INCITS -- the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards -- is the central U.S. forum dedicated to creating technology standards for the next generation of innovation. Web3D Consortium is pleased to report that the 2023 INCITS Technical Excellence award is presented to Dr. Richard Puk in recognition of his significant technical  contributions to the development of graphics standards within Web3D Consortium,  INCITS, ANSI, and ISO for over 40 years. He has served 7 terms as ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24/WG 6 Convenor and has played a key role in the development of topics in the area of 3D visualization and interaction on the web, overseeing the X3D and Humanoid Animation standard and contributing to the development of AR/VR standards within SC 24.

Dr. Richard Puk's career in graphics is most notable. Not only is he a pioneer in the science and engineering of 3D, Web, and spatial computing systems, he has translated those innovations into numerous International Standards, which continue to drive industry and research innovations. As a Convenor of the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24/WG 6  for 7 terms, his work has had a global impact, spanning dozens of consistently clear and compatible International Standards. This INCITS award is a well-deserved honor for his impact, diligence, and dedication to collective progress.

Nicholas Polys, Ph.D., Web3D Consortium, President

 

Dr. Richard Puk of Intelligraphics has been the crucial linchpin for everything that we have ever done with Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics and Humanoid Animation (HAnim) standards. He had a central role for over 25 years in making sure that everything makes sense and is well specified, enabling others to implement tools and create models.  He has ensured that Web3D Consortium standards meet the high levels of formal rigor and quality needed for successful international standards. Everyone owes him a huge debt of gratitude for his knowledge, skill, and long years of unparalleled perseverance. Thank you, Dick!

Don Brutzman, Ph.D., Web3D Consortium, X3D Working Group co-chair

Dr. Richard Puk has been a longstanding member of the INCITS Graphics and Imaging committee, contributing to the development of graphics standards within INCITS, ANSI, and ISO for over 40 years.  His expertise in computer graphics, and his programming language and encoding proficiency, have contributed to the publication of several multi-part standards and functional specifications that facilitate interoperable computer graphics systems.  In the mid-1980s/1990s, Dr. Puk was a significant contributor in the development of the GKS and PHIGS standards, establishing an ANSI/ISO baseline that drove 2D/3D graphics technology and paved the way for today’s computer graphics and image generation engines.  In the 1990s/2000s, he was a key contributor in establishing cooperative liaisons, leading to the development of the VRML, X3D, SEDRIS, EDCS, SRM, and PNG Standards.  He has served 7 terms as SC 24/WG 6 Convenor 

Congratulations! to Dick on this recognition and our many thanks for all his support to Web3D Consortium, INCITS Graphics and Imaging and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 24.