GAMES101-01：Overview of Computer Graphics

What is Computer Graphics

The use of computers to synthesize and manipulate visual information.

计算机图形学不等于openGL，openGL只是实现计算机图形学操作的API。

与Computer Vision的区别

一切涉及需要猜测的研究都属于计算机视觉的范畴，需要分析和理解。

参考资料：

• Computer Vision and Computer Graphics
• What is the difference between the fields of Computer Graphics and Computer Vision?

应用领域

Video Games

• 从技术角度来说，什么是好画面？
  • 画面是否足够亮——全局光照；

Movies

• 特效：special effects
• 特效是最简单的图形学应用，因为少见，或者缺乏直接的体验；
• 最难的是模拟真实的东西；

Animations

Design

• CAD: Computer-aided Design，宜家家居设计；

Visualization

Virtual Reality

经常与增强现实 Augmented Reality共同出现。

• 两者的区别
  • VR：看不到现实；
  • AR：看到现实东西，但是还有一些新东西加入；

Digital illustration

Simulation

Graphical User Interfaces

Typography

挑战

Fundamental intellectual challenges

1. Creates and interacts with realistic virtual world;
2. Requires understanding of all aspects of physical world;
3. New computing methods, displays, technologies;

Technical challenges

1. Math of (perspective) projections, curves, surfaces;
2. Physics of lighting and shading;
3. Representing / operating shapes in 3D;
4. Animation / simulation;
5. 3D graphics software programming and hardware;

主要研究内容

Rasterization

• Project geometry primitives (3D triangles / polygons) onto the screen;
• Break projected primitives into fragments (pixels);
• Gold standard in Video Games (Real-time Applications) 将3D形体显示在屏幕上，是所有游戏，即实时（每秒 30帧图片，30fps，否则叫离线）计算机图形学的主要应用。

Curves and Meshes

How to represent geometry in Computer Graphics.

Ray Tracing

• Shoot rays from the camera though each pixel
  • Calculate intersection and shading;
  • Continue to bounce the rays till they hit light sources;
• Gold standard in Animations / Movies (Offline Applications)

Animation / Simulation

• Key frame Animation
• Mass-spring System