Advanced Methods In Computer Graphics Animation

This book brings together several advanced topics in computer graphics that are important in the areas of game development, three-dimensional animation and real-time rendering. The book is designed for final-year undergraduate or first-year graduate students, who are already familiar with the basic concepts in computer graphics and programming. It aims to provide a good foundation of advanced methods such as skeletal animation, quaternions, mesh processing and collision detection. These and other methods covered in the book are fundamental to the development of algorithms used in commercial applications as well as research.

Mrs.B.Karthicsonia, Guest Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Government Arts College for Women, Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India. Mrs.G.Pramela, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, A.V.P. College of Arts and Science, Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr.P.Geetha, Assistant Professor(SG), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr.T.Saju Raj, Assistant Professor (SG), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr.Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr.R.Balamanigandan, Professor, Department of Spatial Informatics, Institute of CSE, SIMATS Engineering, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

An exposition of state-of-the-art techniques in rendering and animation. This book provides a unique synthesis of techniques and theory. Each technique is illustrated with a series of full-color frames showing the development of the example.

Whether you're a programmer developing new animation functionality or an animator trying to get the most out of your current animation software, Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques will help work more efficiently and achieve better results. For programmers, this book provides a solid theoretical orientation and extensive practical instruction-information you can put to work in any development or customization project. For animators, it provides crystal-clear guidance on determining which of your concepts can be realized using commercially available products, which demand custom programming, and what development strategies are likely to bring you the greatest success. * Expert instruction from a pace-setting computer graphics researcher. * Provides in-depth coverage of established and emerging animation algorithms. * For readers who lack a strong scientific background, introduces the necessary concepts from mathematics and physics. * Illustrates advanced programming techniques with highly detailed working examples. * Via the companion Web site, provides lecture notes from the author's course for professors, example animations based on the programs covered in the book, Java applets, and links to relevant Web sites. * Special contributions from Dave S. Ebert on Natural Phenomena in Chapter 5 * Special contributions from Scott King, Meg Geroch, Doug Roble, and Matt Lewis on Articulated Figures in Chapter 6.

Computer Science Workbench is a monograph series which will provide you with an in-depth working knowledge of current developments in computer technology. Every volume in this series will deal with a topic of importance in computer science and elaborate on how you yourself can build systems related to the main theme. You will be able to develop a variety of systems, including computer software tools, computer gra phics, computer animation, database management systems, and compu ter-aided design and manufacturing systems. Computer Science Work bench represents an important new contribution in the field of practical computer technology. TOSIYASU L. KUNII Preface to the Second Edition Computer graphics is growing very rapidly; only computer animation grows faster. The first edition of the book Computer Animation: Theory and Practice was released in 1985. Four years later, computer animation has exploded. Conferences on computer animation have appeared and the topic is recognized in well-known journals as a leading theme. Computer-generated film festivals now exist in each country and several thousands of films are produced each year. From a commercial point of view, the computer animation market has grown considerably. TV logos are computer-made and more and more simulations use the technique of computer animation. What is the most fascinating is certainly the development of computer animation from a research point-of-view.

For those who want to learn more about computer animation without being swamped with complex mathematics, this is the book to read! Beginning with the relationship between animation, the human visual system, and computers, Essential Computer Animation fast takes readers through a broad exploration of the subject. Readers will learn all about computer animation techniques; computer animation hardware; animation software, such as Softimage, Maya, 3D-Studio, MAX, and Lightwave; post-production techniques; and animation applications.

The computer entertainment industry drives many of the advances in computing technology, and the second volume of "3D Games" shows how to use advanced techniques in games technology and how these techniques can also be applied in other areas. The book concentrates on three main areas: generic processes - the build process, real-time processes and software design real-time rendering processes character animation The treatment of these topics is built around a specific games system, Fly3D SDK 2.0 (included on the accompanying CD-ROM). By rooting as many as possible of the techniques described within the book in a practical games system, the book is able to balance theory and practice. As well as proving invaluable for professionals in the games industry, the book can be used for courses in games programming and development, animation, advanced graphics, and multimedia. The potential of games to embrace other applications within computing is strong, with the advent of techniques for high scene complexity at low processing costs. The Fly3D engine is not only a vehicle for game creation, but has already been used to develop 3D Internet applications, architectural walkthroughs for CAAD and generic 3D visualisation. Workers in these areas will find the techniques described and accompanying software extremely useful. Alan Watt, based at the University of Sheffield, is the author of many successful books including "3D Computer Graphics," "Advanced Animation and Rendering Techniques," "The Computer Image" and "3D Games Volume 1," Fabio Policarpo is a software developer and founder of the company ParaleloComputac(c)o based in Rio de Janeiro. He co-authored "The Computer Image" and "3D Games Volume I" and currently works on new applications for real-time rendering and gaming technologies. CD includes: Full Fly3D SDK including source code for engine, front-ends, plug-ins and utilities; Demo levels; Engine Guide and Reference Manual and tutorials. http: //www.fly3d.com.br for Fly3D SDK documentation, updates, new demos, FAQs and message board. The included software runs on any Microsoft Windows computer system and requires a 3D video card with full OpenGL support. For making changes to the source code, Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 is required. For scene geometry creation, 3DStudio Max 3.x and 4.x plug-ins are included.

On computer graphics