3D modelling

the process of developing a mathematical, wireframe representation of any three-dimensional object via specialized software. The product is called a "3D model". It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D Printing devices. Models may be created automatically or manually. The manual modeling process of preparing geometric data for 3D computer graphics is similar to plastic arts such as sculpting.

[edit] Pioneers in graphic design

Charles Csuri

Charles Csuri is best known for pioneering the field of computer graphics, computer animation and digital fine art, creating the first computer art in 1964. Csuri has been recognized as the father of digital art and computer animation by Smithsonian, and as a leading pioneer of computer animation by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and The Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group Graphics (ACM-SIGGRAPH).

Donald P. Greenberg

Donald P. Greenberg is an internationally recognized pioneer in computer graphics, Greenberg has authored hundreds of articles and served as a teacher and mentor to many prominent computer graphic artists and animators. Five former students have won Academy Awards for Scientific or Technical Achievements, five have won the SIGGRAPH Achievement Award, and many now work for Pixar Animation Studios. Greenberg was the founding director of the National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Computer Graphics and Scientific Visualization when it was created in 1991. His former students include Robert L. Cook, Marc Levoy, and Wayne Lytle.

A. Michael Noll

Noll was one of the first researchers to use a digital computer to create artistic patterns and to formalize the use of random processes in the creation of visual arts. His initial digital computer art was programmed in the summer of 1962 at Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ, making him one of the earliest digital computer artists. In 1965 Noll along with two other pioneers within the field of early computer art, Frieder Nake and Georg Nees in Germany, were the first to exhibit publicly their computer art. During April 1965, the Howard Wise Gallery in New York City exhibited Noll's computer art along with random-dot patterns by Bela Julesz.

Other pioneers

• Daniel J. Sandin
• Alvy Ray Smith
• Ivan Sutherland
• Steve Russell

[edit] The study of computer graphics

[edit] Computer graphics

A modern render of the Utah teapot, an iconic model in 3D computer graphics created by Martin Newell in 1975.

The study of computer graphics is a sub-field of computer science which studies methods for digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content. Although the term often refers to three-dimensional computer graphics, it also encompasses two-dimensional graphics and image processing.

As an academic discipline, computer graphics studies the manipulation of visual and geometric information using computational techniques. It focuses on the mathematical and computational foundations of image generation and processing rather than purely aesthetic issues. Computer graphics is often differentiated from the field of visualization, although the two fields have many similarities.

[edit] Connected studies

Connected studies include:

• Scientific visualization
• Information visualization
• Computer vision
• Image processing
• Computational Geometry
• Computational Topology
• Applied mathematics

[edit] Applications

• Computational biology
• Computational physics
• Computer-aided design
• Computer simulation
• Digital art
• Education
• Entertainment
• Graphic design
• Infographics
• Information visualization
• Scientific visualization
• Virtual reality
• Web design

[edit] References

1. ^ What is Computer Graphics?, Cornell University Program of Computer Graphics. Last updated 04/15/98.
2. ^ ISS (2002). "What are computer graphics?". Last updated: 19 Feb 2002
3. ^ ^{a b c} Wayne Carlson (2003) A Critical History of Computer Graphics and Animation. The Ohio State University
4. ^ HISTORY OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS 1960-69.
5. ^ Ira Greenberg (2007). Processing: Creative Coding and Computational Art. Apress. ISBN 159059617X.
6. ^ Rudolf F. Graf (1999). Modern Dictionary of Electronics. Oxford: Newnes, 569. ISBN 0-7506-4331-5.
7. ^ Blythe, David. Advanced Graphics Programming Techniques Using OpenGL. Siggraph 1999. (see: Multitexture)

[edit] Further reading

• James D. Foley, Andries Van Dam, Steven K. Feiner and John F. Hughes (1995). Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice. Addison-Wesley
• Donald Hearn and M. Pauline Baker (1994). Computer Graphics. Prentice-Hall.
• Francis S. Hill (2001). Computer Graphics. Prentice Hall.
• John Lewell (1985). Computer Graphics: A Survey of Current Techniques and Applications. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
• Jeffrey J. McConnell (2006). Computer Graphics: Theory Into Practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
• R. D. Parslow, R. W. Prowse, Richard Elliot Green (1969). Computer Graphics: Techniques and Applications.
• Peter Shirley and others. (2005). Fundamentals of computer graphics. A.K. Peters, Ltd.
• M. Slater, A. Steed, Y. Chrysantho (2002). Computer graphics and virtual environments: from realism to real-time. Addison-Wesley