3D computer graphics

Basics

3D modeling / 3D scanning 3D rendering / 3D printing 3D computer graphics software

Primary Uses

3D models / Computer-aided design Graphic design / Video games Visual effects / Visualization Virtual engineering / Virtual reality

Related concepts

CGI / Animation / 3D display Wireframe model / Texture mapping Computer animation / Motion capture Skeletal animation / Crowd simulation Global illumination / Volume rendering This box: view • talk • edit

3D computer graphics (in contrast to 2D computer graphics) are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. Computer graphics are Graphics created by Computers and more generally the Representation and Manipulation of Pictorial Data 2D computer graphics is the Computer -based generation of Digital images mdashmostly from two-dimensional models (such as 2D geometric models text and digital In Mathematics, the Cartesian coordinate system (also called rectangular coordinate system) is used to determine each point uniquely in a plane Such images may be for later display or for real-time viewing. Despite these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D computer vector graphics in the wire frame model and 2D computer raster graphics in the final rendered display. In Mathematics, Computing, Linguistics and related subjects an algorithm is a sequence of finite instructions often used for Calculation Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points lines, Curves and shapes or Polygon (s which are all based In Computer graphics, a raster graphics image or bitmap, is a Data structure representing a generally rectangular grid of Pixels In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques. 3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living). Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Three-dimensional space is a geometric model of the physical Universe in which we live A model is not technically a graphic until it is visually displayed. Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space. 3D printing is a category of Rapid prototyping technology A three dimensional object is created by layering and connecting successive cross sections of material A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations. 3D rendering is the 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D Wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer A computer simulation, a computer model or a computational model is a Computer program, or network of computers that attempts to simulate an

Overview

The process of creating 3D computer graphics can be sequentially divided into three basic phases: 3D modeling which describes the process of forming the shape of an object, layout and animation which describes the motion and placement of objects within a scene, and 3D rendering which produces an image of an object. In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object Computer-generated imagery Computer animation is the art of creating moving images with the use of Computers It is a subfield of Computer graphics 3D rendering is the 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D Wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer

Modeling

A 3D rendering with ray tracing and ambient occlusion using Blender and Yafray

Main article: 3D modeling

The model describes the process of forming the shape of an object. 3D rendering is the 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D Wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer In Computer graphics, ray tracing is a technique for generating an image by tracing the path of Light through pixels in an Image plane Ambient occlusion is a shading method used in 3D computer graphics which helps add realism to local reflection models by taking into account attenuation of light due to Blender is a free 3D graphics application It can be used for modeling, UV unwrapping texturing rigging, water simulations YafRay ( Y et A nother F ree Ray tracer is a free, Open source Ray tracing program that uses an XML In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object The two most common sources of 3D models are those originated on the computer by an artist or engineer using some kind of 3D modeling tool, and those scanned into a computer from real-world objects. In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance (i Models can also be produced procedurally or via physical simulation. Procedural modeling is an umbrella term for a number of techniques in Computer graphics to create 3D models and textures from sets of rules Dynamical simulation, in Computational physics, is the Simulation of systems of objects that are free to move usually in three dimensions according to Newton's

Layout and animation

Main article: Computer animation

Before objects are rendered, they must be placed (layout/laid out) within a scene. Computer-generated imagery Computer animation is the art of creating moving images with the use of Computers It is a subfield of Computer graphics This is what defines the spatial relationships between objects in a scene including location and size. Animation refers to the temporal description of an object, i. e. , how it moves and deforms over time. Popular methods include keyframing, inverse kinematics, and motion capture, though many of these techniques are used in conjunction with each-other. A key frame in Animation and Filmmaking is a drawing which defines the starting and ending points of any smooth transition. Inverse kinematics is the process of determining the parameters of a jointed flexible object (a Kinematic chain) in order to achieve a desired pose Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating the movement onto a digital model As with modeling, physical simulation is another way of specifying motion. Dynamical simulation, in Computational physics, is the Simulation of systems of objects that are free to move usually in three dimensions according to Newton's

Rendering

During the 3D rendering step, the number of reflections “light rays” can take, as well as various other attributes, can be tailored to achieve a desired visual effect. 3D rendering is the 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D Wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer

