Introduction to Computer Graphics

1 Introduction to Computer GraphicsCourse Notes for SIGGRAPH 99 Course OrganizerMichael BaileyUniversity of California at San Diego, andSan Diego Supercomputer CenterCourse SpeakersAndrew GlassnerMicrosoft ResearchOlin LathropCognivision, Graphics is an exciting field of endeavor, but it is often difficult for anewcomer to get started. This course is that opportunity. The topics beingpresented will address many areas within Computer Graphics and treat each from thepoint of view of why-do-I-care and how-to. Those who take this course willemerge well-prepared to take on further study, including the taking of otherSIGGRAPH courses. Attendees will also be ready to take on the vendor show andbetter appreciate the Electronic Theatre. We hope you enjoy reading and usingthese notes as much as we enjoyed preparing you have specific comments about how we can improve the course or the notes,please send them to me at: Mike BaileyTake them, use them, bring them to the them, lose them, sing them to your of tides, piles of of slides that no-one of knowledge, slides of power slides that last a half an slides.

2 Blue slides. Old-hat and what's-new a slide and project it it far and make it tall, a slide's a slide that's seen by slides go into holders, printed pages go into teach. We teach in courses. We teach whatever the market want pixels? You want rays?We'll lead you through the Graphics maze. Andrew GlassnerSIGGRAPH 99 Introduction to Computer GraphicsAbout the SpeakersMichael J. BaileyMike Bailey is a researcher at the San Diego Supercomputer Center and a faculty member inApplied Mechanics / Engineering Sciences and Computer Science at the University ofCalifornia at San Diego. Mike received his from Purdue University. He has alsoworked at Sandia National Laboratories, Purdue University, Megatek, SDSC, and s areas of interest include scientific visualization, Computer aided design, and solidfreeform fabrication.

3 He has authored numerous papers on the use of Computer Graphics inengineering and science. Mike founded the interdiscpinary Design Visualization Lab atSDSC/UCSD, which includes the TeleManufacturing Facility which applies solid freeformfabrication methods to visualization problems. Mike has served on the SIGGRAPHE xecutive Committee and was SIGGRAPH conference co-chair in 1991. Mike has alsoserved as SIGGRAPH Courses Chair in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and S. GlassnerDr. Andrew Glassner is a Researcher at Microsoft Research, where he creates new computergraphics and new media. He has worked at the NYIT Computer Graphics Lab, CaseWestern Reserve University, the IBM TJ Watson Research Lab, the Delft University ofTechnology, Bell Communications Research, Xerox PARC, and Microsoft Research.

4 Hehas published numerous technical papers on topics ranging from digital sound to newrendering techniques. His book 3D Computer Graphics : A Handbook for Artists andDesigners has taught a generation of artists. Glassner created and edited the Graphics Gemsbook series and the book An Introduction to Ray Tracing. His most recent text isPrinciples of Digital Image Synthesis, a two-volume treatise on rendering theory andpractice published by Morgan-Kaufmann. Andrew served Siggraph '94 as Chair of thePapers Committee, and creator of the Sketches venue. He has also served as FoundingEditor of the Journal of Graphics Tools, and Editor-in-Chief of ACM Transactions onGraphics. He directed the short animated film "Chicken Crossing" which premiered at theSiggraph '96 Electronic Theatre, and designed the highly participatory game "Dead Air" forThe Microsoft Network.

5 He has designed logos for electronics firms, publishers, andindividuals. In his free time Andrew plays jazz piano, draws, and writes fiction. He holds aPhD in Computer Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel LathropOlin Lathrop works for Cognivision, Inc., where he does consulting and custom softwaredevelopment for Computer Graphics . Olin holds a Master of Engineering in ElectricalEngineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Olin has also worked at Hewlett-Packard, Raster Technologies, and Apollo Computer , where he specialized in graphicshardware design. Olin is the author of the introductory book The Way Computer 99 Introduction to Computer GraphicsMike Bailey (M)Andrew Glassner (A)Olin Lathrop (L)Course Schedule 8:30 - 9 of the CourseSome Graphics to look atOverview of the Graphics Process9:00 10:00 Modeling for Rendering and :00 10:15 Morning Break10:15 11 :15 12:00 Graphics display :00 1:30 Lunch 1:30 2 2:15 3:00 Geometry for Computer 3:00 3:15 Afternoon Break 3:15 3:30 Input 3:30 4:00 Graphics on the World Wide 4:00 4:30 Virtual 4:30 4:45 Finding additional 4:45 5:00 General Q& SIGGRAPH 99 Introduction to Computer GraphicsCourse Note Table of ContentsA.

