An Introduction to Computer Graphics and Creative 3-D Environments

Preface.-Acknowledgements.-Setting the Scene.-Introduction.- The Nature of Computer Graphics.- The Evolution of Computer Graphics.- Vector and Bitmapped Graphics: Image Refresh.- Display Hardware.- Encoding the Third Dimension.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Investigations.- Feedback to Review Questions.- A Maths Primer.- Introduction.- Cartesian, Polar and Homogenous Coordinate Systems.-The Line.- Vectors in a 2D Space.- Matrices.- Concerning Curves.- Forming a Parabola Using Three Points: de Casteljau Algorithm.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- Images in a 2-D Space.- Introduction.- Some Basic Considerations.- Transformations Using 2 by 2 Matrices.- Combined Transformations Using 2 by 2 Matrices.- Homogenous Transformations in a 2D Space.- Concerning Graph Theory.- Clipping Points and Lines.- Clipping Polygons.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- Curves in a 2-D Space.- Introduction.- A Little Calculus.- Interpolation.- Bezier Curves.- Spline Functions and B-Splines.- Continuity.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.-Interfacing with the Visual System.- Introduction.- The Eye.- Cues to Depth.- An Overview of Various Pictorial Cues.- Oculomotor Depth Cues.- Binocular Cues .- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to review Questions.- Into the Third Dimension: Transformations.-Introduction.- Basic Transformations in 3-D.- The Vector Product.- Combing Transformations.- Perspective Revisited.- Frames of reference and the Virtual Camera.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- 3-D Graphics: Representation.- Introduction.- Polygonal Models.- The B-rep Approach.- A Little Maths: The Plane.- Polygonal Representation: Some General Remarks.- Surface Construction Using Bezier Patches.- Constructive Solid Geometry.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- 3-D Graphics: Mainly Rendering.-Introduction.- Unification: The World Coordinate System.- The Viewing Volume.- Culling, Clipping and the Perspective Projection.- Mapping to a Viewport.- Clipping for Opacity.- Shading and Colour.- Ray Casting and ray Tracing.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- Creative 3-D Display Systems.-Introduction.- Creative 3-D Display Systems: General Characteristics.- Stereoscopic Techniques.- Stereoscopic Systems: Supporting Motion Parallax.- Volumetric Display Techniques.- Varifocal Systems.- Holographic Systems.- Discussion.- Review Questions.- Feedback to Review Questions.- Interaction and Haptic Feedback.- Introduction.- Concerning Interaction.- Somatosensory Perception.- Traditional Interaction.- haptic Feedback.- Discussion.- Appendix A: Maths: Some Useful Results.- Appendix B: The Curvature of a Varifocal Mirror.- Appendix C: The Scalar Product.- Appendix D: Concerning the Plane.- Feedback to Selected OTU Exercises.- References.- Index