Blundell Barry G. An Introduction to Computer Graphics and Creative 3-D Environments

Springer-Verlag London Limited 2008, 509 pages. This book is designed to be a course text for students studying computer graphics and related subjects at the introductory level within the context of an undergraduate or graduate degree programme. The content is presented in such a way as to ensure that it is accessible to the widest possible audience and wherever feasible a trans-disciplinary approach is adopted, thereby making the subject matter accessible to students of both the traditional Arts and Sciences. The book is designed to support the infusion of research content within the course curriculum.Coverage includes:
An introduction to computer graphics – both two and three-dimensional image depiction. Here we primarily focus on fundamental techniques and methodologies that underpin the formation and manipulation of image scenes.
Basic mathematical techniques employed in computer graphics. Only an elementary knowledge of maths is assumed – our primary objective is to ensure that the contents are accessible to students with diverse backgrounds. At the same time, the introductory coverage of maths is structured in a way that enables students who have previously studied this material to easily verify their skills and, if appropriate, skip material with which they are already familiar.
Discussion in relation to key aspects of the human visual system and the suitability of the traditional computer display to optimally interface with our complex sense of sight. In this context we consider a range of pictorial, oculomotor, and parallax depth cues and discuss
facets of 3-D image depiction.
Computer graphics provides the primary means by which we visualise the results of the computational process and also underpins our interaction with the digital domain. With this in mind, we consider aspects of the human-computer interaction process and the
synergy that exists between the visual image and interaction tools. This includes discussion of haptic technologies and bi-manual interaction.
Various ‘creative’ 3-D display system technologies (including stereoscopic, multi-view, volumetric, varifocal and holographic techniques) are introduced. Here, we consider characteristics of the displayed image, discuss interaction opportunities, and highlight key
strengths and weaknesses.