Computer Graphics

Prepared By
Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Hamdard University Bangladesh

 Computer graphics

The definition of computer graphics is the

technology that deals with designs and
pictures on computers.

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 Goals of Computer Graphics

• Recognize how a visual image can be an effective means of communication

• Distinguish and interpret various types of typography.
• Utilize a broad range of type styles in combination with visual images.
• Use a computer to create and manipulate images and text for use in various
print and digital mediums.

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 Applications of Computer Graphics

o Computational biology
o Computational physics
o Computer-aided design
o Digital art
o Education
o Graphic design
o Information visualization
o Scientific visualization
o Special Effects for cinema
o Video Games
o Web design
o Design

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 Overview of Graphics Systems

• Images
• Hardware
– Input Systems
– Output Systems
• Software
– OpenGL

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 Two Dimensional Images
+Y
• Images (at least the
ones in this class)
are two
Y
dimensional Axis
shapes.
• The two axes we
will label as X
(horizontal), and Y
(0,0) X Axis +X
(vertical).

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 Three Dimensional Images

• The three axis: X

(horizontal), Y (vertical)
and Z (middle).

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 Color Model

RGB Color cube (what we use in

computer graphics)

Other color spaces include HSV, CMY, and YIQ

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 Hardware Pipeline

Input Computation Output

We want to draw a rectangle, how do we describe it to a computer?

Model (n) - object

description that a
computer understands.

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 Record every position

Bitmap - a rectangular array of bits mapped one-to-one with pixels.

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 Position relative

Vector display system - graphical output system that was based on strokes (as
opposed to pixels). Also known as: random, calligraphic, or stroke displays.

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 Representing Objects

• Most common method is the VERTEX method.

Define the object as a set of points with
connectivity information.
• Why is connectivity important?

Connectivity - information that defines which vertices

are connected to which other vertices via edges.
Edge - connects two vertices

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 Input Devices

• Locator Devices
• Keyboard
• Scanner
– Images
– Laser
• Cameras

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 Locator Devices
When queried, locator
devices return a position
and/or orientation.
• Tablet
• Joystick
• Virtual Reality Trackers
– Data Gloves
– Digitizers

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 Keyboard
• Text input
– List boxes, GUI
– CAD
– Modeling
• Hard coded
– Vertex locations are inserted into code

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 Computation Stage

Input Computation Output

• Now that we have a model of what we

want to draw, what goes on inside the
computer to generate the output?
Computation

Transformations Rasterization
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 Computation Stage
Computation

Model Output

Transformations Rasterization

Transformed
Model
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 Store process in memory

We would like to allocate memory to hold the

results of the computation stage.
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 Frame buffer

Frame buffer – The picture definition is

stored in a memory is called refresh or
frame buffer.

Pixel - one element of the framebuffer

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Basic architecture of raster graphics of
frame buffer

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 Frame buffer in Memory

• If we want a frame buffer of 640 pixels by 480

pixels, we should allocate:
Frame buffer = 640*480 bits
=307200 bits
=38400 bytes
=38.4 kilobytes

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 Output

Input Computation Output

• Hardcopy
• Display
– Vector or random scan
– Raster Scan

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 Image Quality Issues

• Screen resolution • Brightness

• Color • Contrast
• Blank space between the • Refresh rate
pixels • Sensitivity of display to
• Intentional image viewing angle
degradation

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 Pixels

Pixel - The pixel (a word invented from "picture element") is

the basic unit of programmable color on a computer display
or in a computer image.
 CRT - Color triad (RGB phosphor dots)
 LCD - Single color element
• Screen Resolution - measure of number of pixels on a
screen (m by n)
 m - Horizontal screen resolution
 n - Vertical screen resolution

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 Raster Displays
• Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs),
most “tube” monitors. Very
common, but big.

• Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs),

there are two types
transmissive (laptops, new flat
panel monitors) and reflective
(wrist watches).

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Cathode Ray Tube

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 CRT color monitor

1. Beam Penetration Method (Red & Green)

2. Shadow Mask Method (RGB)

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 CRTs

• Strong electrical fields and high voltage

• Very good resolution
• Heavy, not flat

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 Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
• Also divided into pixels, but without an electron gun firing
at a screen, LCDs have cells that either allow light to flow
through, or block it.

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 Advantages of LCDs

• Flat
• Lightweight
• Low power consumption

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 Projection Displays

• Use bright CRT or LCD

screens to generate an
image which is sent through
an optical system to focus
on a (usually) large screen.

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 Basic Projector Designs

Reflective Projection System Transmittive Projection

System

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 Graphics Software

• Special purpose software

– Excel
– AutoCAD
– Medical Visualization
• Programming API

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 Computer animation

Computer animation is a general term for a kind of visual

digital display technology that simulates moving objects
on-screen.

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 Displaying animation sequences

• Movies work by fooling our eyes

• A sequence of static images presented in a quick

succession appears as continuous flow

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 Displaying animation sequences

• To achieve smooth animation, a sequence of images

(frames) have to be presented on a screen with the speed
of at least 30 per second

• Animations frames can be

– pre-computed in advance and pre-loaded in memory
– computed in real time (e.g. movement of the cursor)

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