In the age of information technology, computer graphics has become widespread throughout the world. Why is she so popular? Where does it apply? And in general, what is computer graphics? Let's figure it out!
Computer graphics: what is it?
The easiest way is science. In addition, this is one of the sections of computer science. He is studying how to process and format a graphic image using a computer.
Computer graphics lessons today exist both in schools and in higher educational institutions. And it is difficult today to find an area where it would not be in demand.
Also to the question: "What is computer graphics?" - You can answer that this is one of the many areas of computer science and, in addition, refers to the youngest: it has existed for about forty years. Like any other science, it has its own specific subject, goals, methods and tasks.
What tasks does computer graphics solve?
If we consider this section of computer science in a broad sense, we can see that computer graphics tools allow you to solve the following three types of tasks:
1) Translation of the verbal description into a graphic image.
2) The task of pattern recognition, that is, the translation of the picture into a description.
3) Editing graphic images.
Directions of computer graphics
Despite the fact that the scope of this area of computer science is undoubtedly extremely wide, one can single out the main areas of computer graphics, where it has become an important means of solving emerging problems.
First, an illustrative direction. It is the widest of all, since it covers tasks ranging from simple data visualization to the creation of animated films.
Secondly, the self-developing direction: computer graphics, the themes and possibilities of which are truly limitless, allows you to expand and improve your skills.
Thirdly, a research direction. It includes an image of abstract concepts. That is, the use of computer graphics is aimed at creating an image of what does not have a physical analogue. What for? As a rule, in order to show the model for clarity, or to trace the change in parameters and adjust them.
What types of computer graphics are there?
Once again: what is computer graphics? This is a section of computer science that studies methods and means of processing and creating graphic images using technology. There are four types of computer graphics, despite the fact that there are a huge number of different programs for processing pictures using a computer. These are raster, vector, fractal and 3-D graphics.
What are their distinguishing features? First of all, the types of computer graphics differ according to the principles of the formation of illustrations when displayed on paper or on a monitor screen.
Raster graphics
The basic element of a bitmap or illustration is a dot. Provided that the picture is on the screen, the point is called a pixel. Each of the image pixels has its own parameters: color and location on the canvas. Of course, the smaller the pixel sizes and the larger their number, the better the picture looks.
The main problem of a raster image is the large amounts of data.
The second drawback of raster graphics is the need to enlarge the image in order to consider the details.
In addition, at high magnification, the image is pixelated, that is, its division into pixels, which greatly distorts the illustration.
Vector graphics
The elementary component of vector graphics is the line. Naturally, lines are also present in the raster chart, but they are considered as a set of points. And in vector graphics, everything that is drawn is a collection of lines.
This type of computer graphics is ideal for storing high-precision images, such as, for example, drawings and diagrams.
The information in the file is stored not as a graphic image, but in the form of coordinates of points with the help of which the program recreates the picture.
Accordingly, for each of the line points one of the memory cells is reserved. It should be noted that in vector graphics the amount of memory occupied by one object remains unchanged, and also does not depend on its size and length. Why it happens? Because the line in the vector graphics is set in the form of several parameters, or, more simply, a formula. No matter what we do with it in the future, only the parameters of the object will change in the memory cell. The number of memory cells will remain the same.
Thus, we can conclude that vector files, in comparison with raster files, occupy a much smaller amount of memory.
3D graphics
3D-graphics, or three-dimensional graphics, studies the methods and techniques for creating three-dimensional models of objects that are as real as possible. Similar images can be viewed from all sides.
Smooth surfaces and a variety of graphic shapes are used to create voluminous illustrations. With their help, the artist first creates the frame of the future object, and then the surface is covered with materials that visually look like real ones. Next, gravity, lightening, atmospheric properties and other parameters of the space in which the depicted object is located are made. Then, provided that the object is moving, set the trajectory of movement and its speed.
Fractal graphics
A fractal is a drawing consisting of identical elements. A large number of images are fractals. For example, Koch’s snowflake, Mandelbrot’s set, Sierpinski’s triangle, as well as the “dragon” of Harter-Heithey.
A fractal pattern can be constructed either using some algorithm, or by automatically creating an image, which is carried out by calculations according to given formulas.
Image modification occurs when changes are made to the structure of the algorithm or when coefficients in the formula are changed.
The main advantage of fractal graphics is that only formulas and algorithms are saved in the image file .
Computer Graphics Applications
However, it should be noted that the selection of these areas is very arbitrary. In addition, it can be detailed and expanded.
So, we list the main areas of computer graphics:
1) modeling;
2) design;
3) display of visual information;
4) user interface creation.
Where is computer graphics used?
In engineering programming, three-dimensional computer graphics are widely used. Computer science primarily came to the aid of engineers and mathematicians. By means of three-dimensional graphics, modeling of physical objects and processes takes place, for example, in animation, computer games and cinema.
Raster graphics are widely used in the development of printing and multimedia publications. Very rarely, illustrations that are performed using raster graphics are created using computer programs manually. Often, for this purpose, scanned images that the artist made on a photograph or paper are used.
In the modern world, digital cameras and video cameras are widely used to enter bitmap photos into a computer. Accordingly, the vast majority of graphic editors that are designed to work with raster graphics, are focused not on image creation, but on editing and processing.
Raster images are used on the Internet in the event that there is a need to convey the entire color gamut.
But programs for working with vector graphics, on the contrary, are most often used to create illustrations, if for processing. Such funds are often used in publishing houses, editorial offices, design bureaus and advertising agencies.
Using vector graphics, it is much easier to solve issues of design work, which are based on the use of simple elements and fonts.
Undoubtedly, there are examples of highly artistic vector works, but they are the exception rather than the rule, for the simple reason that the preparation of illustrations using vector graphics is extremely difficult.
To automatically create images using mathematical calculations, software tools working with factorial graphics have been created. It is in programming, and not in design or drawing, that the creation of factorial composition consists. Factorial graphics are rarely used to create an electronic or printed document, but they are often used for entertainment purposes.