COMPUTER GRAPHICS

BIT 2301 A/ BAC 3206

By
Dr. Edwin Omol
 CONTENT
• Introduction
• Applications
• Interactive Vs Passive Graphics
• Display Processor
• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
• Random scan Vs Raster Scan
• Color CRT Monitors
• Direct View Storage Tubes
• Flat Panel Display
 INTRODUCTION
• Computer Graphics is the creation of pictures with
the help of a computer. The end product of the
computer graphics is a picture it may be a business
graph, drawing, and engineering
• It is the use of computers to create and
manipulate pictures on a display device. It
comprises of software techniques to create, store,
modify, represents pictures.
 WHY COMPUTER GRAPHICS
• Suppose KCA University want to show the students
intake for the last five years. So a lot of time and
memory will be needed. This method will be tough
to understand by a common man. In this situation
graphics is a better alternative. Graphics tools are
charts and graphs. Using graphs, data can be
represented in pictorial form. A picture can be
understood easily just with a single look.
• A picture is 10,000 worth words!
 HOW COMP GRAPHICS WORKS
• Interactive computer graphics work using the
concept of two-way communication between
computer users. The computer will receive signals
from the input device, and the picture is modified
accordingly. Picture will be changed quickly when
we apply command.
 APPLICATION
• Education and Training: Computer-generated model of the physical,
financial and economic system is often used as educational aids. Model
of physical systems, physiological system, population trends or
equipment can help trainees to understand the operation of the system.
• For some training applications, particular systems are designed. For
example Flight Simulator.
Flight Simulator: It helps in giving training to the pilots of airplanes. These
pilots spend much of their training not in a real aircraft but on the ground
at the controls of a Flight Simulator.
Advantages:
• Fuel Saving
• Safety
• Ability to familiarize the training with a large number of the world's
airports.
 APPLICATION….
• 2. Use in Biology: Molecular biologist can display a picture of
molecules and gain insight into their structure with the help of
computer graphics.
• 3. Computer-Generated Maps: Town planners and
transportation engineers can use computer-generated maps
which display data useful to them in their planning work.
• 4. Architect: Architect can explore an alternative solution to
design problems at an interactive graphics terminal. In this
way, they can test many more solutions that would not be
possible without the computer.
• 5. Presentation Graphics: Example of presentation Graphics
are bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and other displays
showing relationships between multiple parameters.
 APPLICATION….
• 6. Computer Art: Computer Graphics are also used in the field
of commercial arts. It is used to generate television and
advertising commercial.
• 7. Entertainment: Computer Graphics are now commonly used
in making motion pictures, music videos and television shows.
• 8. Visualization: It is used for visualization of scientists,
engineers, medical personnel, business analysts for the study
of a large amount of information.
• 9. Educational Software: Computer Graphics is used in the
development of educational software for making computer-
aided instruction.
• 10. Printing Technology: Computer Graphics is used for
printing technology and textile design.
 EXAMPLE OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS
PACKAGES
• LOGO
• COREL DRAW
• AUTO CAD
• 3D STUDIO
• CORE
• GKS (Graphics Kernel System)
• PHIGS
• CAM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
• CGI (Computer Graphics Interface)
 INTERACTIVE AND PASSIVE GRAPHICS
Non-Interactive or Passive Computer Graphics: The
picture is produced on the monitor, and the user
does not have any controlled over the image, i.e.,
the user cannot make any change in the rendered
image.
Involves only one-way communication between the
computer and the user, User can see the produced
image, and he cannot make any change in the
image
 INTERACTIVE AND PASSIVE GRAPHICS….
Interactive Computer Graphics: User have some controls over the
picture, i.e., the user can make any change in the produced image.
One example of it is the ping-pong game.
Require two-way communication between the computer and the
user. A User can see the image and make any change by sending
his command with an input device
Advantages:
• Higher Quality
• More precise results or products
• Greater Productivity
• Lower analysis and design cost
• Significantly enhances our ability to understand data and to
 Working of Interactive Computer Graphics
The modern graphics display is very simple in
construction. It consists of three components:
1. Frame Buffer or Digital Memory
2. A Monitor likes a home T.V. set without the tuning
and receiving electronics.
3. Display Controller or Video Controller: It passes
the contents of the frame buffer to the monitor.
 FRAME BUFFER
A digital frame buffer is large, contiguous piece of computer
memory used to hold or map the image displayed on the screen.
• At a minimum, there is 1 memory bit for each pixel in the raster.
This amount of memory is called a bit plane.
• A 1024 x 1024 element requires 220 (210=1024;220=1024 x
1024)sq.raster or 1,048,576 memory bits in a single bit plane.
• The picture is built up in the frame buffer one bit at a time.
• ∵ A memory bit has only two states (binary 0 or 1), a single bit
plane yields a black and white (monochrome display).
• As frame buffer is a digital device write raster CRT is an analog
device.
 PROPERTIES OF VIDEO MONITOR
• 1. Persistence: Persistence is the duration of
phosphorescence. Different kinds of phosphors are
available for use in CRT. Besides color, a major
difference between phosphor in their persistence
