Geometric Algebra For Computer Graphics

Geometric algebra (a Clifford Algebra) has been applied to different branches of physics for a long time but is now being adopted by the computer graphics community and is providing exciting new ways of solving 3D geometric problems. The author tackles this complex subject with inimitable style, and provides an accessible and very readable introduction. The book is filled with lots of clear examples and is very well illustrated. Introductory chapters look at algebraic axioms, vector algebra and geometric conventions and the book closes with a chapter on how the algebra is applied to computer graphics.

Until recently, almost all of the interactions between objects in virtual 3D worlds have been based on calculations performed using linear algebra. Linear algebra relies heavily on coordinates, however, which can make many geometric programming tasks very specific and complex-often a lot of effort is required to bring about even modest performance enhancements. Although linear algebra is an efficient way to specify low-level computations, it is not a suitable high-level language for geometric programming. Geometric Algebra for Computer Science presents a compelling alternative to the limitations of linear algebra. Geometric algebra, or GA, is a compact, time-effective, and performance-enhancing way to represent the geometry of 3D objects in computer programs. In this book you will find an introduction to GA that will give you a strong grasp of its relationship to linear algebra and its significance for your work. You will learn how to use GA to represent objects and perform geometric operations on them. And you will begin mastering proven techniques for making GA an integral part of your applications in a way that simplifies your code without slowing it down. * The first book on Geometric Algebra for programmers in computer graphics and entertainment computing * Written by leaders in the field providing essential information on this new technique for 3D graphics * This full colour book includes a website with GAViewer, a program to experiment with GA

Geometric algebra is still treated as an obscure branch of algebra and most books have been written by competent mathematicians in a very abstract style. This restricts the readership of such books especially by programmers working in computer graphics, who simply want guidance on algorithm design. Geometric algebra provides a unified algebraic system for solving a wide variety of geometric problems. John Vince reveals the beauty of this algebraic framework and communicates to the reader new and unusual mathematical concepts using colour illustrations, tabulations, and easy-to-follow algebraic proofs. The book includes many worked examples to show how the algebra works in practice and is essential reading for anyone involved in designing 3D geometric algorithms.

Geometric Algebra for Computer Science (Revised Edition) presents a compelling alternative to the limitations of linear algebra. Geometric algebra (GA) is a compact, time-effective, and performance-enhancing way to represent the geometry of 3D objects in computer programs. This book explains GA as a natural extension of linear algebra and conveys its significance for 3D programming of geometry in graphics, vision, and robotics. It systematically explores the concepts and techniques that are key to representing elementary objects and geometric operators using GA. It covers in detail the conformal model, a convenient way to implement 3D geometry using a 5D representation space. Numerous drills and programming exercises are helpful for both students and practitioners. A companion web site includes links to GAViewer, a program that will allow you to interact with many of the 3D figures in the book; and Gaigen 2, the platform for the instructive programming exercises that conclude each chapter. The book will be of interest to professionals working in fields requiring complex geometric computation such as robotics, computer graphics, and computer games. It is also be ideal for students in graduate or advanced undergraduate programs in computer science. Explains GA as a natural extension of linear algebra and conveys its significance for 3D programming of geometry in graphics, vision, and robotics. Systematically explores the concepts and techniques that are key to representing elementary objects and geometric operators using GA. Covers in detail the conformal model, a convenient way to implement 3D geometry using a 5D representation space. Presents effective approaches to making GA an integral part of your programming. Includes numerous drills and programming exercises helpful for both students and practitioners. Companion web site includes links to GAViewer, a program that will allow you to interact with many of the 3D figures in the book, and Gaigen 2, the platform for the instructive programming exercises that conclude each chapter.

This is a concise and informal introductory book on the mathematical concepts that underpin computer graphics. The author, John Vince, makes the concepts easy to understand, enabling non-experts to come to terms with computer animation work. The book complements the author's other works and is written in the same accessible and easy-to-read style. It is also a useful reference book for programmers working in the field of computer graphics, virtual reality, computer animation, as well as students on digital media courses, and even mathematics courses.

John Vince explains a wide range of mathematical techniques and problem-solving strategies associated with computer games, computer animation, virtual reality, CAD, and other areas of computer graphics. Covering all the mathematical techniques required to resolve geometric problems and design computer programs for computer graphic applications, each chapter explores a specific mathematical topic prior to moving forward into the more advanced areas of matrix transforms, 3D curves and surface patches. Problem-solving techniques using vector analysis and geometric algebra are also discussed. All the key areas are covered including: Numbers, Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate geometry, Transforms, Vectors, Curves and surfaces, Barycentric coordinates, Analytic geometry. Plus – and unusually in a student textbook – a chapter on geometric algebra is included.

Understanding Geometric Algebra: Hamilton, Grassmann, and Clifford for Computer Vision and Graphics introduces geometric algebra with an emphasis on the background mathematics of Hamilton, Grassmann, and Clifford. It shows how to describe and compute geometry for 3D modeling applications in computer graphics and computer vision.Unlike similar texts