Making graphics tangible

This is a write-up of material presented at keynote talks at Virtual Reality 2012 and at Shape Modeling International 2012. Producing tangible, physical output becomes a growing role for computer graphics due to the emergence of inexpensive rapid-prototyping machines and on-line fabrication services. While producing small models with a layered manufacturing process has become very easy, creating larger and more durable objects still requires a designer to address an expanded list of issues. In this article some of these issues are discussed based on experiences the author has gained while designing various physical artifacts ranging from mathematical visualization models and geometrical puzzles to large scale sculptures. Tangible artifacts also gain importance at the beginning of a design process and as input to computer graphics tools. An argument is made and an outline is given for new ways and better user interfaces to enter the geometry of inspirational artifacts into our virtual CAD environments.