Computer graphics

:For the ACM SIGGRAPH journal, see Computer Graphics.

Computer graphics, 3D

With the birth of the workstation computers (like LISP machines, paintbox computers and Silicon Graphics workstations) came the 3D computer graphics, based on vector graphics. Instead of the computer storing information about points, lines and curves on a 2-Dimensional plane, the computer stores the location of points, lines and typically faces (to construct a polygon) in 3-Dimensional Space.

Related Topics:
Workstation - LISP machine - Paintbox - Silicon Graphics - 3D computer graphics - Vector graphics

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3-Dimensional polygons are the life blood of virtually all 3D computer graphics. As a result, most 3D graphics engines are based around storing points (single 3 Dimensional coordinates,) lines that connect those points together, and faces between the lines, and then a sequence of faces to create 3D polygons.

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Modern day computer graphics software goes far beyond just the simple storage of polygons in computer memory. Today's graphics are not only the product of massive collections of polygons into recognizable shapes, they also result from techniques in shading, texturing and rasterization.

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