Since its very existence as a separate field within computer science, computer graphics had to make extensive use of non-trivial mathematics, for example, projective geometry, solid modelling, and approximation theory. This interplay of mathematics and computer science is exciting, but also makes it difficult for students and researchers to assimilate or maintain a view of the necessary mathematics. The possibilities offered by an interdisciplinary approach are still not fully utilized. This book gives a selection of contributions to a workshop held near Genoa, Italy, in October 1991, where a group of mathematicians and computer scientists gathered to explore ways of extending the cooperation between mathematics and computer graphics.

John Vince explains a wide range of mathematical techniques and problem-solving strategies associated with computer games, computer animation, virtual reality, CAD, and other areas of computer graphics. Covering all the mathematical techniques required to resolve geometric problems and design computer programs for computer graphic applications, each chapter explores a specific mathematical topic prior to moving forward into the more advanced areas of matrix transforms, 3D curves and surface patches. Problem-solving techniques using vector analysis and geometric algebra are also discussed. All the key areas are covered including: Numbers, Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate geometry, Transforms, Vectors, Curves and surfaces, Barycentric coordinates, Analytic geometry. Plus – and unusually in a student textbook – a chapter on geometric algebra is included.

This text, by an award-winning [Author];, was designed to accompany his first-year seminar in the mathematics of computer graphics. Readers learn the mathematics behind the computational aspects of space, shape, transformation, color, rendering, animation, and modeling. The software required is freely available on the Internet for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The text answers questions such as these: How do artists build up realistic shapes from geometric primitives? What computations is my computer doing when it generates a realistic image of my 3D scene? What mathematical tools can I use to animate an object through space? Why do movies always look more realistic than video games? Containing the mathematics and computing needed for making their own 3D computer-generated images and animations, the text, and the course it supports, culminates in a project in which students create a short animated movie using free software. Algebra and trigonometry are prerequisites; calculus is not, though it helps. Programming is not required. Includes optional advanced exercises for students with strong backgrounds in math or computer science. Instructors interested in exposing their liberal arts students to the beautiful mathematics behind computer graphics will find a rich resource in this text.

"Mathematics for Computer Graphics Applications is written for several audiences: for college students majoring in computer science, engineering, or applied mathematics and science, whose special interests are in computer graphics, CAD/CAM, geometric modeling, visualization, or related subjects; for industry and government on-the-job training of employees whose skills can be profitably expanded into these areas; and for the professional working in these fields in need of a comprehensive reference and skills refresher."--BOOK JACKET.

John Vince explains a wide range of mathematical techniques and problem-solving strategies associated with computer games, computer animation, virtual reality, CAD and other areas of computer graphics in this updated and expanded fourth edition. The first four chapters revise number sets, algebra, trigonometry and coordinate systems, which are employed in the following chapters on vectors, transforms, interpolation, 3D curves and patches, analytic geometry and barycentric coordinates. Following this, the reader is introduced to the relatively new topic of geometric algebra, and the last two chapters provide an introduction to differential and integral calculus, with an emphasis on geometry. Mathematics for Computer Graphics covers all of the key areas of the subject, including: Number sets Algebra Trigonometry Coordinate systems Transforms Quaternions Interpolation Curves and surfaces Analytic geometry Barycentric coordinates Geometric algebra Differential calculus Integral calculus This fourth edition contains over 120 worked examples and over 270 illustrations, which are central to the author’s descriptive writing style. Mathematics for Computer Graphics provides a sound understanding of the mathematics required for computer graphics, giving a fascinating insight into the design of computer graphics software and setting the scene for further reading of more advanced books and technical research papers.

