Institute of Technology

Department of Information
Technology
Course: Computer
Graphics
Target group: 5th year,
Sem:2
Chapter 1: Introduction to
Computer Graphics
Werabe
01/27/25
University,20241
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Computer Graphics -
What is Computer Graphics?
i). Computer Graphics name itself says that making Graphics (Visual
presentations of data) using computer, and displayed on the Output
device (monitor) of a computer.
ii). Using CG one can notice Group of Images (or) Image (or) videos on
Computer Monitor screens
iii). Using CG, we can create, Operate and Store various geometric objects
and its images
iv). As the name CG saying that all about drawings, movies, Photos and
more.
So entire CG is not associate with any “Text” or “Sound”
v).CG is the sub part of “Compute Science” which studies about
manipulating visual content, Synthesizing digitally.
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Contd…
Classification of Computer Graphics:
1) 2D Graphics:
2D Graphics “Two Dimensional” graphics which again classified in to
two parts. In this kind, we use only tools like lines, shapes it’s joining
to create object.
i) Vector Graphics:
These type of Graphics mainly use “Lines and Shapes” and text to
make images or even complex images.
ii) Raster Graphics:
These Graphics generally use “Pixels” to make images.
2) 3D Graphics
3D Graphics “Three Dimensional” graphics which has parameters
like Height, Length and Depth. As this consists of various
parameters, ultimate resulting image looks like objects.
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Contd…
Computer graphics is an art of drawing pictures, lines, charts, etc using
computers with the help of programming.

Computer graphics is made up of number of pixels.

Pixel is the smallest graphical picture or unit represented on the

computer screen.
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Contd…
1) Interactive Computer Graphics:

Interactive Computer Graphics involves a two way communication

between computer and user.

In interactive Computer Graphics, users can make some changes to

the produced image.

A User can see the produced image and make a change by sending
his command by using the input device.
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Contd…
2) Non-Interactive or Passive Computer Graphics:
In non-interactive or passive computer graphics, the picture is
produced on the computer screen, and the user does not have any
control over the image.
In simple wording, the user cannot make any change in an image.
Example: screen savers.
It is a one-way-communication between users and computers.
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A Brief History of CG
 The first computer graphics design system was developed
by Evan Sutherland as his PhD thesis at MIT in 1963.
 In the early days, if you wanted to create computer graphics you
had to write programs that directly talked to the graphics hardware.
 As new hardware designs were created, the software had to be
completely re-written to work with the new hardware.
 Throughout the 1970’s many “graphics libraries” were created to
solve this problem, but most of the libraries worked with individual
operating systems and could not be easily ported to new operating
systems or new hardware.
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GL and OpenGL
 The premiere computer graphics company in the late 1980’s and
throughout the 1990’s was Silicon Graphics, Inc.
 To this day, OpenGL remains the only real-time 3D graphics
standard to be portable across a variety of operating systems.
OpenGL-ES even runs on many types of cell phones.
 OpenGL is a hardware specification that requires fairly powerful
hardware to run.
 The software drivers for the API are very large and complex.

 As mobile, lower power devices starting appearing on the market, a

3D graphics solution was desired for these devices.
 Thus OpenGL ES (Embedded Subset) was created.
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WebGL
What is WebGL?
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a JavaScript API for rendering
interactive 3D computer graphics and 2D graphics within any
compatible web browser without the use of plug-ins.
WebGL is integrated completely into all the web standards of the
browser allowing GPU accelerated usage of physics and image
processing and effects as part of the web page canvas.
Making the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) accessible in a browser
became a reality with the creation of WebGL.
So, WebGL is the future of real-time 3D computer graphics.
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(cont…)

GL: Graphics language - a proprietary software system for creating 3D

computer graphics that was created by Silicon Graphics Inc. in the
1980’s
OpenGL: A device independent software system for creating 3D
computer graphics that was released to the public by Silicon Graphics
Inc. in 1992.
OpenGL ES: OpenGL embedded subset - a stripped down version of
OpenGL for cheaper, low-power hardware.
WebGL: A device independent software system for creating 3D
computer graphics in a web browser. It is an implementation of OpenGL
ES2.0 in JavaScript.
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commonly used graphics terminology

2D Graphics

Displayed representation of a scene or an object along two axes of

reference: height and width (x and y).
3D Graphics
Displayed representation of a scene or an object that appears to
have three axes of reference: height, width, and depth (x, y, and z).
Animation
A technique providing the illusion of movement using a sequence of
(rendered) still images.
Bitmap
A Bitmap is a pixel by pixel image.
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Contd…
 Graphics Controller / Graphics Processor / Graphics
Processing Unit (GPU)
A high-performance 2D or 3D processor that integrates the entire
graphics pipeline (transformation, lighting, setup, and
rendering). A GPU offloads all calculations from the CPU,
freeing the CPU for other functions such as physics and artificial
intelligence.
 Hidden Surface Removal
Also called visible surface determination, this entails displaying
only those surfaces visible to a viewer because objects are a
collection of surfaces or solids.
 Pixel
Short form for 'picture element'. A pixel is the smallest element of a
graphics display or the smallest element of a rendered image.
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Contd…
 Vertex
It is a point in 3D space with a particular
location, usually given in terms of its x, y, and z
coordinates.
It is one of the fundamental structures in
polygonal modeling: two vertices, taken
together, can be used to define the endpoints
of a line; three vertices can be used to define a
triangle.
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Common Uses of Computer Graphics

Some of CG uses include,

A).Computer program Development

B).Making movies

C).Video Games (Ex: Platformers, Role-playing games,

sidescrollers)

D).Catalogs designing

E).Creating Commercial Arts

F).Scientific Modelling (Ex: Weather Forecasts, Meteorological

data)
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A).Video Games:
These games requires human interaction with the User
Interface for making nice visual result on the Video Device
B).Education Field:
In the learning process, acquiring knowledge and skills
required for better career path CG is needed. So Computer
generated models in economic, financial and physical
systems are often used.
C).Computer Aided Design (CAD):
Most of engineering and Architecture students are concerned
with Design.
CAD is used to design various structures such as Computers,
Aircrafts, Building, in almost all kinds of Industries (where
designing is necessary).
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Contd…
D).Computer Arts:

If we are intelligent enough we can rock by making creative arts using

these Graphics tools. For making these arts we generally use CAD
packages, paint and Paint brush programs and in animation too

Computer Arts Examples include Logo design (for companies, college,

Industries, Institutions), Cartoon drawing, Product advertisements
and many.
E).Simulation:
Using CG graphics reproduction or duplicating already existing thing
will be done. For Instance, if we go for the Flight simulators, these
computer generated images are very much needed for training
pilots to understand easily (learning standard methods).
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Contd…
F).Entertainment:
When we talk about Entertainment, immediately movies and games get
in to picture.CG are mostly used in music videos, motion pictures,
cartoon animation films. For finding out tricks to be used in Games,
for its interactivity we often use CG.
G).Image Processing: (Medical)
In Medical field, concerning Image Processing CG is used to various
technologies to interpret already existing pictures and is useful to
modify Photographs and TV scans. Basically CG is used to improve
the picture quality, and visualizing effects. Some of its applications
include,
i).Tomography
ii).Ultrasonic medical scanners
iii).Picture enhancements
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Contd…

H).User Interfaces (Graphical User Interfaces)

CG is effectively used to make Menus, Icons (Graphical Symbols),to make

window manager(multiple windows).

And Some of the Graphic packages includes PHIGS, Graphics Kernel

System, Painting, drawing.

Thank you