1. Definition of Computer Graphics
Computer aided synthesis of pictures from non-pictorial form
Related fields
Image
Processing
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM)
Computer Vision
Image Processing
Visualization
Programs, data, interactive devices
Camera, sensors
Displays, film recorders, plotters, printers
Printers, removable disks, etc
Symbolic computation
Visualization
CAM
Computer Vision
CAD

2. Computer Graphics Goals
Realism
Interactivity
Real-time image generation
Sometimes these goals are mutually exclusive (more realism = more calculations = less possibility of real-time image creation)

3. Distinctiveness of CG Dynamic environment – real-time image support
Interactive environment for
The creator
The consumer
Simulation environment
Provides an environment for visualizing large quantities of data.

4. Computer Graphics “Operations
Modeling
Coordinates of the ‘corners’ of objects
Primitives (2 & 3D geometric objects)
Equations that define the 2 & 3D shape of objects
Attributes (color, surface texture, etc.)

5. Computer Graphics “Operations”
Storing (first in memory), then on disk
Manipulating
Change shape
Change position
Change characteristics
Rendering– create a picture by applying an algorithmic version of the physics of the real world to create the artificial image.

6. Computer Graphics “Operations”
Viewing – display scene from various viewpoints

7. Major application areas
Business graphics
Much of the profit of CG comes from this area
Low quality (and simple) bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, presentation graphics systems
Much effort spent on hardware development (overhead display panels, film recorders) & software (charting & presentation graphics) to support this area

8. Major application areas
Computer-aided design & computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
Virtual Plant design -
777 design –
Circuit design and layout -
The Boeing 777 is the first jetliner to be 100 percent digitally designed using three-dimensional computer graphics. Throughout the design process, the airplane was "pre-assembled" on the computer, eliminating the need for a costly, full-scale mock-up.

9. Major application areas
Data plotting & visualization
“see” the structure of massive data sets
Genomics -
Computer vision -
See plate 14 & page 9

10. Major application areas
Entertainment
Film makingToy Story, TRON, Star Wars, Twister, Perfect Storm, Jurassic Park III -
Video Games -
Music Videos
Morphing – transform one object into another -

11. Major application areas
Computer Art
Paintbrush programs
Graphics tablet (digitizer)
Stylus (brush shapes, sizes, colors)

12. Reasons for using of CG User can take in more information
Tables versus graphs
Easy to make changes
Circuit design
Can simulate
Auto design
Flight simulators -
Can do the impossible
Not obey the laws of physics
Captain Kirk and USS Enterprise travel through spiral interior of DNA molecule
1. H&B p
H&B p6 1.5
CGW 6/97 p58
H&B p

13. Why is CG hard? Computationally expensive
Still developing new algorithms for realism
Regular objects easy
Surface of revolution
Surface texture
Toys vs people
Texture mapping
See plate 22, 23, 24, 25.

14. Why so Hard, cont. Imperfections Reflectivity
Matt surfaces versus specular surfaces
Fur, hair, etc.

15. Why so hard continued Motion Fur, Fire, Fern Fun
Model by hand – animators and key frames
Model by physical equations
Motion capture
Fur, Fire, Fern Fun
Dynamic systems -
“grow” the processes – particle systems, etc