how they continue to emit light after the electron
beam is removed.
• 2. Resolution: Use to describe the number of pixels
that are used on display image.
• 3. Aspect Ratio: It is the ratio of width to its height.
Its measure is unit in length or number of pixels.
• Aspect Ratio =
 DISPLAY PROCESSOR
• It is interpreter or piece of hardware that converts
display processor code into pictures. It is one of the
four main parts of the display processor
COMPONENTS
1. Display File Memory
2. Display Processor
3. Display Generator
4. Display Console
Display File Memory: It is used for generation of the picture. It is used for
identification of graphic entities.
Display Controller:
• It handles interrupt
• It maintains timings
• It is used for interpretation of instruction.
Display Generator:
• It is used for the generation of character.
• It is used for the generation of curves.
Display Console: It contains CRT, Light Pen, and Keyboard and deflection
system.
• The raster scan system is a combination of some processing units. It
consists of the control processing unit (CPU) and a particular processor
called a display controller. Display Controller controls the operation of
the display device. It is also called a video controller.
Working: The video controller in the output circuitry generates the
horizontal and vertical drive signals so that the monitor can sweep. Its
 DISPLAY DEVICES
• The most commonly used display device is a video
monitor. The operation of most video monitors
based on CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The following
display devices are used:
• Refresh Cathode Ray Tube
• Random Scan and Raster Scan
• Color CRT Monitors
• Direct View Storage Tubes
• Flat Panel Display
• Lookup Table
 CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT)
• A technology used in traditional computer
monitors and televisions. The image on CRT display
is created by firing electrons from the back of the
tube of phosphorus located towards the front of
the screen.
• Once the electron heats the phosphorus, they
light up, and they are projected on a screen. The
color you view on the screen is produced by a
blend of red, blue and green light.
 COMPONENTS OF CRT
1. Electron Gun: Electron gun consisting of a series of elements, primarily a
heating filament (heater) and a cathode. The electron gun creates a source of
electrons which are focused into a narrow beam directed at the face of the
CRT.
2. Control Electrode: It is used to turn the electron beam on and off.
3. Focusing system: It is used to create a clear picture by focusing the
electrons into a narrow beam.
4. Deflection Yoke: It is used to control the direction of the electron beam. It
creates an electric or magnetic field which will bend the electron beam as it
passes through the area. In a conventional CRT, the yoke is linked to a sweep
or scan generator. The deflection yoke which is connected to the sweep
generator creates a fluctuating electric or magnetic potential.
5. Phosphorus-coated screen: The inside front surface of every CRT is coated
with phosphors. Phosphors glow when a high-energy electron beam hits
them. Phosphorescence is the term used to characterize the light given off by
a phosphor after it has been exposed to an electron beam.
 RANDOM SCAN AND RASTER SCAN DISPLAY
• Random Scan System uses an electron beam which
operates like a pencil to create a line image on the CRT
screen. The picture is constructed out of a sequence of
straight-line segments. Each line segment is drawn on
the screen by directing the beam to move from one
point on the screen to the next, where its x & y
coordinates define each point. After drawing the picture.
The system cycles back to the first line and design all the
lines of the image 30 to 60 time each second.
• Random-scan monitors are also known as vector displays
or stroke-writing displays or calligraphic displays
 RANDOM SCAN AND RASTER SCAN
DISPLAY…….
Advantages:
• A CRT has the electron beam directed only to
the parts of the screen where an image is to be
drawn.
• Produce smooth line drawings.
• High Resolution
Disadvantages:
• Random-Scan monitors cannot display realistic
shades scenes.
 RANDOM SCAN AND RASTER SCAN
DISPLAY…….
• A Raster Scan Display is based on intensity control of pixels in the
form of a rectangular box called Raster on the screen.
Information of on and off pixels is stored in refresh buffer or
Frame buffer. Televisions in our house are based on Raster Scan
Method. The raster scan system can store information of each
pixel position, so it is suitable for realistic display of objects.
Raster Scan provides a refresh rate of 60 to 80 frames per second.
• Frame Buffer is also known as Raster or bit map. In Frame Buffer
the positions are called picture elements or pixels. Beam
refreshing is of two types. First is horizontal retracing and second
is vertical retracing. When the beam starts from the top left
corner and reaches the bottom right scale, it will again return to
the top left side called at vertical retrace.
 RANDOM SCAN AND RASTER SCAN
DISPLAY…….
Types of Scanning or travelling of beam in Raster Scan
1. Interlaced Scanning: In Interlaced scanning, each
horizontal line of the screen is traced from top to bottom.
Due to which fading of display of object may occur. This
problem can be solved by Non-Interlaced scanning. In this
first of all odd numbered lines are traced or visited by an
electron beam, then in the next circle, even number of
lines are located.
2. Non-Interlaced Scanning: For non-interlaced display
refresh rate of 30 frames per second used. But it gives
flickers. For interlaced display refresh rate of 60 frames
per second is used.
 RANDOM SCAN AND RASTER SCAN
DISPLAY…….
Advantages:
• Realistic image
• Million Different colors to be generated
• Shadow Scenes are possible.
Disadvantages:
• Low Resolution
• Expensive
 Differences between Random and Raster
Scan Display
Random Scan Raster Scan

