Here is one way of assessing the value. Adobe, the leading vendor of software tools to produce documents and illustrations, yesterday had a market cap of $13.25B. Another major software tool builder Macromedia is being acquired by Adobe for something like $3.5B. In contrast, Alias-Wavefront ? the premier vendor of tools to make 3d animation and realistic imagery - was sold in 2004 for $57.5M.
Why is one type of image so much more valuable than another? Previously I referred to Don Norman?s wonderful book ?Things that make us smart.? The book is about the various knowledge tools we build to support thinking. He divides the tools into two classes: those that support Experiential cognition and those that support Reflective cognition. Examples of experiential cognition are training and entertainment. For example, flight simulators, surgical simulators, games and movies. Examples of reflective cognition are design, visualization and education; things like solving math problems, writing software, or designing buildings.
The high demand for abstract imagery is indicative of the fact that most of us who use computer graphics are knowledge workers. Our primary occupations involve mental skills not physical skills. Said another way: How many people in this room actually use realistic computer graphics tools *to conduct* their research? Going to conferences, it seems like our main ?use? of images is in powerpoint presentations!