Computer Animation, 3rd Edition

APPENDIX A

Rendering Issues

This appendix presents rendering techniques for computing a series of images that are to be played back as an animation sequence. It is assumed that the reader has a solid background in rendering techniques and issues, namely, the use of frame buffers, the z-buffer display algorithm, and aliasing. The techniques presented here concern smoothly displaying a sequence of images on a computer monitor (double buffering), efficiently computing images of an animated sequence (compositing, drop shadows, billboarding), and effectively rendering moving objects (motion blur). An understanding of this material is not necessary for understanding the techniques and algorithms covered in the rest of the book, but computer animators ...