Computer GraphicsWhat computers do....process, transform, and communicate informationAspects of communication Origin (where does information come from?)❍ Throughput (how frequent?)❍ Latency (how long do I have to wait)?❍ Presentation (what does it look like?)❍ Computer Graphics is...the technology for presenting informationLecture 1 Slide 2 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide02.html (1 of 2) [9/8/2000 9:24:19 AM]Computer Graphics is about Movies!If you can imagine it, it can be done with computer graphics.Obviously, Hollywood has caught on to this. Each summer,we are amazed by state-of-the-art special effects. More andmore of these images exist only within the memory of acomputer. There seems to be no end in sight for this trend.But we're not just talking about big budget mega-productions.There are music videos, and spinning logos on the 6 o'clocknews. Computer graphics is now as much a part of theentertainment industry as stunt men and makeup. The entertainment industry plays many other important rolesin the field of computer graphics.Leaders in quality and artistry1. Not slaves to conceptual purity2. Big budgets and tight schedules3. Constant reminder that there is more to CG thantechnology.4. How did they do that?5. They define our expectations.6. Lecture 1 Slide 4 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide04.html [9/8/2000 9:24:22 AM]6.837/6.838 - Principles of Computer GraphicsIntroductionsInstructors - Leonard & JulieTAs - Hector, Jason, & MokSecretary - BrytAbout this Coursewww.graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00Computer Graphics?Display Technologies Lecture 1 Slide 1 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide01.html (1 of 2) [9/8/2000 9:24:07 AM]Okay, but...what is this course really about?Not!Paint and Imaging packages (Adobe Photoshop)CAD packages (AutoCAD)Rendering packages (Lightscape)Modeling packages (3D Studio MAX)Animation packages (Digimation)Graphics APIs (OpenGL)Graphics Modeling and Languages (RenderMan)We will cover...Graphics programming algorithmsGraphics data structuresColor and human visionGraphical interface design andprogrammingApplied geometry and modelingApplied numerical computingUgh... sounds like Computer ScienceLecture 1 Slide 3 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide03.html [9/8/2000 9:24:20 AM]Medical ImagingThere are few endeavors more noble than the preservation of life. Today, it canhonestly be said that computer graphics plays an significant role in saving lives. Therange of application spans from tools for teaching and diagnosis, all the way totreatment. Computer graphics is tool in medical applications rather than an a mereartifact. No cheating or tricks allowed.How medical applications influence computer graphics technology1. New data representations and modalities2. Drive issues of precision and correctness3. Focus on presentation and interpretation of data4. Construction of models from acquired dataLecture 1 Slide 6 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide06.html [9/8/2000 9:24:27 AM]Scientific VisualizationComputer graphics makes vast quantities of data accessible. Numerical simulations frequentlyproduce millions of data values. Similarly, satellite-based sensors amass data at rates beyondour abilities to interpret them by any other means than visually. Mathematicians use computergraphics to explore abstract and high-dimensional functions and spaces. Physicists can usecomputer graphics to transcend the limits of scale. With it they can explore both microscopicand macroscopic worlds.Lecture 1 Slide 8 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide08.html [9/8/2000 9:24:31 AM]Games are okay here!Games are an important driving force in computer graphics. In thisclass we are going to talk about games. We'll discuss on how theywork. We'll also question how they get so much done with so little towork with. If you have time to play computer games between nowand the end of the semester ask yourselves, how do they do that?Study the screen. How does the screen look when things are moving?What about when things are still. Why do they always go into thoselow resolution display modes that everyone else considers worthless.Let yourself get blown up. If anyone asks, tell them you're doingscience.How the game's industry impacts computer graphicsFocus on interactivity1. Cost-effective solutions2. Avoiding computation and other tricks3. Games drive the baseline4. Lecture 1 Slide 5 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide05.html [9/8/2000 9:24:24 AM]Computer Aided DesignComputer graphics has had a dramatic impact on the design process. Today, most mechanical andelectronic designs are executed entirely on computer. Increasingly, architectural and product designsare also migrating to the computer. Automated tools are also available that verify tolerances and designconstraints directly from CAD designs. CAD designs also play a key role in a wide range of processesfrom the design of tooling fixtures to manufacturing. CAD has had the follow impact on computer graphics.1. Drives the high-end of the HW market2. Integration of computing and display resources3. Reduced design cycles (faster systems sooner)Lecture 1 Slide 7 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide07.html [9/8/2000 9:24:28 AM]Display TechnologiesCathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)Most common display device today❍ Evacuated glass bottle(last remaining vacuum tube)❍ Heating element (filament)❍ Electrons attracted to focusing anode cylinder❍ Vertical and Horizontal deflection plates❍ Beam strikes phosphor coating on front of tube❍ Lecture 1 Slide 10 6.837 Fall '00Lecture 1 --- 6.837 Fall '00http://graphics.lcs.mit.edu/classes/6.837/F00/Lecture01/Slide10.html (1 of 2) [9/8/2000 9:24:35 AM]Raster DisplaysTV boomed in the 50s and early 60s(they got cheap)● B/W TVs are basically oscilloscopes(with a hardwired scan pattern)● Entire screen painted 30 times/sec● Screen is traversed 60 times/sec● Even/Odd lines on alternate
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