3D Modelling

1.1 A History of Computer Graphics and Special Effects | QUIZ 1 Prelim

Charles Babbage

He imagined a machine that could be made to do complicated mathematics

Analytical Engine

The machine designed by Charles Babbage to perform complicated mathematical calculations.

Mechanical adding machines

They were the earliest computers used for basic calculations.

Electronic computers

These computers were used during World War II to crack communication codes, create artillery tables, and help develop the atomic bomb.

Vacuum tubes

These electronic components made early computers large, fragile, hot, and unreliable.

Transistors

These electronic components replaced vacuum tubes, making computers smaller and more reliable.

Colossus

British electronic computing devices used to decode encrypted German wireless messages during World War II.

Punch cards

The method used to input variables and receive results in early computers.

Switchboards

Early computers were programmed by changing these.

Whirlwind

The first military computer to use an oscilloscope display and a light pen.

Light pen

The device used to select and draw directly on the computer screen.

Ivan Sutherland

Known as the Father of Computer Graphics

Sketchpad

The first interactive computer graphics program that allowed users to draw 2D and 3D shapes.

TX-2

The computer that was specially modified to run Sketchpad.

William Fetter

He coined the term "computer graphics."

Ergonomic designs

Computer graphics were first used by William Fetter for these designs.

Spacewar!

One of the earliest interactive computer games created in 1962.

Steve Russell

Creator of Spacewar! known by the nickname "Slug."

Martin Graetz

Co-creator of Spacewar! known by the nickname "Shag."

Wayne Wiitanen

Third creator of Spacewar!

DEC PDP-1

Commercial computer on which Spacewar! became widely available.

University of Utah

University where many important computer graphics breakthroughs were developed.

Hidden surface algorithm

Technique that made wireframe objects appear solid.

Shaders

Programs that calculate how light affects the appearance of surfaces

Bui Tuong Phong

He developed an algorithm that simulated realistic highlights on surfaces.

Phong shading

The shading algorithm developed by Bui Tuong Phong.

Jim Blinn

Graduate student who created a faster version of Phong shading.

Texture mapping

Faster version of the Phong shading algorithm.

Antialiasing

Technique that smooths jagged edges in computer graphics.

Utah teapot

Famous 3D model still used for testing lighting and rendering.

Martin Newell

Creator of the Utah teapot.

Ed Catmull

University of Utah student who later became one of Pixar's founders.

George Lucas

Creator of Star Wars who recruited Ed Catmull.

Genesis Effect

The first fully computer-generated animation shown in a feature film.

Tron

Disney movie released in 1982 that used groundbreaking computer graphics but failed at the box office.

Steve Jobs

Apple co-founder who financed Ed Catmull's computer graphics group.

Pixar Animation Studios

Animation studio created after Steve Jobs financed Ed Catmull's group.

The Last Starfighter

First movie to use only computer-generated spaceships instead of physical models.

The Abyss

Movie that featured the first convincing CGI creature.

Terminator II

Movie that introduced a realistic CGI human character.

Jurassic Park

Movie famous for realistic CGI dinosaurs interacting with live-action scenes.

Babylon 5

Television series that brought high-quality 3D graphics to TV using networks of personal computers.

ReBoot

First fully computer-generated 3D animated television series.

Toy Story

Pixar's first full-length computer-animated feature film.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Movie that attempted to create a fully realistic CGI human character.

Uncanny Valley

The effect where CGI humans look almost real but still appear unsettling.

Motion capture

Technology that records an actor's movements to animate CGI characters.

Gollum

Motion-captured character from The Lord of the Rings.

Davy Jones

Motion-captured character from Pirates of the Caribbean

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Movie that showed major improvements in realistic facial expressions through motion capture.

Avatar

2009 movie known for advanced motion capture and realistic CGI environments.

Avatar

Movie that featured glowing plants and floating mountains created with CGI.

Tron: Legacy

2010 movie set in a completely computer-generated digital world.

Green screen

Colored background commonly used so computer-generated environments can be added later.

Plugins

Companies often create these to add new features to 3D software.