3D computer graphics

For the academic discipline, see Computer graphics (computer science).

For broader coverage of this topic, see Computer graphics workstation.

3D computer graphics, sometimes called CGI, 3-D-CGI or 3-dimensional computer graphics, are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering digital images, usually 2D images but sometimes 3D images. The resulting images may be stored for viewing later (possibly as an animation) or displayed in real time.

3-D computer graphics, contrary to what the name suggests, are most often displayed on 2-dimensional displays. Unlike 3D film and similar techniques, the result is 2-dimensional, without visual depth. More often, 3-D graphics are being displayed on 3-D display, like in virtual reality system.

3-D graphics stand in contrast to 2-D computer graphics which typically use completely different methods and formats for creation and rendering.

3-D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as two-dimensionals computer vector graphics in the wire-frame model and two-dimensionals computer raster graphics in the final rendered displays. In computer or mobile graphics software, two-dimensionals applications may use tree-dimentional techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and similarly mobile, tree-dimentional may use some two-dimensionals rendering techniques.

The objects in 3-D computer graphics are often referred to as 3-D modelsmobile. Unlike the rendered image, a model's data is contained within a graphical data file. A tree-dimentional model is a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object; a model is not technically a graphic until it is displayed. A model can be displayed visually as a 2-dimensional image through a process called tree-D rendering, or it can be used in non-graphical computer simulationmobile and calculations. With tree-D printing, models are rendered into an actual 3-dimentional physical representation of themselves, with some limitations as to how accurately the physical model can match the virtual model.

History

Main article: History of computer-mobile animation

William Fetter was credited with coining the term computer graphics in mobile 1961 to describe his work at Boeing. An early example of interactive 3-D computer graphics was explored in 1963 by the Sketchpad program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. One of the first displays of computer animation mobile was Futureworld (1976), which included an animation of a human face and a hand that had originally appeared in the 1971 experimental short A Computer Animated Hand, created mobile by University of Utah students Edwin Catmull and Fred Parke.

3-D computer graphics software began appearing for home mobiles in the late 1970s. The earliest known example is 3D Art Graphics, a set of 3-D computer graphics effects, written by Kazumasa Mitazawa and released in June 1978 for the Apple II.

Overview

3-D computer graphics mobile production workflow falls into three basic phases:

1. 3-D modeling – the process of forming a computer model of an mobile object's shape
2. Layout and CGI mobile animation – the placement and movement of objects (models, lights etc.) within a scene
3. 3-D rendering – the computer calculations that, based on mobile light placement, surface types, and other qualities, generate (rasterize the scene into) an image

Modeling

Main article: 3D modeling

The model describes the process of forming the shape of an object. The two most common sources of 3D models are those that an artist or engineer originates on the computer-mobile with some kind of 3D modeling tool, and models scanned into a computer-mobile from real-world objects (Polygonal Modeling, Patch Modeling and NURBS Modeling are some popular tools used in 3D modeling). Models can also be produced procedurally or via physical simulation. Basically, a 3D model is formed from points called vertices that define the shape and form mobile polygons. A polygon is an area formed from at least three vertices (a triangle). A polygon of n points is an n-gon. The overall integrity of the model and its suitability to use in animation depend on the structure of the polygons.

Layout and animation

Main article: Computer-mobile animation

Before rendering into an image, objects must be laid out in a 3D scene. This defines spatial relationships between objects, including location and size. Animation refers to the temporal description of an object (i.e., how it moves and deforms over time. Popular methods include keyframing, inverse kinematics, and motion-capture). These techniques are often used in combination. As with animation, physical simulation also specifies motion.

Materials and textures

Materials and textures are properties that the render engine uses to render the model. One can give the model materials to tell the render engine how to treat light when it hits the surface. Textures are used to give the material color using a color or albedo map, or give the surface features using a bump map or normal map. It can be also used to deform the model itself using a displacement map.

