2018/3/8

3D Creation in Reality
3D Computer Graphics
Dr. Edward Hsieh
March 8, 2017

What is GPU for?

CPU vs. GPU

In computing, FLOPS or flops (an acronym for floating-point operations per second) is a measure
of computer performance, useful in fields of scientific calculations that make heavy use of
floating-point calculations.

Source: http://allegroviva.com

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What is GPU for?

CPU (Central Process Unit) vs.
GPU (Graphics Process Unit)

Source: http://allegroviva.com

Basic functions of CPU vs GPU

Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/

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Understand Computer Graphics

technical languages

Rasterisation (or rasterization) is the task of taking an image described

in a vector graphics format (shapes) and converting it into a raster
image (pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer, or for
storage in a bitmap file format.

Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/

Computer graphics (rendering)

pipeline

Rendering (computer graphics) ... Rendering or image synthesis is the process of

generating an image from a 2D or 3D model (or models in what collectively could be
called a scene file) by means of computer programs. Also, the results of such a model
can be called a rendering
Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/

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Computer Images in Pixels

A color image with each pixel described by

(R,G,B,A) numbers, representing the intensity of
red, green and blue and opacity/transparency. For
example, pure red is (255, 0, 0,1) and purple is
(255, 0, 255,1). Aliasing problem is caused by the
discrete nature of pixel and limitation of
resolution, see the jaggy aspect of lines (see left
figure). Antialiasing techniques are thus
required.
Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

Progression of Display Resolutions

(TV, LCD monitors,…)

This chart shows the most common display resolutions, "1024 × 768" means the
width is 1024 pixels and the height is 768 pixels, with the color of each resolution
type indicating the display ratio (e.g. red indicates a 4:3 ratio) (Source: Wikipedia)

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3D geometry modeling

The most classical method for modeling 3D geometry is the use of polygons. An object is
approximated by a polygonal mesh, that is a set of connected polygons. Most of the time,
triangles are used for simplicity and generality, but quadrilaterals (quads) are preferred.
N-gons have 5 or more vertices.

Triangles and Quards

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Projection and rasterization

Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

Ray tracing and Z-buffer

The ray-tracing algorithm does not use a rasterization phase. It sends one ray from the eye
and through each pixel of the image. The intersection between this ray and the objects of
the scene is computed, and only the closest intersection is considered.
The z-buffer method stores the depth(z) of each pixel and the object with a smallest Z gets
displayed.
Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

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Understand Computer Graphics

technical languages

Rasterisation (or rasterization) is the task of taking an image described

in a vector graphics format (shapes) and converting it into a raster
image (pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer, or for
storage in a bitmap file format.

Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/

Computer graphics (rendering)

pipeline

Rendering (computer graphics) ... Rendering or image synthesis is the process of

generating an image from a 2D or 3D model (or models in what collectively could be
called a scene file) by means of computer programs. Also, the results of such a model
can be called a rendering
Source: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ehchua/programming/

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Shading models

The objects can be shaded according to their interaction with light. Various
shading models are utilized which describe how light is reflected by object,
depending on the relative orientation of the surface, light source
and viewpoint.

Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

Shadow computation using ray-

tracing

Shading and material models do not simulate shadows that are harder to handle because
they imply long-range interactions. Ray-tracing computation is done for each pixel and each
light source. A shadow ray is sent from the visible point to the light source. If the ray
intersects an object, then the visible point is in shadow.
Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

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Steps in 3D modeling and rendering

Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

Steps in 3D modeling and rendering

Source: A Short Introduction to Computer Graphics (Frédo Durand, MIT)

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Incredible progress in
programmable shading

Source: How GPUs Work(David Luebke)

Incredible progress in
programmable shading

Source: How GPUs Work(David Luebke)

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Graphics pipeline evolution

Source: How GPUs Work(David Luebke)

3D Case study subjects

 Pokémon Go (AR): the fast rise and fall of users, why?
 3D Movie, why is it not as popular as before? Ang Lee’s
recent 3D movie “Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk,” with
4K resolution and 120 FPS as an example?
 Space exploration: NASA’s Curiosity roller on Mars. How
3D interactivity helps our learning?
 3D fashion, how does 360 body scanning work? What
are the bottleneck for 3D fashion?
 VR headsets: the key success factor of VR: low cost? Or
experience? Or content?

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What is the highest level one could

achieve in Pokémon Go mobile AR?
• Hitting level 40 is very,
very difficult. Pokémon
Go's levelling system
seriously stretches out the
XP needed to climb higher
from around level 30
onwards.
• Then, between levels 39
and 40, you need a
whopping 5m XP - a tenth
of the full amount it takes
to go from zero to 40.

Source: http://www.eurogamer.net

Design of XP in Pokémon Go
Lvl XP Total XP Rewards
Ultra Ball x10, Max
1 - - -
28 250,000 1,350,000 Potion x15, Revive
2 1,000 1,000 Poke Ball x10
x10, Razz Berry x15
3 2,000 3,000 Poke Ball x15
4 3,000 6,000 Poke Ball x15 Ultra Ball x10, Max
Poke Ball x20, Potion 29 300,000 1,650,000 Potion x15, Revive
5 4,000 10,000 x10, Revive x10, x10, Razz Berry x15
Incense
Ultra Ball x30, Max
Poke Ball x15, Potion
6 5,000 15,000 x10, Revive x5,
Potion x20, Max
Incubator Revive x20, Razz
Poke Ball x15, Potion 30 350,000 2,000,000 Berry x20, Incense
7 6,000 21,000 x10, Revive x5, x3, Lucky Egg x3,
Incense Egg Incubator x3,
Poke Ball x15, Potion Lure Module x3
x10, Revive x5, Razz
8 7,000 28,000
Berry x10, Lure
Module

Poke Ball x15, Potion

9 8,000 36,000 x10, Revive x5, Razz
Berry x3, Lucky Egg Ultra Ball x20,
Poke Ball x20, Super Max Potion x20,
36 1,500,000 7,500,000
Potion x20, Revive Max Revive x10,
x10, Razz Berry x10,
10 9,000 45,000
Incense, Lucky Egg, Razz Berry x20
Egg Incubator, Lure
Module
37 2,000,000 9,500,000 ???
Poke Ball x15, Super 38 2,500,000 12,000,000 ???
11 10,000 55,000 Potion x10, Revive 39 3,000,000 15,000,000 ???
x3, Razz Berry x3
Great Ball x20, Super 40 5,000,000 20,000,000 ???
12 10,000 65,000 Potion x10, Revive
x3, Razz Berry x3

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Users vs. revenues of Pokémon Go

Source: http://www.escapistmagazine.com

Background of Pokémon Go and

financial impact

Developer: Niantic
Artist:
Dennis Hwang*
Composer:
Junichi Masuda

Niantic, Inc. is an American software development company based in San Francisco, who is best known
for developing the augmented reality mobile games Ingress and Pokémon Go. The company was formed
in 2010 by Keyhole, Inc. founder John Hanke as an internal startup within Google, known as Niantic Labs.
*Dennis Hwang, who was the designer of some of the festive logos for Google. (source: Wikipedia)

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Viveport & HTC-Vive X (a global VR

accelerator)

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