Chapter 1

An Invitation to Computer Graphics

Computer graphics, or CG as it is often simply called, is the use of computers to generate images. This is as opposed to the capture of images of real-world or imagined objects which would be, for example, photography or the work of an artist with pencil and paper.

To not see the end product of CG, that being computer-generated imagery (CGI), throughout your day, you would have to be on a deserted island. Images on the screen of the cell phone you probably check first thing on waking are digitally synthesized by a processor. Almost every frame on the TV showing the morning news has CGI in some part. If you commute, then the vehicle which carries you to school or work likely communicates with its operator ...

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