3D computer graphics

William Fetter was credited with coining the term computer graphics in 1961 to describe his work at Boeing. An early example of interactive 3-D computer graphics was explored in 1963 by the Sketchpad program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. One of the first displays of computer animation was Futureworld (1976), which included an animation of a human face and a hand that had originally appeared in the 1972 experimental short A Computer Animated Hand, created by University of Utah students Edwin Catmull and Fred Parke. 3-D computer graphics software began appearing for home computers in the late 1970s. The earliest known example is 3D Art Graphics, a set of 3-D computer graphics effects, written by Kazumasa Mitazawa and released in June 1978 for the Apple II. Virtual Reality 3D is a version of 3D computer graphics. With the first headset coming out in the late 1950s, the popularity of VR didn't take off until the 2000s. In 2012 the Oculus was released and since then, the 3D VR headset world has expanded. ==Overview==

3D computer graphics production workflow falls into three basic phases: • 3D modeling – the process of forming a computer model of an object's shape • Layout and CGI animation – the placement and movement of objects (models, lights etc.) within a scene • 3D rendering – the computer calculations that, based on light placement, surface types, and other qualities, generate (rasterize the scene into) an image Modeling The modeling describes the process of forming the shape of an object. The two most common sources of 3D models are those that an artist or engineer originates on a computer with a 3D modeling tool, or models scanned into a computer from real-world objects (Polygonal Modeling, Patch Modeling and NURBS Modeling are some popular tools used in 3D modeling). Models can also be produced procedurally or via physical simulation. The overall integrity of the model and its suitability to use in animation depend on the structure of the polygons. Layout and animation Before rendering into an image, objects must be laid out in a 3D scene. This defines spatial relationships between objects, including location and size. Animation refers to the temporal description of an object (i.e., how it moves and deforms over time. Popular methods include keyframing, inverse kinematics, and motion-capture). These techniques are often used in combination. As with animation, physical simulation also specifies motion. Stop Motion has multiple categories within such as Claymation, Cutout, Silhouette, Lego, Puppets, and Pixelation. Claymation is the use of models made of clay used for an animation. Some examples are Clay Fighter and Clay Jam. Lego animation is one of the more common types of stop motion. Lego stop motion is the use of the figures themselves moving around. Some examples of this are Lego Island and Lego Harry Potter. Rendering Rendering converts a model into an image either by simulating light transport to get photo-realistic images, or by applying an art style as in non-photorealistic rendering. The two basic operations in realistic rendering are transport (how much light gets from one place to another) and scattering (how surfaces interact with light). This step is usually performed using 3-D computer graphics software or a 3-D graphics API. Altering the scene into a suitable form for rendering also involves 3D projection, which displays a three-dimensional image in two dimensions. Although 3-D modeling and CAD software may perform 3-D rendering as well (e.g., Autodesk 3ds Max or Blender), exclusive 3-D rendering software also exists (e.g., OTOY's Octane Rendering Engine, Maxon's Redshift) File:Engine movingparts.jpg|A 3-D rendering with ray tracing and ambient occlusion using Blender and YafaRay File:Dunkerque 3d.jpeg|A 3-D model of a Dunkerque-class battleship rendered with flat shading File:Cannonball stack with FCC unit cell.jpg|During the 3-D rendering step, the number of reflections "light rays" can take, as well as various other attributes, can be tailored to achieve a desired visual effect. Rendered with Cobalt. File:Penthouse Rendering.jpg|A 3-D rendering of a penthouse Materials and textures Materials and textures are properties that the render engine uses to render the model. One can give the model materials to tell the render engine how to treat light when it hits the surface. Textures are used to give the material color using a color or albedo map, or give the surface features using a bump map or normal map. It can be also used to deform the model itself using a displacement map. == Software ==

3-D computer graphics software produces computer-generated imagery (CGI) through 3D modeling and 3D rendering or produces 3-D models for analytical, scientific, entertainment, and industrial purposes. File formats There are many varieties of files supporting 3-D graphics, for example, Blender (.blend), Wavefront (.obj), .fbx and .x DirectX files. Each file type generally tends to have its own unique data structure. Each file format can be accessed through their respective applications, such as DirectX files, and Quake. Alternatively, files can be accessed through third-party standalone programs, or via manual decompilation. Modeling 3-D modeling software is a class of 3-D computer graphics software used to produce 3-D models. Individual programs of this class are called modeling applications or modelers. 3-D modeling starts by describing 3 display models: drawing points, drawing lines and drawing triangles and other polygonal patches. 3-D modelers allow users to create and alter models via their 3-D mesh. Users can add, subtract, stretch and otherwise change the mesh to their desire. Models can be viewed from a variety of angles, usually simultaneously. Models can be rotated and the view can be zoomed in and out. 3-D modelers can export their models to files, which can then be imported into other applications as long as the metadata are compatible. Many modelers allow importers and exporters to be plugged-in, so they can read and write data in the native formats of other applications. Most 3-D modelers contain a number of related features, such as ray tracers and other rendering alternatives and texture mapping facilities. Some also contain features that support or allow animation of models. Some may be able to generate full-motion video of a series of rendered scenes (i.e. animation). Computer-aided design (CAD) Computer aided design software may employ the same fundamental 3-D modeling techniques that 3-D modeling software use but their goal differs. They are used in computer-aided engineering, computer-aided manufacturing, Finite element analysis, product lifecycle management, 3D printing and computer-aided architectural design. Complementary tools After producing a video, studios then edit or composite the video using programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro at the mid-level, or Autodesk Combustion, Digital Fusion, Shake at the high-end. Match moving software is commonly used to match live video with computer-generated video, keeping the two in sync as the camera moves. Use of real-time computer graphics engines to create a cinematic production is called machinima. ==Other types of 3D appearance==

Photorealistic 2D graphics Not all computer graphics that appear 3D are based on a wireframe model. 2D computer graphics with 3D photorealistic effects are often achieved without wire-frame modeling and are sometimes indistinguishable in the final form. Some graphic art software includes filters that can be applied to 2D vector graphics or 2D raster graphics on transparent layers. Visual artists may also copy or visualize 3D effects and manually render photo-realistic effects without the use of filters. 2.5D Some video games use 2.5D graphics, involving restricted projections of three-dimensional environments, such as isometric graphics or virtual cameras with fixed angles, either as a way to improve performance of the game engine or for stylistic and gameplay concerns. By contrast, games using 3D computer graphics without such restrictions are said to use true 3D. Other forms of animation Cutout is the use of flat materials such as paper. Everything is cut out of paper including the environment, characters, and even some props. An example of this is Paper Mario. Silhouette is similar to cutouts except they are one solid color, black. Limbo is an example of this. Puppets are dolls and different puppets used in the game. An example of this would be Yoshi's Wooly World. Pixelation is when the entire game appears pixelated, this includes the characters and the environment around them. One example of this is seen in Shovel Knight. ==See also==