Computer Graphics Lecture Notes

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture notes on computer graphics.

OpenGL

A computer graphics rendering API used for generating high-quality color images.

Raster Scan Display

A method of displaying images using a rectangular array of pixels, refreshed line by line.

DDA Algorithm

Digital Differential Analyzer, an incremental method for scan conversion of lines.

Bresenham's Algorithm

An efficient algorithm for drawing lines using only integer arithmetic.

Primitive

Basic geometric shapes such as points, lines, and polygons used in graphics.

Rendering Pipeline

The sequence of steps used to convert 3D models into 2D images.

Geometric Transformation

Operations that alter the position, size, or orientation of a shape.

Color Model

A mathematical model describing the way colors are represented as tuples.

Texture Mapping

Applying an image (texture) to a surface to give it detail.

Ray Tracing

A rendering technique that simulates the way light interacts with objects.

2D Transformation

Manipulations that change the position, size, or orientation of 2D objects.

3D Transformation

Manipulations that affect the position, size, or orientation of 3D objects.

Model View Matrix

Matrix that transforms 3D coordinates to camera space.

Clipping

The process of restricting rendering to a specified area to improve performance.

Lighting and Illumination

Techniques for simulating light in a scene to enhance realism.

Frame Buffer

A memory buffer that stores pixel data for rendering images on the screen.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized processor designed to accelerate the rendering of images.

Interactive Graphics

Graphics that allow real-time user interaction and manipulation.

Non-Interactive Graphics

Graphics that do not respond to user input after initial creation.

Pixel

The smallest unit of a digital image, representing a single point in the image.

Resolution

The number of pixels in an image, usually described in width x height.

Aspect Ratio

The ratio of the width to the height of an image or screen.

Persistence

How long a phosphor continues to emit light in a display.

Input Devices

Hardware used to provide data and control signals to a computer.

Output Devices

Hardware used to present data to the user, such as monitors or printers.

3D Modeling

The process of creating a mathematical representation of a three-dimensional object.

Geometric Primitives

Basic shapes used to build complex graphic objects like points, lines, and triangles.

Animation

The simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures or frames.

Scene Graph

A data structure that organizes the various elements of a scene for rendering.

Anti-aliasing

Techniques used to smooth jagged edges in graphics.

Alpha Blending

Technique used for transparency effect by combining an image with a background.

Shader

A program that tells the computer how to draw something in a specific way.

GLSL

OpenGL Shading Language, used for writing shaders for OpenGL.

Normal Vector

A vector that is perpendicular to a surface, used in lighting calculations.

Vertex

A point in 2D or 3D space, often defined by coordinates.

Quad

A four-sided polygon used in computer graphics.

Polygon

A closed shape formed by a finite number of line segments.