Three Dimensional Computer Graphics

An introduction to the basic concepts of 3D computer graphics that offers a careful mathematical exposition within a modern computer graphics application programming interface. Computer graphics technology is an amazing success story. Today, all of our PCs are capable of producing high-quality computer-generated images, mostly in the form of video games and virtual-life environments; every summer blockbuster movie includes jaw-dropping computer generated special effects. This book explains the fundamental concepts of 3D computer graphics. It introduces the basic algorithmic technology needed to produce 3D computer graphics, and covers such topics as understanding and manipulating 3D geometric transformations, camera transformations, the image-rendering process, and materials and texture mapping. It also touches on advanced topics including color representations, light simulation, dealing with geometric representations, and producing animated computer graphics. The book takes special care to develop an original exposition that is accessible and concise but also offers a clear explanation of the more difficult and subtle mathematical issues. The topics are organized around a modern shader-based version of OpenGL, a widely used computer graphics application programming interface that provides a real-time “rasterization-based” rendering environment. Each chapter concludes with exercises. The book is suitable for a rigorous one-semester introductory course in computer graphics for upper-level undergraduates or as a professional reference. Readers should be moderately competent programmers and have had some experience with linear algebra. After mastering the material presented, they will be on the path to expertise in an exciting and challenging field.

Mixed reality is an area of computer research that deals with the combination of real-world and computer-generated data, where computer-generated objects are visually mixed into the real environment and vice versa in real time. It is the newest virtual reality technology. It usually uses 3D computer graphics technologies for visual presentation of the virtual world. The mixed reality can be created using the following technologies: augmented reality and augmented virtuality. Mixed and virtual reality, their applications, 3D computer graphics and related technologies in their actual stage are the content of this book. 3D-modeling in virtual reality, a stereoscopy, and 3D solids reconstruction are presented in the first part. The second part contains examples of the applications of these technologies, in industrial, medical, and educational areas.

This textbook, first published in 2003, emphasises the fundamentals and the mathematics underlying computer graphics. The minimal prerequisites, a basic knowledge of calculus and vectors plus some programming experience in C or C++, make the book suitable for self study or for use as an advanced undergraduate or introductory graduate text. The author gives a thorough treatment of transformations and viewing, lighting and shading models, interpolation and averaging, Bézier curves and B-splines, ray tracing and radiosity, and intersection testing with rays. Additional topics, covered in less depth, include texture mapping and colour theory. The book covers some aspects of animation, including quaternions, orientation, and inverse kinematics, and includes source code for a Ray Tracing software package. The book is intended for use along with any OpenGL programming book, but the crucial features of OpenGL are briefly covered to help readers get up to speed. Accompanying software is available freely from the book's web site.

This revised edition of the standard introduction to computer animation reflects the latest developments in the field. It explains the basic concepts and techniques, while covering new topics to keep readers up to date.

Practical Algorithms for 3D Computer Graphics, Second Edition covers the fundamental algorithms that are the core of all 3D computer graphics software packages. Using Core OpenGL and OpenGL ES, the book enables you to create a complete suite of programs for 3D computer animation, modeling, and image synthesis. Since the publication of the first edition, implementation aspects have changed significantly, including advances in graphics technology that are enhancing immersive experiences with virtual reality. Reflecting these considerable developments, this second edition presents up-to-date algorithms for each stage in the creative process. It takes you from the construction of polygonal models of real and imaginary objects to rigid body animation and hierarchical character animation to the rendering pipeline for the synthesis of realistic images. New to the Second Edition New chapter on the modern approach to real-time 3D programming using OpenGL New chapter that introduces 3D graphics for mobile devices New chapter on OpenFX, a comprehensive open source 3D tools suite for modeling and animation Discussions of new topics, such as particle modeling, marching cubes, and techniques for rendering hair and fur More web-only content, including source code for the algorithms, video transformations, comprehensive examples, and documentation for OpenFX The book is suitable for newcomers to graphics research and 3D computer games as well as more experienced software developers who wish to write plug-in modules for any 3D application program or shader code for a commercial games engine.

This new edition of 3D Computer Graphics has been fully revised to take into account new developments in graphics. It features new material on modeling and representation, viewing systems, parametric representation, and scientific visualization. The book is richly illustrated with world-class graphics.

Table of contents

Focusing on the 3D aspects of computer graphics, this third edition presents new material on visualisation in scientific computing and recent graphics standards such as PHIGS. A CD-ROM is included containing programs and a 400-image study.