1. It has high Resolution 1. Its resolution is low.

2. It is more expensive 2. It is less expensive

3. Any modification if needed is easy 3.Modification is tough

4. Solid pattern is tough to fill 4.Solid pattern is easy to fill

5. Refresh rate depends or resolution 5. Refresh rate does not depend on the
picture.

6. Only screen with view on an area is 6. Whole screen is scanned.

displayed.

7. Beam Penetration technology come 7. Shadow mark technology came under

under it. this.

8. It does not use interlacing method. 8. It uses interlacing

9. It is restricted to line drawing 9. It is suitable for realistic display.

applications
 COLOR CRT MONITORS
• The CRT Monitor display by using a combination
of phosphors. The phosphors are different colors.
There are two popular approaches for producing
color displays with a CRT are:
1. Beam Penetration Method
2. Shadow-Mask Method
 BEAM PENETRATION METHOD
• In this method, the CRT screen is coated with two
layers of phosphor, red and green and the displayed
color depends on how far the electron beam
penetrates the phosphor layers. This method
produces four colors only, red, green, orange and
yellow. A beam of slow electrons excites the outer
red layer only; hence screen shows red color only. A
beam of high-speed electrons excites the inner
green layer. Thus screen shows a green color.
 BEAM PENETRATION METHOD…………

