
Chapter
2
The Graphics System
T
his chapter prov ides some basic concepts that occur in a computer graphics sys-
tem. Some of these concepts are mathematical in nature. I am assuming that
you are familiar with trigonometry, vector and matrix algebra, and dot products and
cross products. A warning to those who have a significant mathematical background:
I intentionally discuss the mathematical concepts in a somewhat informal manner.
My goal is to present the relevant ideas without getting tied down in the minutiae of
stating rigorous definitions for the concepts. The first edition of this book was criti-
cized for overemphasizing the mathematical details—and ...