6 IntroductionB . Overview of the Graphics ProcessC . An Introduction to ModelingD. 3D Object Glossary for Modeling and AnimationF .An Introduction to RenderingG . Graphics Display HardwareH . An Introduction to AnimationI . Computer Animation TechniquesJ .Geometry for Computer GraphicsK . Input on the World Wide WebM. Virtual RealityN . Finding Additional InformationO. Glossary of Computer Graphics TermsSAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringIntroduction to Computer GraphicsMichael BaileyAndrew GlassnerOlin LathropUniversity of California at San Diego andSan Diego Supercomputer CenterMicrosoft ResearchCognivision, '99 SAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringMike BaileyPhD from Purdue UniversityHas worked at Sandia Labs, Purdue University, Megatek, San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the University of California at San DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringAndrew GlassnerPhD from the University of North Carolina - Chapel HillHas worked at IBM, Bell Communications, Delft University, NYIT, Xerox PARC.

7 And Microsoft DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringOlin LathropMaster of Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic UniversityHas worked at Hewlett-Packard, Raster Technologies, Apollo Computer , and DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringCourse Goals Provide a background for papers, panels, and other courses Help appreciate the Electronic Theater Get more from the vendor exhibits Give our take on where the future is Provide pointers for further studySAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringTopics Overview of the Graphics Process (Mike) Modeling (Andrew) Rendering (Andrew) Display Hardware (Olin)SAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringMore Topics Animation (Andrew) Geometry for Computer Graphics (Mike) Input Devices (Mike)SAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringAnd, Even More Topics !

8 Graphics on the Web (Mike) Virtual Reality (Olin) Finding Additional Information (Mike)SAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process: Summary3 DGeometricModels3 DAnimationDefinitionRenderingTextureInfo rmationImageStorage andDisplaySAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process:Geometric Modeling3 DGeometricModels3D ScanningInteractiveGeometricModelingMode lLibrariesRenderingDisplacementMappingSA N DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process: 3D Animation3 DAnimationDefinitionMotionDesignMotionCo mputationMotionCaptureRenderingDynamicDe formationsSAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process: TexturingTextureInformationScannedImages ComputedImagesPaintedImagesRenderingSAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process: Rendering3 DGeometricModels3 DAnimationDefinitionImageStorageandDispl ayRenderingTransformation,Clipping,Persp ectiveImageGenerationTextureInformationS AN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process.

9 Image Storage and DisplayHardwareFramebufferRenderingDiskF ileFilmRecorderVideoRecorderSAN DIEGO SUPERCOMPUTER CENTERA National Center for Computational Science & EngineeringThe Graphics Process: Summary3 DGeometricModels3 DAnimationDefinitionRenderingTextureInfo rmationImageStorage andDisplay11An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99An Introduction to ModelingAndrew GlassnerMicrosoft ResearchSiggraph 98 Why Create 3D Models?lImage SynthesislDesignlManufacturinglSimulatio nlArt22An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Models for Image SynthesislCamera Viewpoint for imagelLight Sources Radiate light Have size and shapelObjects Physical structuresModels for SimulationlPhysics An airplane winglMechanics Fit between parts Manufacturability33An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Model AttributeslStructure Geometry and TopologylAppearance Looks and surfacesLevels of DetaillVisual detail for imageslStructural detail for simulation44An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 PhotographTelephone handset cordDetail for Image SynthesislReal shapes are complex!

10 LMore detail = more realism Takes longer to model, longer torender, and occupies more diskspacelProcedural objects More detail when you want it55An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 PhotographObject in a room, in a far corner (lowdetail version) and close up (highdetail version)Detail for SimulationlCan affect accuracy of simulationlDifferent simulations requiredetail in different places66An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Levels of Detail for SimulationsDoes it fit in the box?Does it fit with the cover on?PhotographCloseup of a stapler where the staplefolds (high detail) and justchecking page clearance (lowdetail)77An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Types of ModelerslInteractivelScriptedlData CollectionlOthersPrimitives and InstanceslPlatonic ideal lShapes are instances of primitiveslEach instance may be different88An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Choosing a ModelRepresentationlCostlEffectivenesslC omplexitylEase of SimulationlEase of AnimationModel CostlDesigner s timelComputer StoragelRendering TimelSimulation TimelEase of Animation99An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Model EffectivenesslGeometry Looks AccuracylAppearance Looks AccuracyModel ComplexitylNumber of primitiveslNumber of shapeslComplexity of each instance1010An Introduction to Modeling / Siggraph 99 Model SimulationlIs shape matched to simulator?