Chapter 1
Introduction

1.1 Computer Graphics

Using the computer to create, manipulate, modify, and/or display images

USES

• Desktop publishing
• Presentation graphics -- bar/pie/xy charts, etc
• User interfaces -- point & click interaction, windowing systems

• Architecture -- construction plans, realistic renderings of buildings under varying lighting conditions

• Design and manufacturing -- CAD & CAM
• Simulation -- flight, ship, car
• Modeling -- to test designs without going to the expense of constructing models
• Reprocessing of images -- x-rays to reveal previously undetectable details.
• Art
• Scientific visualization -- black holes
• Entertainment -- TV commertials, special effects in movies

1.2 History

• 1940

  Plotters for hardcopy

• 1950

  Computer driven CRT for output (Whirlwind computer--MIT)

• 1955

  Command and control CRT display with lightpen (SAGE air-defense system)

• 1963

  Interactive system (Sutherland’s Sketchpad)

• 1966

  Line algorithm

• 1960’s

  Clipping

• 1967

  Hidden surface

• 1968

  Mouse (Engelbart)

• 1968

  Ray tracing

• 1973

  Raster screens

• 1975

  Ilumination models

• 1980

  Ray tracing with global illumination (Whitted)

• 1981

  Radiosity

• 1988

  Volume rendering

• 1980’s

  Virtual reality