Computer graphics are visual representations of data displayed on a monitor made on a computer.

Computer graphics can be a series of images (most often called video) or a single image.

interactive graphics

A computer graphics system that allows the operator or user to interact with the
graphical information presented on the display using one or more of a number of input devices, some of which
are aimed at delivering positions relevant to the information being displayed.

Passive Computer Graphics: In non interactive computer graphics otherwise known as passive
computer graphics. it is the computer graphics in which user does not have any kind of control over the image.
Image is merely the product of static stored program and will work according to the instructions given in the
program linearly. The image is totally under the control of program instructions not under the user. Example:
screen savers.
Application of Computer Graphics
1. Computer-Aided Design for engineering and architectural systems etc.
Objects maybe displayed in a wireframe outline form. Multi-window environment is also
favored for producing various zooming scales and views. Animations are useful for testing
performance.
2. Presentation Graphics
To produce illustrations which summarize various kinds of data. Except 2D, 3D graphics
are good tools for reporting more complex data.
3. Computer Art
Painting packages are available. With cordless, pressure-sensitive stylus, artists can
produce electronic paintings which simulate different brush strokes, brush widths, and
colors. Photorealistic techniques, morphing and animations are very useful in commercial
art. For films, 24 frames per second are required. For video monitor, 30 frames per second
are required.
4. Entertainment
Motion pictures, Music videos, and TV shows, Computer games
5. Education and Training
Training with computer-generated models of specialized systems such as the training of
ship captains and aircraft pilots.
6. Visualization
For analyzing scientific, engineering, medical and business data or behavior. Converting
data to visual form can help to understand mass volume of data very efficiently.
7. Image Processing
Image processing is to apply techniques to modify or interpret existing pictures. It is
widely used in medical applications.
8. Graphical User Interface
Multiple window, icons, menus allow a computer setup to be utilized more efficiently.

Difference between Raster Scan System & random Scan System

Base
of
Raster Scan System
Random Scan System
Difference
Electron
The electron beam is swept across the screen, one row at a The electron beam is directed only to the parts of
Beam
time, from top to bottom.
screen where a picture is to be drawn.
Its resolution is good because this system produces
Its resolution is poor because raster system in contrast
Resolution
smooth lines drawings because CRT beam directly
produces zig-zag lines that are plotted as discrete point sets.
follows the line path.
Picture
Picture definition is stored as a set of intensity values for all Picture definition is stored as a set of line drawing

Definition

screen points, called pixels in a refresh buffer area.

instructions in a display file.
The capability of this system to store intensity values for pixel
These systems are designed for line-drawing and cant
makes it well suited for the realistic display of scenes contain
display realistic shaded scenes.
shadow and color pattern.

Realistic
Display
Draw
Image

an

Screen points/pixels are used to draw an image.

Mathematical functions are used to draw an image.

What is Frame Buffer

A frame buffer is a large, contiguous piece of computer memory. At a minimum there is one memory
bit for each pixel in the rater; this amount of memory is called a bit plane. The picture is built up in
the frame buffer one bit at a time.

Plasma Display
A plasma display is a computer video display in which each pixel on the screen is illuminated by a tiny bit
of plasma or charged gas, somewhat like a tiny neon light.Plasma displays are thinner than cathode ray tube (
CRT ) displays and brighter than liquid crystal displays ( LCD ).
CRT (Cathod Ray Tube)
A cathode ray tube (CRT) is a specialized vacuumtube in which images are produced when an electron beam
strikes aphosphorescent surface. Most desktopcomputer displays make useof CRTs. The CRT in a
computer display is similar to the"picture tube" in a television receiver.

Comparision of bitmap and vector graphics

Bitmap graphics

Vector graphics

What are they made up

of?

Pixels of different colours

Objects

What can be edited?

Individual pixels

Individual objects

What is the file size?

Large, as the computer

stores details of every pixel

Small, as the computer stores details of

objects, which do not require much memory

What happens when

they are resized?

They lose quality

They do not lose quality

How real do they look?

Real

Not real (many of them look like cartoon

images)

Native formats that the

software can read

.bmp

.svg

Common file formats

.bmp, .dib, jpeg, gif, tiff,

.png

.cgm, .svg, .odg, .eps, .xml

Difference Between DDA Line Drawing Algorithm and Bresenhams

Line Drawing Algorithm.
Digital Differential Analyzer

Bresenhams Line Drawing Algorithm

Line Drawing Algorithm

Arithmeti
c
Operation
s

DDA algorithm uses floating

Bresenhams algorithm uses fixed

points i.e.Real Arithmetic.

points i.e. Integer Arithmetic.

DDA algorithm

Bresenhams algorithm uses

uses multiplication anddivision in its

only subtraction and addition in its operations.

operations.
Speed

Accuracy
&

DDA algorithm is rather slowly than

Bresenhams algorithm is faster than DDA algorithm

Bresenhams algorithm in line drawing

in line drawing because it performs only addition

because it uses real arithmetic (floating-

and subtraction in its calculation and uses only

point operations).

integer arithmetic so it runs significantly faster.

DDA algorithm is not as accurate and

Bresenhams algorithm is more efficient and much

efficient as Bresenham algorithm.

accurate than DDA algorithm.

DDA algorithm can draw circles and curves

Bresenhams algorithm can draw circles and curves

but that are not as accurate as

with much more accuracy than DDA algorithm.

Efficiency
Drawing

Bresenhams algorithm.
Round Off

Expensive

DDA algorithm round off the coordinates

Bresenhams algorithm does not round off but takes

to integer that is nearest to the line.

the incremental value in its operation.

DDA algorithm uses an enormous number

Bresenhams algorithm is less expensive than DDA

of floating-point multiplications so it is

algorithm as it uses only addition and subtraction.

expensive.

Clipping, in the context of computer graphics, is a method to selectively enable or disable rendering
operations within a defined region of interest. Mathematically, clipping can be described using the terminology
of constructive geometry.

Projections
Projection operations convert the viewing-coordinate description (3D) to coordinate positions on
the projection plane (2D).
There are 2 basic projection methods:
a) Perspective: determined by the center of projection (CP)

b) Parallel: determined by the direction of projection (DP) (projectors are parallel since the CP is
at infinite)
Perspective projection
Characteristics
The CP (center of projection) is at the point (x,y,z)
They are defined by the CP and the PP (projection plane)
Advantages:
Provides visual realism and tridimensional feeling (distance/size effect)
Disadvantages:
- it does not maintain neither the object original shape nor its scale (except in the
planes that are parallel to the projection plane)
It is different to the parallel projection because:
parallel lines are not parallel at the projection
size of the object decreases with the distance
non-uniform reduction of sizes at the projection

Parallel Projection Classification: Orthographic Parallel Projection and Oblique

Projection:
Orthographic parallel projections are done by projecting points along parallel lines that are
perpendicular to the projection plane.
Oblique projections are obtained by projecting along parallel lines that are NOT
perpendicular to the projection plane. Some special Orthographic Parallel Projections
involve Plan View (Top projection), Side Elevations, and Isometric Projection:

Aspect Ratio
In computer graphics, the relative horizontal and vertical sizes. For example, if agraphic has an aspect
ratio of 2:1, it means that the width is twice as large as the height. When resizing graphics, it is important
to maintain the aspect ratio to avoid stretching the graphic out of proportion.