Introduction to

Computer Graphics
Computer graphics is the field of visual computing,
where images and animations are created and
displayed using computers. It plays a crucial role in
various industries, from video games and movies to
medical imaging and scientific visualization.

S
Prof. Sonal Shroff
Computer Department
TSEC
What is Computer Graphics?
1 Visual Representation 2 Hardware and Software
Computer graphics is the art It involves the use of specialized
and science of creating and hardware, such as graphics
manipulating visual content, processing units (GPUs), and
including 2D and 3D images, software, like graphics rendering
animations, and virtual engines, to generate and
environments. display these visual elements.

3 Interdisciplinary Field
Computer graphics draws from various disciplines, including computer
science, mathematics, physics, and art, to create visually stunning and
interactive experiences.
Definition - Computer Graphics
The technology that deals with designs and pictures on computers.

1 2 3 4
It is visual representations It is an art of drawing It involves computations, It is a rendering tool to
of data displayed on a pictures on a computer generate and manipulate
creation and manipulation
monitor made using a screen with the help of the images
computer. programming of data
Basic Graphics Hardware
Central Processing Unit Graphics Processing Display Devices
(CPU) Unit (GPU)
Monitors, projectors, and other
The CPU handles general The GPU is a specialized display devices are used to
purpose computations, including hardware component that excels visualise the output of computer
the processing of graphics-related at parallel processing, making it graphics computations.
data. highly efficient for graphics-
intensive tasks.
Rendering Techniques
Rasterization Ray Tracing
Rasterization is the process of converting Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates
geometric shapes and models into a grid of pixels the behavior of light, allowing for more realistic and
for display on a screen. accurate image generation.

Shading Texture Mapping

Shading is the process of determining the color and Texture mapping is the process of applying 2D
appearance of each pixel in a rendered image images (textures) to the surfaces of 3D models,
based on factors like lighting, materials, and enhancing their visual realism.
surface details.
2D Graphics

Pixels Vector Graphics Bitmap Graphics Image Editing

The fundamental building Vector graphics use Bitmap graphics, or 2D graphics often
blocks of 2D graphics mathematical equations raster graphics, store involve image editing
are pixels, which to define shapes and image data as a grid of software, such as
represent individual color lines, allowing for pixels, making them Photoshop, which
dots on a display. scalable and resolution- resolution-dependent. provide tools for
independent images. manipulating and
creating visual content.
3D Graphics

Modeling Animation Rendering

The process of creating 3D Adding movement and dynamic The final step of generating the
objects and environments using behavior to 3D models, such as visual representation of a 3D
various geometric shapes, character animations and scene, including lighting,
surfaces, and textures. simulations. shading, and effects.
Applications of Computer Graphics
Video Games Realistic and immersive gaming experiences

Film and Television Visual effects, animations, and virtual environments

Visualization Data visualization, scientific visualization, and

medical imaging

Design and Architecture 3D modeling, rendering, and virtual prototyping

Cartography Graphical representation of geographical area

Computer Graphics
Display Systems
Computer graphics display systems come in two main types:
raster scan and random scan. Each system has unique
characteristics and capabilities that make it suitable for different
applications.
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 The primary output device in a graphical
system is a video monitor.

Cathode Ray Tube Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is the main

element of video monitor

The operation of CRT

The electron gun emits a beam of
electrons (cathode rays).
The electron beam passes through
focusing and deflection systems that
direct it towards specified positions on
the phosphor-coated screen.
When the beam hits the screen, the
phosphor emits a small spot of light at
each position contacted by the electron
SS beam.
It redraws the picture by directing the
electron beam back over the same
screen points quickly.
Raster Scan Display System
Working Principle Display Memory Applications

In a raster scan display, an Raster scan displays store the Raster scan displays are
electron beam sweeps across the image in a 2D display memory, commonly used in CRT monitors,
screen in a series of horizontal with each memory location LCD screens, and modern digital
lines, painting the image pixel by corresponding to a screen pixel. displays, making them ubiquitous
pixel. in various computing and
entertainment devices.
Raster Scan Display
Mechanism
1 Electron Beam Scanning
The electron beam scans across the screen, painting
pixels in a series of horizontal lines from top to
bottom.

2 Pixel Intensity Control

The intensity of the electron beam is modulated to
control the brightness of each pixel as it is drawn.

3 Frame Buffer
The image data is stored in a frame buffer, which is
continuously read to refresh the display and maintain
the image.
 Raster Scan Display

1 The electron beam is swept across the screen, one row

at a time from top to bottom. As the electron beam
moves across each row, the beam intensity is turned on
and off to create a pattern of illuminated spots.

