Richly illustrated, 3D Graphics: A Visual Approach presents a visual introduction to the exciting world of computer graphics and covers important rendering techniques including bump, texture, and environment mapping. Through a technique called Visual Analysis, a reader learns to identify graphics effects visually by looking for a few cues. Cues and concepts are presented in an easy-to-advanced order, with more complex cues building from simpler ones. After finishing the book, a person will have a good feel for the range and visual effect of rendering algorithms. Accompanying 3D Graphics: A Visual Approach is a CD containing the TERA software. TERA (Tool for Exploring Rendering Algorithms) provides visual examples illustrating chapter topics and helps reinforce key concepts in an enjoyable way. With over 500,000 available image combinations, TERA provides a far richer resource of visual examples than could be contained in any conventional text. Features * Supported by CD-ROM containing TERA (Tool for Exploring Rendered Algorithms) software which is capable of generating 500,000 images for study * Uses Visual Analysis to help students understand the rendered algorithms * "Doing It Yourself" sections provide a guide to learning POV-Ray, a ray tracing package freely available via the Internet. Beginning with simple shapes and lighting, these sections introduce successively more advanced techniques, including CSG and radiosity. * Serves well as a main text in a survey course in computer science or as a useful supplement in a programming or 3D design course

Preface Acknowledgments 1. Introduction Visual Literacy Advantages TERA A TERA Session Exercises: Getting Started Doing It Yourself: Geetting Started 2. Basics Fundamentals Hardware File Formats Rendering Concepts Further Reading Exercises Doing It Yourself: Image Quality and Camera Saving a File Image Quality Camera 3. Surface Algorithms Polygon Appearance Visibility Shadows, Reflection, Refraction Summary of Visual Cues Exercises: Surface Cues The Algorithms Wireframe Hidden-line z-Buffer Algorithms Raytracing Cues to the Algorithms Further Reading Exercises: Surface Algorithms Doing It Yourself: Shape, Size, Positioning 4. z-buffer Shading Visual Cues Transitions Highlight Shape Summary of Visual Cues Exercises: Char122-Buffer Shading Cues The Algorithms Phong Lighting Model Constant Shading Faceted Shading Gouraud Shading Phong Shading Cues to the Algorithms Further Reading Exercises: Char122-Buffer Shading Algorithms Doing It Yourself: Lights and Highlights 5. Shaders for Raytracing Visual Cues Exercises: Raytracing Shading Cues Raytracing Revisited Cues to the Algorithms Further Reading Exercises: Raytracing Shading Algorithms Doing It Yourself: Reflection and Refraction 6. Texture Mapping Visual Cues Two-Dimensional Texture Mapping Algorithms for 2D Texture Mapping Exercises: 2D Texture Mapping More on 2D Texture Mapping Problems with 2D Mapping 3D Texture Maps Noise Conclusions Further Reading Exercises: 3D Texture Mapping Doing It Yourself: Textures Galore! 7. Bump Mapping Visual Cues How It's Done Conclusions Further Reading Exercises: Bump Mapping Doing It Yourself: Bumps 8. Lighting Light Types Color Visual Cues Exercises: Simple Lighting Toward Greater Realism Visual Cues The Radiosity Algorithm Summary Further Reading Exercises: Radiosity Doing It Yourself: Lighting 9. Foolers Shadows Transparency Environment Mapping Conclusions Further Reading Exercises: Foolers Doing It Yourself: Constructive Solid Geometry 10. Cost and Effect Scene Composition Resolution and Antialiasing Lighting Computer Speed Surface Algorithm Char122-Buffer Shaders Shaders for Raytracing Rendering Speed Animation Conclusion Exercises: Review Doing It Yourself: Have Fun! Sced Breeze Designer Rhino Appendices A. Visual Cues B. Visual Identification C. Answers to Selected Exercises D. Installing TERA Windows 95 and Windows 98 Windows NT Macintosh Power PC Windows 3.1 Irix, Sun, Linux Bibliography Index

R. J. WolfeAsoociate Professor of Computer Science, DePaul University

"A perfect book for computer art classes. TERA is an excellent software for understanding different computer graphics effects."--Meyer Rozengauz, Stevens Institute of Technology