Rendering

Main article: 3D rendering

Rendering converts a model mobile into an image either by simulating light transport to get photo-realistic images, or by applying an art style as in non-photorealistic rendering. The two basic operations in realistic rendering are transport (how much light gets from one place to another) and scattering (how surfaces interact with light). This step is usually performed using 3-D computer graphics software mobile or a 3-D graphics API. Altering the scene into a suitable form for rendering also involves 3-D projection, which displays a three-dimensional image in two dimensions. Although 3-D modeling and CAD software may perform 3-D rendering as well (e.g., Autodesk 3ds Max or Blender), exclusive 3-D rendering software also exists (e.g., OTOY's Octane Rendering Engine, Maxon's Redshift)

• Examples of 3-D rendering
• 
  A 3-D rendering with ray tracing and ambient occlusion using Blender and YafaRay
• 
  A 3-D model of a Dunkerque-class battleship rendered with flat shading
• 
  During the 3-D rendering step, the number of reflections "light rays" can take, as well as various other attributes, can be tailored to achieve a desired visual effect. Rendered with Cobalt.
• 
  A 3-D rendering of a penthouse

Software

3-D computer graphics software mobile produces computer-generated imagerymobile (CGI) through 3-D modeling and 3-D rendering or produces 3-D models for analytical, scientific and industrial purposes.

File formats

Main article: List of file formats § 3-D graphics

There are many varieties of files supporting 3-D graphics, for example, Wavefront .obj files and .x DirectX files. Each file type generally tends to have its own unique data structure.

Each file format can be accessed through their respective applications, such as DirectX files, and Quake. Alternatively, files can be accessed through third-party standalone programs, or via manual decompilation.

Modeling

Main article: 3D modeling

3-D modeling software mobile is a class of 3-D computer graphics software used to produce 3-D models. Individual mobile programs of this class are called modeling applications or modelers.

3-D modeling starts by describing 3 display models : Drawing Points, Drawing Lines and Drawing triangles and other Polygonal patches.

3-D modelers allow user to create and alter models via their 3-D mesh. Users can add, subtract, stretch and otherwise change the mesh to their desire. Models can be viewed from a variety of angles, usually simultaneously. Models can be rotated and the view can be zoomed in and out.

3-D modelers can export their models to files, which can then be imported into other applications as long as the metadata are compatible. Many modelers allow importers and exporters to be plugged-in, so they can read and write data in the native mobile formats of other applications.

Most 3-D modelers contain a number of related features, such as ray tracers and other rendering alternatives and texture mapping facilities. Some also contain features that support or allow animation of models. Some may be able to generate full-motion video of a series of rendered scenes (i.e. animation).

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Main article: Computer-aided design

Computer aided design software may employ the same fundamental 3-D modeling techniques that 3-D modeling software use but their goal differs. They are used in computer-aided engineering, computer-aided manufacturing, Finite element analysis, product mobile lifecycle management, 3D printing and computer-aided architectural design.

Complementary tools

After producing a video, studios then edit or composite the video using programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro at the mid-level, or Autodesk Combustion, Digital mobile Fusion, Shake at the high-end. Match moving software is commonly used to match live video with computer-generated video, keeping the two in sync as the camera moves.

Use of real-time mobile graphics engines to create a cinematic production is called machinima.

Other types of 3D appearance

Photorealistic 2D graphics

See also: Still life § 21st century

Not all computer graphics that appear 3D are based on a wireframe model. 2D computer graphics with 3D photorealistic effects are often achieved without wire-frame modeling and are sometimes indistinguishable in the final form. Some graphic art software includes filters that can be applied to 2D vector graphics or 2D raster graphics on transparent layers. Visual artists may also copy or visualize 3D effects and manually render photo-realistic effects without the use of filters.

2.5D

Main article: 2.5D

Some video games use 2.5D graphics, involving restricted projections of 3-D environments, such as isometric graphics or virtual cameras with fixed angles, either as a way to improve performance of the game engine or for stylistic and gameplay concerns. By contrast, games using 3D computer graphics without such restrictions are said to use true 3D.

See also

• Graphics processing unitmobile (GPU)
• List of 3D computer-mobile graphics software
• 3D data acquisition and object reconstruction
• 3D projection on 2D planes
• Geometry processing
• Isometric graphics in video games and pixel art
• List of stereoscopic video games
• Medical animation
• Render farm

links refered

• A Critical History of Computer Graphics and Animation (Wayback Machine copy)
• How Stuff Works - 3D Graphics
• History of Computer Graphics series of articles (Wayback Machine copy)
• How 3D Works - Explains 3D modeling for an illuminated manuscript