Version 1.0, August 31, 2001, Copyright, Hugh Jack 1993-2001

12.1 INTRODUCTION

 

· After a geometric model is constructed, it must be displayed (rendered).

 

· Rendering is mainly limited by computer hardware, and the geometric model.

 

· The main methods for doing computer graphics are,

  1. - Wire Frame
  2. - Wire frame with hidden line removal
  3. - Polygon drawing (backface, and clipping)
  4. - Shaded polygons
  5. - Raytracing

 

· As the scene becomes more complicated, the computing time becomes longer, but the picture becomes more realistic.

 

· The basic history of research on geometric modeling can be summarized as,

  1. - 2D computer drafting - Mid 60s
  2. - 2.5 D - Late 60s
  3. - 3D Wire Frame Systems - Early 70s
  4. - 3D Surface Systems - Mid 70s
  5. - 3D Primitive Solids - Early to Mid 70s
  6. - 3D Arbitrary Solids - Mid to Late 70s