Practical Algorithms for 3D Computer Graphics, 2nd Edition

4

Basic visualization

In this chapter the mathematical principles of chapter 2 and the structures of

chapter 3 come together to produce a collection of algorithms that are used to

synthesize images from purely numerical d ata so that th e viewer should instantly

be able to exclaim “That’s a . . . !” This synthesis is termed rendering, and

from the scientific p oint of view this is a mathematical modeling process of the

way light interacts with surfaces, how light travels to the observer’s location and

how they perceive it.

In the decade or so since publication of the first edition of this book the

major mathematical models used in the rendering process ...