Fundamentals of Three-dimensional Computer Graphics

By Enoch Musyoka

The third edition of Alan Watt's 3D Computer Graphics, a bible of computer graphics, includes a CD-ROM full of examples and updated information on graphics and rendering algorithms. The book discusses many of the techniques that have evolved in the seven years since the previous edition was published. 3D Computer Graphics is a textbook, and it's designed for serious programmers creating graphics applications (not end users). Over the course of 16 sections, Watt introduces the concepts and implementation of computer imaging, from "Mathematical Fundamentals of Computer Graphics" to "Representation and Rendering" and ending with "Image-Based Rendering and Photo-Modeling." The last section, devoted to computer animation, includes methods for linked structures, collision detection, and particle animation (to name a few). Although the topics are sometimes hard to grasp, Mr. Watt writes clearly and concisely, making generous use of diagrams to help convey the principles described in the text. The accompanying CD-ROM includes over a dozen studies of computer graphics techniques and rendering algorithms. Presented in HTML, the exhaustive studies, each with a matrix of thumbnails, demonstrates the varied achievable results. One minor complaint here: although the thumbnails can be clicked to view a much larger image, the larger versions come in .tif format, which few (if any) Web browsers can view. Users will need another application to view them. Having the large image in .jpg format would have enabled the reader to view it in the already-open Web browser. 3D Computer Graphics is ideally suited to graphics programmers and researchers working to create new medical imaging devices; geological research systems; virtual structural testing systems for aircraft, cars, and spacecraft; or effects and photorealistic Hollywood animation. --Mike Caputo This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201154420
• ISBN13: 9780201154429
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Addison Wesley Publishing Company
• Length: 430 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

classic

I have an earlier version of this book and I've always found it to be one that I return to time and again. It was one of the first three graphics programming books I bought during the same early career book shopping session, it was definately the most useful of the three and it's stayed with me ever since, where other books have been and gone.It's generally very easy to read and very informative. It has a good progression...

No Better Book to Learn From

Contrary to what the other reviews say, I believe this is an excellent book for beginners in the 3D computer graphics world. However, that being said, you will need some basic math skills to be able to understand and apply the concepts in this book. If you are unfamilar with linear algebra, you should probably start with studying up on your math skills first. With the basic math skills, this book does a great job of introducing...

Excellent second book for graphics

The other reviews are right that this is not a beginner's book. However, it is a terrific book for those that are familiar with the basics of graphics and want to learn a very modern view of modeling and rendering. There are a few rough spots, but overall the book is well-written, nicely illustrated, and extremely up-to-date. Also, the author really seems to understand the material in both rendering and modeling. That...

Best general introduction to computer graphics I have

After reading Foley, et. al. I found this book refreshing. While there is much not covered, the wealth of information for the beginner is very good. Also, whereas Foley covers many aspects of computer graphics outside of 3D, this one doesn't meaning that by Chapter 2 you're talking about the math involved, rather than waiting until Chapter 5. Also, this book covers curved surfaces as a good introduction, perhaps a little...

Excelent elementary book!

This book presents all the basic elements concerning 3D graphics, such as geometric modeling, view projctions, rendering, texture mapping, etc... The teaching style of the author is great, which means that this book is fully understandable. However, I'd like to see the written algorithms in C or C++ and not in the elementary Pascal language.