Jim Blinn's Corner: Notation, Notation, Notation


Book Description

In this third compendium of articles selected from his award-winning column, Blinn addresses topics in mathematical notation and cubic curves, among other topics, and shares the tricks he has uncovered through years of experimentation. Twenty perplexing topics are addressed, with solutions thoroughly illustrated in an award-winning style.




Level of Detail for 3D Graphics


Book Description

Preface -- Foreword -- Part I: Generation -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Mesh Simplification -- 3. Error Metrics -- Part II: Application -- 4. Runtime Frameworks -- 5. Catalog of Useful Algorithms -- 6. Gaming Optimizations -- 7. Terrain Level of Detail -- Part III: Advanced Issues -- 8. Perceptual Issues -- 9. Measuring Visual Fidelity -- 10. Temporal LOD -- Glossary -- BibliographyMesh simplification -- Simplification error metrics -- Run-time frameworks -- A catalog of useful algorithms -- Gaming optimizations -- Terrain level of detail -- Perceptual issues -- Measuring visual fidelity -- Temporal detail.




Geometric Tools for Computer Graphics


Book Description

Do you spend too much time creating the building blocks of your graphics applications or finding and correcting errors? Geometric Tools for Computer Graphics is an extensive, conveniently organized collection of proven solutions to fundamental problems that you'd rather not solve over and over again, including building primitives, distance calculation, approximation, containment, decomposition, intersection determination, separation, and more. If you have a mathematics degree, this book will save you time and trouble. If you don't, it will help you achieve things you may feel are out of your reach. Inside, each problem is clearly stated and diagrammed, and the fully detailed solutions are presented in easy-to-understand pseudocode. You also get the mathematics and geometry background needed to make optimal use of the solutions, as well as an abundance of reference material contained in a series of appendices. Features - Filled with robust, thoroughly tested solutions that will save you time and help you avoid costly errors. - Covers problems relevant for both 2D and 3D graphics programming. - Presents each problem and solution in stand-alone form allowing you the option of reading only those entries that matter to you. - Provides the math and geometry background you need to understand the solutions and put them to work. - Clearly diagrams each problem and presents solutions in easy-to-understand pseudocode. - Resources associated with the book are available at the companion Web site www.mkp.com/gtcg.* Filled with robust, thoroughly tested solutions that will save you time and help you avoid costly errors.* Covers problems relevant for both 2D and 3D graphics programming.* Presents each problem and solution in stand-alone form allowing you the option of reading only those entries that matter to you.* Provides the math and geometry background you need to understand the solutions and put them to work.* Clearly diagrams each problem and presents solutions in easy-to-understand pseudocode.* Resources associated with the book are available at the companion Web site www.mkp.com/gtcg.




Pyramid Algorithms


Book Description

Pyramid Algorithms presents a unique approach to understanding, analyzing, and computing the most common polynomial and spline curve and surface schemes used in computer-aided geometric design, employing a dynamic programming method based on recursive pyramids. The recursive pyramid approach offers the distinct advantage of revealing the entire structure of algorithms, as well as relationships between them, at a glance. This book-the only one built around this approach-is certain to change the way you think about CAGD and the way you perform it, and all it requires is a basic background in calculus and linear algebra, and simple programming skills.* Written by one of the world's most eminent CAGD researchers* Designed for use as both a professional reference and a textbook, and addressed to computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, theoreticians, and students alike* Includes chapters on Bezier curves and surfaces, B-splines, blossoming, and multi-sided Bezier patches* Relies on an easily understood notation, and concludes each section with both practical and theoretical exercises that enhance and elaborate upon the discussion in the text* Foreword by Professor Helmut Pottmann, Vienna University of Technology




Jim Blinn's Corner: Dixty Pixels


Book Description

The original graphics guru, Jim Blinn, returns with a second compilation of the best columns from "Jim Blinn's Corner", his regular column in "IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications". He has developed many widely used graphics techniques, including bump mapping, environment mapping, and blobby modeling. He shares his most useful graphics tips and tricks, many of which have never before been addressed.