Main article: 3D rendering

Rendering converts a model into an image either by simulating light transport to get photorealistic images, or by applying some kind of style as in non-photorealistic rendering. 3D rendering is the 3D computer graphics process of automatically converting 3D Wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects on a computer Light transport theory deals with the mathematics behind calculating the energy transfers between media that affect visibility Non-photorealistic rendering (NPR is an area of Computer graphics that focuses on enabling a wide variety of expressive styles for digital art The two basic operations in realistic rendering are transport (how much light gets from one place to another) and scattering (how surfaces interact with light). This step is usually performed using 3D computer graphics software or a 3D graphics API. 3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D Computer-generated imagery. 3D graphics have become so popular particularly in Computer games that specialized APIs (application programming interfaces have been created to ease the processes in all stages The process of altering the scene into a suitable form for rendering also involves 3D projection which allows a three-dimensional image to be viewed in two dimensions. 3D projection is any method of mapping three-dimensional points to a two-dimensional plane

Communities

There are a multitude of websites designed to help educate and support 3D graphic artists. Some are managed by software developers and content providers, but there are standalone sites as well (such as Renderosity). Renderosity is an online art community and marketplace for digital artists, with special emphasis on computer-generated 3D graphics, 2D graphics photography and animation These communities allow for members to seek advice, post tutorials, provide product reviews or post examples of their own work.

Distinct from photorealistic 2D graphics

Not all computer graphics that appear 3D are based on a wireframe model. 2D computer graphics with 3D photorealistic effects are often achieved without wireframe modeling and are sometimes indistinguishable in the final form. Photorealism is the genre of painting based on making a painting of a Photograph. Some graphic art software includes filters that can be applied to 2D vector graphics or 2D raster graphics on transparent layers. Graphic art software is a subclass of Application software used for Graphic design, Multimedia development specialized image development, general Visual artists may also copy or visualize 3D effects and manually render photorealistic effects without the use of filters. The visual arts are art forms that focus on the creation of works which are primarily Visual in nature such as Painting, Photography Rendering in Visual art and Technical drawing means the process of creating shading and texturing of an image especially a Photorealistic one See also still life. This article is about Still Life (or still lifes as plural the art form

History

William Fetter was credited with coining the term computer graphics in 1960, to describe his work at Boeing. William Fetter (1928-2002 was an American Computer graphics art director The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E One of the first displays of computer animation was Futureworld (1976), which included an animation of a human face and hand — produced by Ed Catmull and Fred Parke at the University of Utah. Futureworld is a 1976 sequel to the 1973 Science fiction film Westworld. The bouncing ball animation (below consists of these 6 frames Edwin Catmull, PhD (born 1945 in Parkersburg, West Virginia) is an Academy Award winning Computer scientist and current president of Walt Frederick I Parke is a University of Utah graduate and creator of the first CG physically-modeled human face The University of Utah (referred to locally as ' The U' or ' the U of U') is a publicly funded Research university in Salt Lake

See also

References

External links

• A Critical History of Computer Graphics and Animation
• The ARTS: Episode 5 An in depth interview with Legalize on the subject of the History of Computer Graphics. A human interface device or HID is a type of Computer device that Interacts directly with and most often takes Input from 3D projection is any method of mapping three-dimensional points to a two-dimensional plane Anaglyph images are used to provide a stereoscopic 3D effect when viewed with 2 color glasses (each lens a chromatically opposite color usually red and cyan Computer vision is the science and technology of machines that see Digital geometry deals with discrete sets (usually discrete point sets considered to be digitized models or Images of objects of the Geometric manipulation of modeling primitives such as that performed by a Geometry Pipeline, is the first stage in Computer graphics systems which perform image generation based Geometry processing is a fast-growing area of Research that uses concepts from Applied mathematics, Computer science and Engineering to design Graphics (from Greek grc [[wiktγραφικός γραφικός]] see -graphy) are Visual presentations on some surface such as a wall Image processing is any form of Signal processing for which the input is an image such as photographs or frames of video the output of image processing can be either an image Reflection in Computer graphics is used to emulate reflective objects like Mirrors and Shiny surfaces Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model, by means of computer programs SIGGRAPH (short for S pecial I nterest G roup on GRAPH ics and Interactive Techniques is the name of the annual conference on Computer graphics This is a chronological list of films and television programs that have been recognised as being pioneering in their use of Computer-generated imagery. (Available in MP3 audio format)
• How Stuff Works - 3D Graphics
• History of Computer Graphics series of articles