WEEK 1

Examples

Graphics often combine text, illustration, and color. Graphic design may consist of the
deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flier,
poster, web site, or book without any other elements

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 3 PRODUCTS

Computer graphics are graphics created by computers and, more generally, the representation
and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer.

The term computer graphics includes almost everything on computers that is not text or
sound. Today nearly all computers use some graphics and users expect to control their
computer through icons and pictures rather than just by typing. The term Computer Graphics
has several meanings:

. the representation and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer

. the various technologies used to create and manipulate such pictorial data
. the images so produced, and the sub-field of computer science which studies methods for
digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content.

There are two types of computer graphics: raster graphics, where each pixel is
separately defined (as in a digital photograph), and vector graphics, where
mathematical formulas are used to draw lines and shapes, which are then interpreted at the
viewer's end to produce the graphic. Using vectors results in infinitely sharp
graphics and often smaller files, but, when complex, vectors take time to render and may
have larger file sizes than a raster equivalent.

Today computers and computer-generated images touch many aspects of our daily
life. Computer imagery is found on television, in newspapers, in weather reports, and during
surgical procedures. A well-constructed graph can present complex statistics in a form that is
easier to understand and interpret. Such graphs are used to illustrate
papers, reports, theses, and other presentation material. A range of tools and facilities are
available to enable users to visualize their data, and computer graphics are used in many
disciplines.

Modern computer systems, dating from the 1980s and onwards, often use a graphical user
interface (GUI) to present data and information with symbols, icons and pictures, rather than
text. Graphics are one of the five key elements of multimedia technology.

Types of Computer Graphics

1. 2D computer graphics

These are the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-

dimensional models, such as 2D geometric models, text, and digital images, and by
techniques specific to them. The word may stand for the branch of computer science that
comprises such techniques, or for the models themselves.

2D computer graphics are mainly used in applications that were originally developed upon
traditional printing and drawing technologies, such as typography, cartography, technical
drawing, advertising, etc.. In those applications, the two-dimensional image is not just a
representation of a real-world object, but an independent artifact with
added semantic value; two-dimensional models are therefore preferred, because they give
more direct control of the image than 3D computer graphics, whose approach is more akin to
photography than to typography.

Pixel art

Pixel art is a form of digital art, created through the use of raster graphics software,
where images are edited on the pixel level. Graphics in most old (or relatively limited)

computer and video games, graphing calculator games, and many mobile phone games are
mostly pixel art.
Vector graphics

Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the

representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the
representation of photographic images. There are instances when working with vector tools
and formats is best practice and instances when working with raster tools and
formats is best practice. There are times when both formats come together. An
understanding of the advantages and limitations of each technology and the
relationship between them is most likely to result in efficient and effective use of tools.

2. 3D computer graphics

3D computer graphics in contrast to 2D computer graphics are graphics that use a

three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the
purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. Such images may be for later
display or for real-time viewing.

Despite these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D
computer vector graphics in the wire frame model and 2D computer raster
graphics in the final rendered display. In computer graphics software, the distinction between
2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques
to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.

3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. Apart from the rendered
graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are
differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object
(either inanimate or living). A model is not technically a graphic until it is
visually displayed. Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space. A model
can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering,
or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations.

3. Computer animation
Computer animation is the art of creating moving images via the use of computers. It is a
subfield of computer graphics and animation. Increasingly it is created by means of 3D
computer graphics, though 2D computer graphics are still widely used for
stylistic, low bandwidth, and faster real-time rendering needs. Sometimes the target of the
animation is the computer itself, but sometimes the target is another medium, such as film. It
is also referred to as CGI (Computer-generated imagery or computer-
generated imaging), especially when used in films.

To create the illusion of movement, an image is displayed on the computer screen

then quickly replaced by a new image that is similar to the previous image, but shifted
slightly. This technique is identical to the illusion of movement in television and motion
pictures.

Computer Graphics Concepts and Principles

1. Image

In common usage, an image or picture is an artifact, usually two-dimensional, that h

photographs, drawings, charts, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric
designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images.as a similar appearance to some subject
—usually a physical object or a person. Images
may be two-dimensional, such as a photograph, screen display, and as well as a three-
dimensional, such as a statue. They may be captured by optical devices—such as cameras,
mirrors, lenses, telescopes, microscopes, etc. and natural objects and
phenomena, such as the human eye or water surfaces.

A digital image is a representation of a two-dimensional image using ones and zeros (binary).
Depending on whether or not the image resolution is fixed, it may be of
vector or raster type. Without qualifications, the term "digital image" usually refers to raster
images.
2. Pixel

In the enlarged portion of the image individual pixels are rendered as squares and can be
easily seen.

In digital imaging, a pixel is the smallest piece of information in an image. Pixels are
normally arranged in a regular 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using
dots or squares. Each pixel is a sample of an original image, where more samples
typically provide a more accurate representation of the original. The intensity of each pixel is
variable; in color systems, each pixel has typically three or four components such as red,
green, and blue, or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

3. Rendering

Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model, by means of computer

programs. The model is a description of three dimensional objects in a strictly defined
language or data structure. It would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting,
and shading information. The image is a digital image or raster graphics image. The term
may be by analogy with an "artist's rendering" of a scene. 'Rendering' is also
used to describe the process of calculating effects in a video editing file to produce final
video output.

4. 3D projection

3D projection is a method of mapping three dimensional points to a two dimensional plane.

As most current methods for displaying graphical data are based on planar two dimensional
media, the use of this type of projection is widespread, especially in
computer graphics, engineering and drafting.

5. Ray tracing

Ray tracing is a technique for generating an image by tracing the path of light through pixels
in an image plane. The technique is capable of producing a very high degree of photorealism;
usually higher than that of typical scanline rendering methods, but at a greater
computational cost.

6. Shading

Shading refers to depicting depth in 3D models or illustrations by varying levels of

darkness. It is a process used in drawing for depicting levels of darkness on paper by
applying media more densely or with a darker shade for darker areas, and less densely or with
a lighter shade for lighter areas. There are various techniques of shading
including cross hatching where perpendicular lines of varying closeness are drawn in a grid
pattern to shade an area. The closer the lines are together, the darker the area
appears. Likewise, the farther apart the lines are, the lighter the area appears. The term has
been recently generalized to mean that shaders are applied.

Example of shading.

7. Texture mapping

Texture mapping is a method for adding detail, surface texture, or colour to a

computer-generated graphic or 3D model. Its application to 3D graphics was
pioneered by Dr Edwin Catmull in 1974. A texture map is applied (mapped) to the surface of
a shape, or polygon. This process is akin to applying patterned paper to a plain white box.
Multitexturing is the use of more than one texture at a time on a
polygon.

8. Volume rendering
Volume rendering is a technique used to display a 2D projection of a 3D discretely sampled
data set. A typical 3D data set is a group of 2D slice images acquired by a CT or MRI
scanner.

Volume rendered CT scan of a forearm with different colour schemes for muscle, fat, bone,
and blood.

Usually these are acquired in a regular pattern (e.g., one slice every millimeter) and
usually have a regular number of image pixels in a regular pattern. This is an example of a
regular volumetric grid, with each volume element, or voxel represented by a single value
that is obtained by sampling the immediate area surrounding the voxel.

Applications Areas of Computer Graphics

Some application areas of computer graphics are the following

. Computational biology
. Computational physics
. Computer-aided design
. Computer simulation
. Digital art
. Desktop publishing
. Education
. Graphic design
. Infographics
. Information visualization
. Scientific visualization
. Video Games
. Virtual reality
. Web design

In this course, we shall discuss briefly two application areas, namely, computer-aided design
and desktop publishing.