Computer Graphics

 Brief History of Computer Graphics

 3D Graphics Techniques and Terminology

 Common Uses of Computer Graphics

 Examples of application areas

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History of Computer Graphics
Computer Graphics (CG) was first developed as a visualization tool. Computer
graphics were basically introduced for scientists and engineers in government and
corporate research centers, i.e., Bell Labs and Boeing in the 1950s.
After then the tools would be developed at Universities in the 60s and 70s at places,
i.e., Ohio State University, MIT, University of Utah, Cornell, North Carolina, and the
New York Institute of Technology. The computer graphics are invented by researchers
Verne Hudson and William Fetter of Boeing. It is often brief as computer graphics.
The early development that took place in academic centres continued at research
centres such as the famous Xerox PARC in the 1970?s. These achievements broke first
into broadcast video graphics and then major motion pictures in the late 70?s and early
1980?s.
Computer graphic research continues still today around the world. Companies such
as Industrial Light and Magic by George Lucas are regularly refining the cutting edge
of computer graphic technology to present the world with a new manufactured digital
reality.

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We can understand it by the following steps:
1940-1941: The first directly digital computer-generated graphics that would
associate with today as being actual CG. The very first radiosity image was invented at
MIT in the 1940s.
1946: The images were first presented at the 1946 national technical conference of
the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
1948: The images were published in the book: Lighting Design by Moon and D. E.
Spencer. 1948.
1950: John Whitney Sr. invents his computer-assisted mechanisms to create some
of his graphic artwork and short films.
1951: Vectorscope computer graphics display on the computer at MIT.
The General Motors Research Laboratory also begins the study of computer-aided
graphical design applications.
1955: Sage system uses the first light pen as an input device at MIT Lab by Bert
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Sutherland.
 1956: Lawrence Livermore labs associate graphics display with IBM 704 and film
recorder for color images.
 Bertram Herzog uses analog computers to create CRT graphics in the behavior of
military vehicles at the University of Michigan computing center.
 1957: In the National Bureau of Standards first image-processed photo was used.
 The IBM 740 created a sequence of points on a CRT monitor to represent lines and
shapes.
 1958: Steven Coons, Ivan Sutherland, and Timothy Johnson started working with
the TX-2 computer system to manipulate the drawn pictures.1959: The first
commercial film recorder produced in San Diego, CA.
 Don Hart and Ed Jacks invented the first computer-aided drawing system at General
Motors Research Laboratory and IBM.
 1960: William Fetter was first termed “Computer Graphics” for cockpit drawing.
 John Whitney Sr. invents motion graphics in LA.
 1962: In MIT Lincoln Laboratory Ivan Sutherland produced a man-machine
graphical communication system. 4
 1963: An analog computer was developed by Charles Csuri and used to transform a
drawing.
 Edgar Horwood introduced a computer graphics mapping system which is used by
U. S. Housing and urban development.
 1965: IBM 2250, the first graphics computer available.
 1966: Ralph Baer developed the first consumer computer graphics game,
“Odyssey.”
 1968: Tony Pritchett made the first computer animation “FLEXIPEDE” in the UK.
 1972: Nolan Bushnell, “the father of Electronic games,” developed PONG game.
 1973: The concept of Z-buffer algorithm and texture mapping were developed by
Edwin Catmull.
 1974: The Phong shading method is developed by Phong Bui-Toung.
 1975: Dr. Edwin Catmull introduced the Tween animation system.
 1976: The first 3D appearance film was created by Gary Demos, John Whitey Jr. at
Triple-I. 5
 1978: For the mechanical Universe Jim Blinn produced the first series of animation. Jim
Blinn has also published the technique of bump mapping.
 1979: Ray tracing created at Bell Laboratory & Cornell University.
 1980: The first digital computer was used in computer graphics in the Digital Equipment
Corporation(DEC).
 1981: The making of computer graphics for IMAX film format is done by Nelson Max at
Lawrence Liver more National Laboratory. The Donkey Kong video game was introduced by
Nintendo.
 1982: The first broad use of 3D graphics animation was done in Disney featured film.
 AutoCAD 1.0 is launched-It is only used for wire frame representation.
 1985: Medical imaging software combined with Voxel technology.
 1987: Video graphics array (VGA) standard was introduced.
 1989: Super video graphics array (SVGA) was recommended. Tim Berners Lee developed
the first website ever, which has the original URL (Universal resource locator).
 1993: Mosaic, the web browser was released by UIUC for general usage. The Codename of
mosaic was “Mozilla.”
The Mosaic, the first web browser was released. First public call made by cell phone. 6
 1994: Netscape founded by developers of the Mosaic.
 1995: First, fully CGI (Computer-generated imagery) was released. MS Internet
Explorer 1.0 released.
 2000: The first web-based CAD system Sketchup released.
 2006: Google acquires Sketchup.
 2009: The state of the art of computer graphics, as of 2009, was brief in a short
video.
 2013: Now, it is possible to create graphics on a home computer.
 2015: Big data is being used to create animations.
 2018: Now, we can create “realistic” graphics on mobile phones. We can also
create a completely CGI-based human face in real-time.

