UNIT 1

BASIC OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS

 Outline
• Basic of Computer Graphics
• Applications of Computer Graphics
• Graphics Pipeline
• Display Devices
• Random and Raster Scan System
• Graphics Software and Standards
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
 Basic Computer Graphics
• What is computer graphics?

• The computer graphics is one of the most effective and

commonly used way to transform information in form of
graphics object such as pictures, charts, graphs and
diagram instead of simple text.

• Computer graphics is a process of generating,

manipulating, storing and displaying graphics object.
Ex: Such as pictures, charts, graphs, diagrams.
 Basic Computer Graphics
• Thus we can say that computer graphics makes it
possible to express data in pictorial form.

• In computer graphics objects are presented as a

collection of discrete picture elements.

• Picture Element = Pixel = Pel

• The pixel is the smallest screen elements.

 Basic Computer Graphics
• Graphics should be generated by controlling the pixel.

• The control is achieved by setting the intensity and colour of the

pixel which compose screen.

• The process of determining the appropriate pixels for

representing picture or graphics object is known as
“rasterization”.

• The process of representing continuous picture or graphics object

as a collection of discrete pixels is called “scan conversion”.
 Basic Computer Graphics
• The term resolution refers to the total number of count of
pixels in an digital image.

• For example if an image has M rows and N columns then its

resolution can be defined as M*N.

• Aspect ratio of the image is the ratio of the number of X

pixels to the number of Y pixels. The Standard aspect ratio
for PCs is 4:3.
 Basic Computer Graphics
 Advantages of computer graphics :

1. High quality graphics displays on PC

2. It provides tools for producing pictures

3. Produce animation using static image with computer graphics

4. Produce 1-D image in 2-D or 3-D using different simulators.

5. Using motion dynamics tool, user can make object stationary and the viewer
moving around them.

6. Using update dynamics, it is possible to change the shape, colour or other

properties of object.
 Applications of Computer Graphics
• User Interface
• Plotting of Graphics & Chart
• Office Automation and desktop Publishing
• Computer-aided Drafting and Design
• Simulation and Animation
• Art and Commerce
• Process control
• Cartography
• Education and training
• Image processing
Graphical User Interface
Plotting Graphics and Chart
Entertainment
Auto CAD
Computer Art
Image Processing
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• In computer graphics, a computer graphics
pipeline, rendering pipeline or simply graphics
pipeline, is a conceptual model that describes what steps a
graphics system needs to perform to render a 3D scene to
a 2D screen.
• Once a 3D model has been created, for instance in a video
game or any other 3D computer animation, the graphics
pipeline is the process of turning that 3D model into what
the computer displays.
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• A graphics pipeline can be divided into three
main parts: Application, Geometry and
Rasterization.
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• Application
The application step is executed by the software on the
main processor (CPU). In the application step, changes
are made to the scene as required, for example, by user
interaction by means of input devices or during an
animation.
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• Geometry

The geometry step (with Geometry pipeline), which is

responsible for the majority of the operations
with polygons and their vertices (with Vertex pipeline),
can be divided into the following five tasks. It depends
on the particular implementation of how these tasks are
organized as actual parallel pipeline steps.
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• Geometry
 Object to Camera Coordinate transformation
 Projection and lighting
 Clipping
 Window to Viewport Transformation
 Basic Graphics Pipeline
• Rasterisation
The rasterisation step is the final step before the
fragment shader pipeline that all primitives
are rasterized with.
In the rasterization, an image described in a vector
graphics format(shapes) is converted into a raster image
(pixels or dots) for output on a video display or printer,
or for storage in a bitmap file format
 Display Devices

• Display devices also known as output devices.

• The most commonly used output devices in a graphics

system is a video monitor.
 Display Devices

• Types of display devices:

– CRT
– Radom Scan
– Raster Scan
– Flat Panel Display
– Plasma Panel Display
– LCD
– LED
– Touch Screens
 CRT

• CRT
– A CRT is an evacuated glass tube.

– An electron gun at the rear of the tube produces a beam of

electron which is directed towards the front of the tube (screen)
by a high voltage.

– The inner side of the screen is coated with phosphor substance

which gives off light when it is stroked by electron.

– The control grid voltage determines the velocity achieved by

the electrons before they hit the phosphor.
Cathode Ray Tube
 CRT
• CRT
– The control grid voltage determines how many electrons are
actually in the electron beam.

– Thus, control grid controls the intensity of spot where the

electron beam is strike the screen.

– The focusing system concentrates the electron beam so that

the beam converges to a small point when it hits the phosphor
coating.
 CRT
• CRT
– The deflection system of the CRT consists of two pairs of
parallel plates, referred to as the vertical and horizontal
deflection plates.

– The voltage applied to vertical deflection of the electron beam

and voltage applied to the horizontal deflection plates controls
the horizontal deflection of the electron beam.

– There are two techniques used for producing images on the

CRT screen : Random Scan (Vector scan) and Raster Scan.
 Raster Scan System
Raster Scan System
• Hardware architecture of raster scan system is shown in figure.

