The History of Visual Magic in Computers: How Beautiful Images are Made in CAD, 3D, VR and AR - Softcover

Peddie, Jon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1447149319 ISBN 13: 9781447149316

Publisher: Springer, 2013

Synopsis

If you have ever looked at a fantastic adventure or science fiction movie, or an amazingly complex and rich computer game, or a TV commercial where cars or gas pumps or biscuits behaved liked people and wondered, “How do they do that?”,  then you’ve experienced the magic of 3D worlds generated by a computer.

3D in computers began as a way to represent automotive designs and illustrate the construction of molecules. 3D graphics use evolved to visualizations of simulated data and artistic representations of imaginary worlds.

In order to overcome the processing limitations of the computer, graphics had to exploit the characteristics of the eye and brain, and develop visual tricks to simulate realism. The goal is to create graphics images that will overcome the visual cues that cause disbelief and tell the viewer this is not real.

Thousands of people over thousands of years have developed the building blocks and made the discoveries in mathematics and science to make such 3D magic possible, and The History of Visual Magic in Computers is dedicated to all of them and tells a little of their story.

It traces the earliest understanding of 3D and then foundational mathematics to explain and construct 3D; from mechanical computers up to today’s tablets. Several of the amazing computer graphics algorithms and tricks came of periods where eruptions of new ideas and techniques seem to occur all at once. Applications emerged as the fundamentals of how to draw lines and create realistic images were better understood, leading to hardware 3D controllers that drive the display all the way to stereovision and virtual reality.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Jon Peddie is one of the pioneers of the graphics industry, and formed Jon Peddie Research (JPR) to provide customer intimate consulting and market forecasting services. Peddie lectures at numerous conferences on topics pertaining to graphics technology and the emerging trends in digital media technology. Recently named one of the most influential analysts, he is frequently quoted in trade and business publications, and contributes articles to numerous publications including – as well as appearing on – CNN and TechTV.

Review

From the reviews:

“This specialized book is useful to those interested in a detailed historical account of the various technologies that contributed to the development of realistic 3-D computer graphics. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above.” (C. Tappert, Choice, Vol. 51 (8), April, 2014)

“It is dedicated to ‘the thousands of people over thousands of years who have developed the building blocks and made the discoveries in mathematics and science to make such 3D magic possible.’ ... The brilliant timing of The History of Visual Magic in Computer ... provides a new magical dimension on the time span to the topic, both fascinating information and indispensable references ... . A must see for those who want to keep up with evolutionary graphics!!” (ComputeScotland.com, August, 2013)

“Peddie, a renowned industry analyst and lecturer at the forefront of the computer graphics industry, has chronicled the developments that have led to these wonderful images. They are all based on 3D geometry, and he begins the story with the first major 3D implementations-the pyramids-and ends with the implementation we know today ... . Written in a narrative style with ample references for those interested in digging deeper. ... This book is a historical and visual treat with some amazing images.” (cgw.com, June, 2013)

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1447149319
• ISBN 13: 9781447149316
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 489