind the Bristle Tips and Mixer Brush features in Photoshop CS5. Prior to joining the Advanced Technology Labs, I was a member of the Photoshop engineering team.

I completed my BMath and MMath in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo as a member of the Natural Phenomena Simulation Group under the supervision of Gladimir V.G. Baranoski. My thesis addresses the problem of simulating the interaction of light with human skin. I also did some work with Virtual Goniophotometry during this time.

Prior to joining Adobe I spent six years as a senior software developer at Inscriber Technology Corporation (now Harris Broadcast) working on software for the broadcast television industry. My work included developing GPU rendering algorithms, animation systems and software architecture.

I am also an avid nature photographer.

Publications

• DiVerdi, S., Krishnaswamy, A., Hadap, S. 2010. Industrial-Strength Painting with a Virtual Bristle Brush. In Proceedings of the 17th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, 119-126.
• Baranoski, G., Krishnaswamy, A. 2010. Light and Skin Interactions: Simulations for Computer Graphics Applications. Elsevier: Morgan Kaufmann.
• Gee, Z.; Falco, P. 2010. 3D in Photoshop: The Ultimate Guide for Creative Professionals. Contributing author. Focal Press.
• Baranoski, G., Krishnaswamy, A. 2008. Light Interaction with Human Skin: From Believable Images to Predictable Models. ACM SIGGRAPH ASIA 2008 courses, 1-80.
• Krishnaswamy, A. 2005. BioSpec: A Biophysically-Based Spectral Model of Llight Interaction with Human Skin, Masters Thesis, University of Waterloo.
• Baranoski, G., Krishnaswamy, A., and Kimmel, B. 2005. Increasing the Predictability of Tissue Subsurface Scattering Simulations. The Visual Computer, 21(4), 265–278.
• Krishnaswamy, A., Baranoski, G., and Rokne, J. 2004. Improving the Reliability/Cost Ratio of Goniophotometric Comparisons. Journal of Graphics Tools, 9(3), 1–20.
• Baranoski, G., Krishnaswamy, A., and Kimmel, B. 2004. An Investigation on the Use of Data Driven Scattering Profiles in Monte Carlo Simulations of Ultraviolet Light Propagation in Skin Tissues. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 20(20), 4799–4809.
• Baranoski, G. and Krishnaswamy, A. 2004. An Introduction to Light Interaction with Human Skin. Revista de Informatica Teorica e Aplicada, 11(1), 33–62.
• Krishnaswamy, A. and Baranoski, G. 2004. Combining a Shared-Memory High Performance Computer and A Heterogeneous Cluster for the Simulation of Light Interaction with Human Skin. In Proc. 16th Symposium on Computer Architecture and High Performance Computing (SBAC-PAD 2004), 166–171.
• Krishnaswamy, A. and Baranoski, G. 2004. A Biophysically-Based Spectral Model of Light Interaction with Human Skin. Computer Graphics Forum (Proc. EUROGRAPHICS), 23(4), 331–340.
  Best student paper award (2nd prize).