• In addition to the general purpose CPU, a special-purpose

processor, called the video controller or display controller, is
used to control the operation of display device.
 Raster Scan System
Raster Scan System
• In Raster Scan display a Special area of Memory is
dedicated to graphics only. This area is called frame
buffer.

• Frame buffer can be anywhere in the system memory.

• Video controller reads the command from frame buffer

and draw pixel accordingly.
Raster Scan System

Raster Scan CRT

 Raster Scan System
Types of Scanning or travelling of beam in Raster Scan
• Interlaced Scanning
• Non-Interlaced Scanning
In Interlaced scanning, each horizontal line of the screen is traced
from top to bottom. Due to which fading of display of object may
occur. This problem can be solved by Non-Interlaced scanning. In
this first of all odd numbered lines are traced or visited by an
electron beam, then in the next circle, even number of lines are
located.
For non-interlaced display refresh rate of 30 frames per second
used. But it gives flickers. For interlaced display refresh rate of 60
frames per second is used.
 Raster Scan System
Advantages:
• Realistic image
• Million Different colors to be generated
• Shadow Scenes are possible.

Disadvantages:
• Low Resolution
• Expensive
 Random Scan System
Random Scan System
• Hardware architecture of random scan system is shown in figure.
• Application program resides in system memory.
 Random Scan System
Random Scan System
• Application program resides in system memory.

• Graphics packages translates the graphics commands in the

application program into a display file.

• Display file also stored in system memory.

• Display processor accesses the content of display file and display

on monitor screen.

• Display processor retrieves one by one command from display file

and draws it on screen.
 Random Scan System
Random Scan System
• Display processor in a random scan system is also called
graphics controller.

• In random scan devices renders the scene using short line.

• Electron beam track the line position directly, rather than going
through each and every pixel on screen.

• Entire scene is defined using segment of line in application

program.
 Random Scan System
Random Scan System
• Line segments are defined by pair of end points.

• A scene is then drawn one line at a time by positioning the beam

to fill in the line between specified endpoints.
 Random Scan System
Advantages:
• A CRT has the electron beam directed only to the parts of the
screen where an image is to be drawn.
• Produce smooth line drawings.
• High Resolution

Disadvantages:
• Random-Scan monitors cannot display realistic shades scenes.
Differentiate Random Scan & Raster Scan
System
No. Raster Scan System Random scan System
Electron beam scans entire Electron beam scans only the part of
1 screen to draw a picture screen where picture information is
present.
2 It has low resolution. It has high resolution in compare to
raster scan.
Picture definition is stored as Picture definition is stored as line
3 set of discrete intensity drawing commands in display list.
values in frame buffer.
4 Intensity value is sorted for System is designed to display lines, it
each pixel, it displayed can’t displayed realistic scene.
realistic scene.
5 Pixel location of screen is Mathematical function are used to
used to draw an image. draw an image.
Differentiate Random Scan & Raster Scan
System
No. Raster Scan System Random scan System
6 Cheaper than random scan. More costly.
7 Scan conversion is required. Scan conversion is not required.
8 Video controller is required. Video controller is not required.
9 Used to display dynamic Used to display static scene
scene.
10 Scan conversion hardware is Scan conversion hardware is not
required. required.
Refresh rate is independent When number of primitives are too
11 of number of objects in large, random scan device flickers.
scene.
 Flat Panel Display
• Flat Panel Display:
– The term flat panel display refers to a class of video devices
that have reduced volume, weight and power requirement in
compared to a CRT.

– The important feature of FPD is that they are thinner than

CRTs.

– There are two types of Flat panel display: Emissive display

and Non-emissive display.
 Flat Panel Display
• Emissive Display:
– They convert electrical energy into light energy. Plasma
panels, thin-film displays, and light emitting diodes are
example of emissive displays.

• Non-emissive Display:
– They use optical effect to convert sunlight or light from some
other source into graphics patterns. Liquid crystal display is an
example of non-emissive display.
 LED
• Light Emitting Diode Display:
– LED display is a flat panel display that uses an array of
light emitting diodes as pixels for a video display.

– LED panel consist of several LEDs, whereas an LED

display consist of several LED panels .

– A light emitting diode is made up of a semiconductor chip

which is surrounded by a transparent plastic case. the
plastic case allows the light to pass through it.
 LED
• Light Emitting Diode Display:
– The emission of different colours including ultraviolet and
infrared light depends on the semiconductor material which
is used in the diode.

– The most common types of LED displays are light bar,

seven segment and dot matrix.

– LED Displays are most commonly used in destination

signs on public transport as well as variable message signs
on highway.
 LED
• Advantages
– Slim design
– Brighter Image
– Better colour
– Flicker-free images
– Better picture quality
– Longer lifespan
– Lower power consumption
• Disadvantages
– More expensive
– Shift colour
– Contrast ratios are not consistent
 LCD
• Liquid Crystal Display:
– The term liquid crystal refers to the fact that these compounds
have a crystalline arrangement of molecules, yet they flow
like a liquid.

– Two glass plates, each containing a light polarizer at right

angles to the other plate sandwich the liquid-crystal material.

