Intro To Computer Graphics - Wk1
Intro To Computer Graphics - Wk1
Objectives
In this lecture, Introductions Course Objective
Intro
BIT 4101 Computer Graphics Instructor: Jeremiah Mugambi Email: [email protected] Lecture: 1st Floor Room 14 (Time 5:30- 8:30 pm) Notes: sent via email every week
Class rules:
Prerequisites
Data Structure and Algorithms
Reading Materials
Hearn,Baker - Computer Graphics - C Version 2nd
Ed
Course Outline
Provided (Hard Copy)
History
Applications
Computer Graphics:
Computer Graphics: Computer graphics is
concerned with producing images and animations (or sequences of images) using a computer. This includes the hardware and software systems used to make these images. The task of producing photo-realistic images is an extremely complex one, but this is a field that is in great demand because of the nearly limitless variety of applications.
The Basics
Computer graphics: generating 2D images of a
modeling: (shape) creating and representing the geometry of objects in the 3D world rendering: (light, perspective) generating 2D images of the objects animation: (movement) describing how objects change in time
History
The field of computer graphics has grown enormously over the past 1020 years, and many software systems have
been developed for generating computer graphics of various sorts. This can include systems for producing 3dimensional models of the scene to be drawn, the rendering software for drawing the images, and the associated user-interface software and hardware.
Graphics is fun
Applications
Everyday Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Industrial design Entertainment: Cinema, Games , Movie, TV special
Visualize complex software systems Cartography and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Graphical User Interfaces: & everyday Use - Microsofts OS 7 & 8 use graphics Simulation & Graphics visualizations;
applying physically based procedures to generate (photorealistic) images from scenes (using lighting and shading) Viewing: displaying images from various viewpoints on various devices
An Example
Where did this image come from?
An Answer
Application: The object is an artists impression
of the sun for an animation Software: used for modeling and rendering Hardware: PC with graphics card for modeling and rendering
Output device
Input devices
Image formed in FB
CRT
Can be used either as a line-drawing device (calligraphic) or to display contents of frame buffer (raster mode)
computing
Strip charts Pen plotters Simple displays using A/D converters to go from computer to calligraphic CRT
Cost of refresh for CRT too high Computers slow, expensive, unreliable
Display Processors
Storage tube
Sketchpad
Introduced by Ivan Recognized the potential of man-machine interaction Loop
Display something User moves light pen Computer generates new display
Sutherland also created many of the now common algorithms for computer graphics
Display Processor
Rather than have the host computer try to refresh
Raster Graphics
Image produced as an array (the raster) of picture
Raster Graphics
Allows us to go from lines and wire frame images to
filled polygons
smooth shading
environment mapping
bump mapping
Computer Graphics: 2000 Photorealism Graphics cards for PCs dominate market Nvidia, ATI, 3DLabs
market Computer graphics routine in movie industry: Maya, Lightwave Programmable pipelines
Exercise
List the modern hardware used in Computer
Graphics today and the features that make them suitable for CG List the Modern Softwares for CG and the capabilities they offer What are some challenges inherent in CG to date?