This book introduces the mathematical concepts that underpin computer graphics. It is written in an approachable way, without burdening readers with the skills of ow to do'things. The author discusses those aspects of mathematics that relate to the computer synthesis of images, and so gives users a better understanding of the limitations of computer graphics systems. Users of computer graphics who have no formal training and wish to understand the essential foundations of computer graphics systems will find this book very useful, as will mathematicians who want to understand how their subject is used in computer image synthesis. '

The terms chaos and fractals have received widespread attention in recent years. The alluring computer graphics images associated with these terms have heightened interest among scientists in these ideas. This volume contains the introductory survey lectures delivered in the American Mathematical Society Short Course, Chaos and Fractals: The Mathematics Behind the Computer Graphics, on August 6-7, 1988, given in conjunction with the AMS Centennial Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island. In his overview, Robert L. Devaney introduces such key topics as hyperbolicity, the period doubling route to chaos, chaotic dynamics, symbolic dynamics and the horseshoe, and the appearance of fractals as the chaotic set for a dynamical system. Linda Keen and Bodil Branner discuss the Mandelbrot set and Julia sets associated to the complex quadratic family z -> z2 + c. Kathleen T. Alligood, James A. Yorke, and Philip J. Holmes discuss some of these topics in higher dimensional settings, including the Smale horseshoe and strange attractors. Jenny Harrison and Michael F. Barnsley give an overview of fractal geometry and its applications. -- from dust jacket.

This synthesis lecture presents an intuitive introduction to the mathematics of motion and deformation in computer graphics. Starting with familiar concepts in graphics, such as Euler angles, quaternions, and affine transformations, we illustrate that a mathematical theory behind these concepts enables us to develop the techniques for efficient/effective creation of computer animation. This book, therefore, serves as a good guidepost to mathematics (differential geometry and Lie theory) for students of geometric modeling and animation in computer graphics. Experienced developers and researchers will also benefit from this book, since it gives a comprehensive overview of mathematical approaches that are particularly useful in character modeling, deformation, and animation.

This synthesis lecture presents an intuitive introduction to the mathematics of motion and deformation in computer graphics. Starting with familiar concepts in graphics, such as Euler angles, quaternions, and affine transformations, we illustrate that a mathematical theory behind these concepts enables us to develop the techniques for efficient/effective creation of computer animation. This book, therefore, serves as a good guidepost to mathematics (differential geometry and Lie theory) for students of geometric modeling and animation in computer graphics. Experienced developers and researchers will also benefit from this book, since it gives a comprehensive overview of mathematical approaches that are particularly useful in character modeling, deformation, and animation. Table of Contents: Preface / Symbols and Notations / Introduction / Rigid Transformation / Affine Transformation / Exponential and Logarithm of Matrices / 2D Affine Transformation between Two Triangles / Global 2D Shape Interpolation / Parametrizing 3D Positive Affine Transformations / Further Readings / Bibliography / Authors' Biographies

A comprehensive exploration of the mathematics behind the modeling and rendering of computer graphics scenes Mathematical Structures for Computer Graphics presents an accessible and intuitive approach to the mathematical ideas and techniques necessary for two- and three-dimensional computer graphics. Focusing on the significant mathematical results, the book establishes key algorithms used to build complex graphics scenes. Written for readers with various levels of mathematical background, the book develops a solid foundation for graphics techniques and fills in relevant graphics details often overlooked in the literature. Rather than use a rigid theorem/proof approach, the book provides a flexible discussion that moves from vector geometry through transformations, curve modeling, visibility, and lighting models. Mathematical Structures for Computer Graphics also includes: Numerous examples of two- and three-dimensional techniques along with numerical calculations Plenty of mathematical and programming exercises in each chapter, which are designed particularly for graphics tasks Additional details at the end of each chapter covering historical notes, further calculations, and connected concepts for readers who wish to delve deeper Unique coverage of topics such as calculations with homogeneous coordinates, computational geometry for polygons, use of barycentric coordinates, various descriptions for curves, and L-system techniques for recursive images Mathematical Structures for Computer Graphics is an excellent textbook for undergraduate courses in computer science, mathematics, and engineering, as well as an ideal reference for practicing engineers, researchers, and professionals in computer graphics fields. The book is also useful for those readers who wish to understand algorithms for producing their own interesting computer images.