– Rows of horizontal transparent conductors are built into one

glass plate, and columns of vertical conductors are put into the
other plate.
 LCD

Liquid Crystal Display

 LCD
• Liquid Crystal Display:
– The intersection of two conductors defines a pixel position.

– In the ON state, polarized light passing through material is

twisted so that it will pass through the opposite polarizer.

– It is then reflected back to the viewer.

– To turn OFF the pixel, we apply a voltage to the two

intersecting conductors to align the molecules so that light is
not twisted.
 LCD
• Advantages
– Low cost
– Low weight
– Small size
– Low power consumption
 Plasma Panel Display
• Plasma Panel Display:
– Plasma panel display writes images on the display surface point
by point, each point remains bright.

– This makes the plasma panel functionally very similar to the

DVST.

– It consist of two plates of glass with thin, closely spaced gold

electrodes.

– The electrodes are attached to the inner faces and covered with a
dielectric material.
Plasma Panel Display

Plasma Panel Display

 Plasma Panel Display
• Plasma Panel Display:
– These are attached to as a vertical ribbons on one glass plate,
and a set of horizontal ribbons to the other glass plate.

– The space between two glass plates is filled with neon-based

gas and sealed. By applying voltage between the electrodes
the gas within the panel is made to behave as if it were divided
into tiny cells.

– Refreshing is not required in this display.

 Plasma Panel Display
• Advantages:
– Refreshing is not required.
– Produce very steady image.
– Light weight than CRT
– Allow selective writing and selective erasing.
– Flat screen and is transparent.
• Disadvantages:
– Poor resolution.
– Complex addressing and wiring
– Costly than CRTs.
 Touch Screen Display
– In most touch screen computers the sensors are used on the
screen’s surface to detect the touch of a finger.
– The applications of the touch screens
• Automated teller machines
• Public information kiosks
• Fast food restaurants
• Department stores
• Drugstores
• Supermarkets
• Lottery centres
– Touch input can be recorded using optical, electrical or
acoustical methods
 Touch Screen Display
– Optical touch screens use a line of infrared light emitting
diodes along one vertical edge and along one horizontal
edge of the screen.

– The opposite vertical and horizontal edges contain light

detectors. These detectors are used to record which beams
are interrupted when the panel is touched.

– The two crossing beams that are interrupted indicate the

horizontal and vertical co-ordinates of the screen positions
selected.
 Touch Screen Display
– In electrical touch screens, two transparent plates are used.
These plates are separated by a small distance.

– One plate is coated with conducting material and other

plate is coated with resistive material.
– When outer plate is touched, it is forced to contact with the
inner plate.

– This contact creates a voltage drop across the resistive

plate that is used to determine the co-ordinate values of the
selected screen position.
 Touch Screen Display
– Acoustic touch screens use high frequency sound waves in
horizontal and vertical directions across a glass plate.

– Touching the screen causes partial reflection of each wave

from finger to the emitter.

– The screen co-ordinates of point contact are then calculated

by measuring time between the transmission of each wave
and its reflection to the emitter.
 Graphics Software and Standards
• Graphics software is classified in two categories:
1. General Programming Packages
2. Special-purpose applications Packages

1. General Programming Package:

They are like a programming languages, they contain rich set
of graphics functions. Such graphics packages allow to draw
some primitives, fill the colors, set the intensity, apply
transformation etc. Open GL, Open CV is the examples of
such packages. They are more of programmer oriented.
Graphics Software and Standards
2. Special-purpose applications Package:
By contrast, application graphics packages are designed for
nonprogrammers, so users can create required graphics
without worrying about underlying concepts. The interface to
the graphics routines in such packages allow users to
communicate with the programs in their own terms. Examples
of such application packages are paint, CAD etc.
 Graphics Software and Standards
Graphics Standard
• The primary intension of standardization of graphics software is portability.

• The packages are designed with standard graphics functions so that they can
be used with different hardware systems and used in different
implementations and applications.

• The Graphical Kernal System (GKS) was developed to adopt the first
graphics software standard by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

• Another graphics standard developed and approved PHIGS (Programmers

Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System), which is an extension of GKS.
 Graphics Software and Standards
Graphics Standard
• It provides improved capabilities for object modelling, colour specifications,
surface rendering, and picture manipulations.

• Subsequently, an extension of PHIGS, called PHIGS+, was developed to

provide 3D surface-shading capabilities.

• PHIGS does not provide a standard methodology for a graphics interface to

output devices and does not specify methods for storing and transmitting
pictures.

• CGI (Computer Graphics Interface) system provides standards for device

interface methods and the CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile) system
specifies standards for archiving and transporting pictures.
Difference between Bitmap and Vector Graphics

Bitmap Graphics Vector Graphics

It is pixel based image It is Mathematical based image

Images are resolution dependent. Images are formula based /

dependent
These images are not easily scalable. Easily scalable with the help of
formula.

Poor quality of image as oppose to Better image quality as compare to

Vector based Graphics. Bitmap Graphics.

Size of image is high. Size of image is low.