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 3D GRAPHICS TERMS & TERMINOLOGY
In order to clarify the terminology, we include here a brief overview of the key graphics
concepts.
For example, the terms 3D graphics, visualization, virtual reality, and 3D browsers for the
internet are not interchangeable, since they refer to different technologies used in different
application markets.
Modeling
Computerized 3D models (of mechanical assemblies, architectural concepts, animated virtual
worlds, human organs, geological sites, or moving fluids) may be created using computer aided
design and animation software, reconstructed from data acquired through sensing devices, or
computed with simulation or analysis packages.
Visualization
The way a 3D model is rendered by an application is controlled by: the particular visualization
techniques employed, by the state of an animation or simulation, and by the user's interaction.
Animation
It is the process of automatically adjusting the positions and shapes of the various elements in
the model, so as, for example, to simulate a natural behavior or to demonstrate how a computed
model evolves over time. Animation often requires considerable computational resources.
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Interaction
It is the process of manually controlling the view, i.e.: the position and orientation of the model
with respect to the view point. Control mechanisms in general involve multi-dimensional input
devices (mouse, head tracker) and are most effective when the effect of a gesture is immediate
(real-time feedback) and can be anticipated (a natural, easy-to-use metaphor).
Rendering
Given a particular interpretation and a particular view (as dictated by the visualization,
animation and interaction states), the model must be rendered to produce the desired image.
Popular rendering techniques include

1. Shading 2.Radiosity 3. Raytracing, and 4. Volumetric visualization.

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Uses of Computer graphics
 Some important benefits of Computer graphics are: 

Increase Productivity



Computer graphics give us tools for creating pictures of solid
objects as well as of theoretical, engineered objects.
Computer graphics also point out the moving images.



The computer can store complex drawings and display
complex pictures.

Sound cards are used to make computers produce sound
effects led to other uses of graphics.

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Applications of Computer Graphics
Some applications of computer graphics are mentioned below-
Graphical User Interface (GUI): It is a way of interacting with a computer using the
icon, menu, and other visual, graphics by which user easily interacts. 
Art: Computer Graphics provides a new way of making designs. Many artists and
designers use illustrator, coral draw, Photoshop, adobe muse, and other types of
applications for creating new designs.
Entertainment: Computer graphics allow the user to make animated movies and
games. Computer graphics are used to create scenes. Computer graphics are also used
for special effects and animations.
Presentations: Computer graphics are used for making charts, bar diagrams, and
other images for the presentation purpose, with the graphical presentation the user, can
easily understand the points.
Engineering Drawings: Computer Graphics has also provided us the flexibility to
make 3D models, house circuits and engineering drawings, etc.
Education and Training: Computer graphics are also used to provide training to
students with simulators. The students can learn about the machines without physically
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trying them. Continue…………….

Medical Imaging: MRIs, CT scans, and other internal scans are
possible because of computer graphics.

Flight Simulator: Computer graphic is used to provide training to
pilots of aircraft. The pilots give much time to a flight simulator on
the ground instead of real airplanes.

Printing Technology: Computer graphics are used in textile
designing and flex printing.

Typography: Use of character pictures to replace the rough form of
the past in printing.

Satellite Imaging: Computer graphics are used to forecast the
movement of the cloud and to predict the weather.

Cartography: Computer graphics are used in map drawing.

CAD/CAM: CAD/CAM is also known as Computer-aided design and
computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM is used to design and
build prototypes, finished products, and manufacturing processes.
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