Texturing & Modeling


Book Description

The third edition of this classic tutorial and reference on procedural texturing and modeling is thoroughly updated to meet the needs of today's 3D graphics professionals and students. New for this edition are chapters devoted to real-time issues, cellular texturing, geometric instancing, hardware acceleration, futuristic environments, and virtual universes. In addition, the familiar authoritative chapters on which readers have come to rely contain all-new material covering L-systems, particle systems, scene graphs, spot geometry, bump mapping, cloud modeling, and noise improvements. There are many new spectacular color images to enjoy, especially in this edition's full-color format. As in the previous editions, the authors, who are the creators of the methods they discuss, provide extensive, practical explanations of widely accepted techniques as well as insights into designing new ones. New to the third edition are chapters by two well-known contributors: Bill Mark of NVIDIA and John Hart of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on state-of-the-art topics not covered in former editions. An accompanying Web site (www.texturingandmodeling.com) contains all of the book's sample code in C code segments (all updated to the ANSI C Standard) or in RenderMan shading language, plus files of many magnificent full-color illustrations. No other book on the market contains the breadth of theoretical and practical information necessary for applying procedural methods. More than ever, Texturing & Modeling remains the chosen resource for professionals and advanced students in computer graphics and animation. *New chapters on: procedural real-time shading by Bill Mark, procedural geometric instancing and real-time solid texturing by John Hart, hardware acceleration strategies by David Ebert, cellular texturing by Steven Worley, and procedural planets and virtual universes by Ken Musgrave. *New material on Perlin Noise by Ken Perlin. *Printed in full color throughout. *Companion Web site contains revised sample code and dozens of images.




Understanding Virtual Reality


Book Description

Of interest to developers of virtual reality applications and others interested in potential uses for virtual reality, this book presents a selection of useful VR applications and gives readers guidance on how VR might be applied.




Digital Video and HD


Book Description

Rapidly evolving computer and communications technologies have achieved data transmission rates and data storage capacities high enough for digital video. But video involves much more than just pushing bits! Achieving the best possible image quality, accurate color, and smooth motion requires understanding many aspects of image acquisition, coding, processing, and display that are outside the usual realm of computer graphics. At the same time, video system designers are facing new demands to interface with film and computer system that require techniques outside conventional video engineering. Charles Poynton's 1996 book A Technical Introduction to Digital Video became an industry favorite for its succinct, accurate, and accessible treatment of standard definition television (SDTV). In Digital Video and HDTV, Poynton augments that book with coverage of high definition television (HDTV) and compression systems. For more information on HDTV Retail markets, go to: http://www.insightmedia.info/newsletters.php#hdtvWith the help of hundreds of high quality technical illustrations, this book presents the following topics:* Basic concepts of digitization, sampling, quantization, gamma, and filtering* Principles of color science as applied to image capture and display* Scanning and coding of SDTV and HDTV* Video color coding: luma, chroma (4:2:2 component video, 4fSC composite video)* Analog NTSC and PAL* Studio systems and interfaces* Compression technology, including M-JPEG and MPEG-2* Broadcast standards and consumer video equipment




MEL Scripting for Maya Animators


Book Description

Trying to learn Maya programming from the documentation can be daunting whether or not you are a programmer. The first edition of MEL Scripting for Maya Animators earned the reputation as the best introductory book on MEL, Maya's scripting language. Now fully revised and updated, the second edition also includes new features, such as a discussion of global procedures, new chapters on fixing programming bottlenecks, advanced user interface techniques, and optimizing character rigs. New chapters on utility nodes and Maya's Web Panel feature provide new ideas on how to use MEL in applications. This new edition has kept the popular style of the first edition that offered very clear explanations of programming concepts to those without programming experience. A generous collection of code examples and Maya scene files is included on the companion Web site. This is a book for animators, artists, game developers, visual effects developers, and technical directors who want to learn the fundamentals of Maya, how to automate tasks, personalize user interfaces, build custom tools, and solve problems with MEL. - Fully updated with several new chapters - Profusely illustrated and includes a companion Web site with numerous code examples and scene files - The authors bring their extensive experience in professional production studios to provide expert guidance




Complete Maya Programming Volume II


Book Description

David Gould's acclaimed first book, Complete Maya Programming: An Extensive Guide to MEL and the C++ API, provides artists and programmers with a deep understanding of the way Maya works and how it can be enhanced and customized through programming. In his new book David offers a gentle, intuitive introduction to the core ideas of computer graphics. Each concept is explained progressively and is fully implemented in both MEL and C++ so that an artist or programmer can use the source code directly in their own programs. Geometry and modeling are covered in detail with progressively more complex examples demonstrating all of Maya's possible programming features. David Gould's first volume is widely regarded as the most authoritative reference on Maya programming. Volume II continues this tradition and provides an unmatched guide for the artist and programmer tackling complex tasks. - Covers a spectrum of topics in computer graphics including points and vectors, rotations, transformations, curves and surfaces (polygonal, NURBS, subdivision), and modeling - Offers insights to Maya's inner workings so that an artist or programmer can design and develop customized tools and solutions - Discusses problem solving with MEL (Maya's scripting language) and the more powerful and versatile C++ API, with plenty of code examples for each