Advantages:
• Inexpensive
Disadvantages:
• Only four colors are possible
• Quality of pictures is not as good as with
another method.
 SHADOW-MASK METHOD
• Shadow Mask Method is commonly used in Raster-Scan System
because they produce a much wider range of colors than the
beam-penetration method.
• It is used in the majority of color TV sets and monitors.
• Construction: A shadow mask CRT has 3 phosphor color dots at
each pixel position.
• One phosphor dot emits: red light
• Another emits: green light
• Third emits: blue light
• This type of CRT has 3 electron guns, one for each color dot and
a shadow mask grid just behind the phosphor coated screen.
• Shadow mask grid is pierced with small round holes in a
triangular pattern.
• Working: Triad arrangement of red, green, and blue
guns.
• The deflection system of the CRT operates on all 3
electron beams simultaneously; the 3 electron beams
are deflected and focused as a group onto the shadow
mask, which contains a sequence of holes aligned with
the phosphor- dot patterns.
• When the three beams pass through a hole in the
shadow mask, they activate a dotted triangle, which
occurs as a small color spot on the screen.
• The phosphor dots in the triangles are organized so that
each electron beam can activate only its corresponding
color dot when it passes through the shadow mask.
• Inline arrangement: Another configuration for the
3 electron guns is an Inline arrangement in which
the 3
• electron guns and the corresponding red-green-
blue color dots on the screen, are aligned along
one scan line rather of in a triangular pattern.
• This inline arrangement of electron guns in easier
to keep in alignment and is commonly used in
high-resolution color CRT's.
Advantage:
• Realistic image
• Million different colors to be generated
• Shadow scenes are possible
Disadvantage:
• Relatively expensive compared with the
monochrome CRT.
• Relatively poor resolution
• Convergence Problem
 DIRECT VIEW STORAGE TUBES
• DVST terminals also use the random scan approach
to generate the image on the CRT screen. The term
"storage tube" refers to the ability of the screen to
retain the image which has been projected against
it, thus avoiding the need to rewrite the image
constantly.
Function of guns: Two guns are used in DVST
• Primary guns: It is used to store the picture
pattern.
• Flood gun or Secondary gun: It is used to maintain
picture display.
Advantage:
• No refreshing is needed.
• High Resolution
• Cost is very less
Disadvantage:
• It is not possible to erase the selected part of
a picture.
• It is not suitable for dynamic graphics
applications.
• If a part of picture is to modify, then time is
consumed.
 FLAT PANEL DISPLAY
• The Flat-Panel display refers to a class of video
devices that have reduced volume, weight and
power requirement compare to CRT.
• Example: Small T.V. monitor, calculator, pocket
video games, laptop computers, an advertisement
board in elevator.
1. Emissive Display: The emissive displays are
devices that convert electrical energy into light.
Examples are Plasma Panel, thin film
electroluminescent display and LED (Light Emitting
Diodes).
2. Non-Emissive Display: The Non-Emissive
displays use optical effects to convert sunlight or
light from some other source into graphics
patterns. Examples are LCD (Liquid Crystal Device).
 PLASMA PANEL DISPLAY
• Plasma-Panels are also called as Gas-Discharge Display. It
consists of an array of small lights. Lights are fluorescent in
nature. The essential components of the plasma-panel display
are:
• Cathode: It consists of fine wires. It delivers negative voltage to
gas cells. The voltage is released along with the negative axis.
• Anode: It also consists of line wires. It delivers positive voltage.
The voltage is supplied along positive axis.
• Fluorescent cells: It consists of small pockets of gas liquids
when the voltage is applied to this liquid (neon gas) it emits
light.
• Glass Plates: These plates act as capacitors. The voltage will be
applied, the cell will glow continuously.
 PLASMA PANEL DISPLAY….
• The gas will slow when there is a significant voltage
difference between horizontal and vertical wires.
The voltage level is kept between 90 volts to 120
volts. Plasma level does not require refreshing.
Erasing is done by reducing the voltage to 90 volts.
• Each cell of plasma has two states, so cell is said to
be stable. Displayable point in plasma panel is
made by the crossing of the horizontal and vertical
grid. The resolution of the plasma panel can be up
to 512 * 512 pixels.