The Systemic Image: A New Theory of Interactive Real-Time Simulations (MIT Press)

Computer simulations conceive objects and situations dynamically, in their changes and progressions. In The Systemic Image, Inge Hinterwaldner considers not only the technical components of dynamic computer simulations but also the sensory aspects of the realization. Examining the optic, the acoustic, the tactile, and the sensorimotor impressions that interactive real-time simulations provide, she finds that iconicity plays a dominant yet unexpected role. Based on this, and close readings of a series of example works, Hinterwaldner offers a new conceptualization of the relationship between systemic configuration and the iconic aspects in these calculated complexes.

Hinterwaldner discusses specifications of sensorialization, necessary to make the simulation dynamic perceivable. Interweaving iconicity with simulation, she explores the expressive possibilities that can be achieved under the condition of continuously calculated explicit changes. She distinguishes among four levels of forming: the systems perspective, as a process and schema that establishes the most general framework of simulations; the mathematical model, which marks off the boundaries of the simulation's actualization; the iconization and its orientation toward the user; and interaction design, necessary for the full unfolding of the simulation. The user makes manifest what is initially latent. Viewing the simulation as an interface, Hinterwaldner argues that not only does the sensorially designed aspect of the simulation seduce the user but the user also makes an impact on the simulation -- on the dynamic and perhaps on the iconization, although not on the perspectivation. The influence is reciprocal.

電腦模擬以動態方式構想物體和情境，包括其變化和進展。在《系統圖像》一書中，Inge Hinterwaldner不僅考慮了動態電腦模擬的技術組件，還關注了實現的感官方面。通過研究互動實時模擬提供的視覺、聽覺、觸覺和感覺運動印象，她發現圖像性在其中起著主導但意外的作用。基於此，並通過對一系列示例作品的深入閱讀，Hinterwaldner提出了一種關於系統配置和這些計算複雜性中圖像方面關係的新概念化。

Hinterwaldner討論了感官化的規格，這是使模擬動態可感知的必要條件。她將圖像性與模擬交織在一起，探索在不斷計算的明確變化條件下可以實現的表達可能性。她區分了四個形成層次：系統觀點，作為建立模擬最一般框架的過程和模式；數學模型，標誌著模擬實現的邊界；圖像化及其對用戶的定向；以及互動設計，對於模擬的充分展開是必要的。用戶使最初潛在的東西變得明顯。Hinterwaldner將模擬視為一個界面，她認為，模擬的感官設計方面不僅誘使用戶，而且用戶也對模擬產生影響 - 對動態和圖像化可能有影響，但對透視沒有影響。這種影響是相互的。