2 Picture definition is stored in memory area called

the Refresh Buffer or Frame Buffer. This memory area
holds the set of intensity values for all the screen points.
Stored intensity values are then retrieved from the
refresh buffer and “painted” on the screen one row (scan
line) at a time.

3 Each screen point is referred to as a pixel. At the end of

each scan line, the electron beam returns to the left side
of the screen to begin displaying the next scan line
Random Scan Display System
Working Principle Display Memory Applications

In a random scan display, an Random scan displays store the Random scan displays are
electron beam directly draws the image as a list of instructions that commonly used in specialized
image by selectively illuminating direct the electron beam to the applications, such as
the necessary pixels, rather than desired pixels. oscilloscopes and vector-based
scanning the screen sequentially. graphics displays.
Random Scan Display
Mechanism
Electron Beam Positioning
The electron beam is directed to the specific pixels
that need to be illuminated, rather than scanning the
screen sequentially.

Selective Pixel Illumination

The intensity of the electron beam is modulated to
control the brightness of the selected pixels.

Continuous Refreshing
The image is continuously refreshed by repeatedly
drawing the list of instructions that define the desired
image.
Random Scan Display
1 The electron beam is directed only to the part of the
screen where the picture is to be drawn rather than
scanning from left to right and top to bottom as in raster
scan. It is also called vector display, stroke-writing
display, or calligraphic display.

2 Picture definition is stored as a set of line-drawing

commands in an area of memory referred to as
the refresh display file.
To display a specified picture, the system cycles through
3 the set of commands in the display file, drawing each
component line in turn. After all the line-drawing
commands are processed, the system cycles back to the
first line command in the list.
Random-scan displays are designed to draw all the
component lines of a picture 30 to 60 times each second.
Comparison and Conclusion

Resolution Image Quality

Raster scan displays generally Random scan displays can
have higher resolutions. produce higher-quality images.

Power Consumption Complexity

Random scan displays generally Raster scan displays have simpler
have lower power requirements. hardware and software.

In summary, both raster scan and random scan display systems

have unique strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for
different applications. The choice between the two ultimately
depends on the specific requirements of the computer graphics
system.
 Flat Pannel Display

Flat panel display device is a monitor that uses thin panel design as compared to CRT

They have reduced volume, weight and power requirements as compared to a CRT

Current uses for flat-panel displays are

small TV monitors
Calculators
Pocket video games
Laptop computers
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Armrest viewing of movies on airlines

Advertisement boards
Graphics displays in applications requiring rugged and portable monitors
 Flat Pannel Display

Flat-panel displays can be categorized into

Emissive displays
Nonemissive displays
The emissive displays (emitters)
These devices convert electrical energy into light
Ex. – Plasma panels, Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Nonemissive displays (nonemitters)
These devices use optical effects to convert sunlight or light from some other source into graphics patterns.
Ex. – Liquid Crystal Device (LCD)
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 Light Emitting Diode

A matrix of diodes is arranged to form the pixel positions in the display.

Picture definition is stored in a refresh buffer.

The information is read from the refresh buffer and converted to voltage
levels that are applied to the diodes to produce the light patterns in the
display.

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 Liquid Crystal Display

LCDs are commonly used in small systems, such as calculators, laptop

computers

These devices produce a picture by passing polarized light from surroundings

or from an internal light source through a liquid crystal material that can be
aligned to either block or transmit the light.

liquid crystal material – these compounds have a crystalline arrangements of

molecules, yet they flow like a liquid
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Flat panel displays use nematic liquid crystal compounds that tend to keep
the long axes of the rod-shaped molecules aligned.
 Liquid Crystal Display

Flat panel is then constructed with a nematic liquid crystal.

Two glass plates – each has light polarizer at right angles to other plate,
sandwich the liquid crystal material.

Rows of horizontal transparent conductor are put into one glass plate and
columns of vertical conductor are put into the other plate.
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The intersection of two conductors define the pixel position.

 Liquid Crystal Display

Polarized light passing through the material is twisted so that it will pass
through the opposite polarizer.

The light is then reflected back to the user.

To turn off pixel – voltage is applied to the two intersecting conductors to

align the molecules so that the light is not twisted.
This type of flat panel devices are termed as Passive matrix LCD.
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Picture definition is stored in refresh buffer.

Refresh rate is 60 frames/sec
 Liquid Crystal Display

Colors can be displayed by using different materials or dyes and by placing

triad of color pixels at each screen location.

Another method – place transistor at each pixel location, using thin film
transistor technology

Transistors control the voltage at each pixel position and prevent the gradual
leakage of liquid crystal cells
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These devices are called Active matrix displays.