Chapter 9

Three-Dimensional
Concepts

Three Dimensional Graphics

It is the field of computer graphics
that deals with generating and
displaying three dimensional objects
in
a
two-dimensional
space(eg:
display screen)
In addition to color and brightness, a
3-D pixels adds a depth property that
indicates where the point lies on the
imaginary z-axis.

 When many 3-D pixels are combined,

each with its own depth value, the
result is a 3-D surface called a
texture.
Objects are created on a 3-D stage
where the current view is derived
from the camera and light sources,
similar to the real world.

Coordinate Reference
This coordinate reference defines the position
and orientation for the plane of the camera film.

Three-Dimensional
Coordinates
Right handed

Left handed

x
z

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods
Parallel projection

Project points on the object surface

along parallel lines onto the display

plane.
Parallel lines are still parallel after
projection.
Used in engineering and
architectural drawings.

 By selecting different viewing positions,

we can project visible points on the object

onto the display plane to obtain different
two-dimensional views of the object.

Top View

Side View

Front View

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods

Perspective projection
Project points to the display plane along

converging paths.
This is the way that our eyes and a camera
lens form images and so the displays are
more realistic.

 It has two major characteristics

Smaller as their distance from the
observer increases.
Foreshortened: the size of an objects
dimension along the line of sight are
relatively shorter than dimensions
across the line of sight.

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods
Depth cueing
Identify which is the front and which is the

back of displayed objects

For wireframe displays
Vary the intensity of objects according to
their distance from viewing position

For the atomsphere

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods

Depth Cueing
To easily identify the front and back of display objects.
Depth information can be included using various
methods.
A simple method to vary the intensity of objects
according to their distance from the viewing position.
Eg: lines closest to the viewing position are displayed
with the highest intensities and lines farther away are
displayed with decreasing intensities.

Application is modeling the effect of the atmosphere on the pixel

intensity of objects. More distant objects appear dimmer to us
than nearer objects due to light scattering by dust particles,
smoke etc.

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods

Visible line and surface identification

Highlight the visible lines or display them in different color
Display nonvisible lines as dashed lines
Remove the nonvisible lines

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods

Surface rendering
Set the surface

intensity of objects
according to
Lighting
conditions in the
scene
Assigned surface
characteristics

Lighting specifications include the intensity and positions of light

sources and the general background illumination required for a
scene.
Surface properties include degree of transparency and how rough
or smooth the surfaces are to be.

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods

Exploded and Cutaway Views

To maintain a hierarchical structures to include internal details.
These views show the internal structure and relationships of
the object parts

Three-Dimensional Display
Methods
Cutaway view
Remove part of the visible surfaces to
show internal structure.

Three-dimensional and
stereoscopic views