3D computer graphics
hide3D computer graphics (in contrast to 2D computer graphics) are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. Such images may be for later display or for real-time viewing.
Despite these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D computer vector graphics in the wire-frame model and 2D computer raster graphics in the final rendered display. In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.
3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living). A model is not technically a graphic until it is visually displayed. Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space. A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations.
For more information about 3D computer graphics, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with 3d
Touchable Hologram Becomes Reality (w/ Video)
Aug 06, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (51) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed 3D holograms that can be touched with bare hands. Generally, holograms can't be felt because they're made only of light. But the new ...
The Origin of Artificial Species: Creating Artificial Personalities
Technology / Computer Sciences
May 14, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (10) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Does your robot seem to be acting a bit neurotic? Maybe it's just their personality. Recently, a team of researchers has designed computer-coded genomes for artificial creatures in which a ...
Creating 3D models with a simple webcam (w/ Video)
Technology / Computer Sciences
Nov 11, 2009 |
5 / 5 (25) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Constructing virtual 3D models usually requires heavy and expensive equipment, or takes lengthy amounts of time. A group of researchers at the University of Cambridge, Qi Pan, Dr Gerhard Reitmayr ...
3D TV -- Without the Glasses (w/ Video)
Oct 29, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (12) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Even with "active shutter" 3D technology for television sets, the wearing of special glasses is still required in order to get the proper experience. They aren't those red and blue or red and ...
Sony Unveils 360-Degree 3D Display (w/ Video)
Oct 22, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Today at the DC Expo in Tokyo, Sony has introduced a new 3D display that can be viewed from any direction. Unlike many 3D displays, the new display does not require glasses to view the 3D ...
Active Shutter 3D Technology for HDTV
Sep 25, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (14) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Sony and Panasonic have recently announced a new technology, called "active shutter" for producing the experience of 3D on high definition TVs. The first models are expected to be available ...
Superior 3D Graphics for the Web a Step Closer
Sep 22, 2009 |
4.1 / 5 (17) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The development of improved three-dimensional graphics in Web-based applications took a step forward recently, when programmers began building WebGL into the Mozilla Firefox nightly builds, ...
Nokia Showcases 3D Cell Phone
Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets
Sep 04, 2009 |
3.5 / 5 (4) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Finnish giant Nokia, the world's biggest phone manufacturer, is developing a 3D mobile phone with a stereoscopic display. And you don't need 3D glasses to get the three-dimensional effect.
Chemists Reach from the Molecular to the Real World with Creation of 3-D DNA Crystals
Sep 02, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (6) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- New York University chemists have created three-dimensional DNA structures, a breakthrough bridging the molecular world to the world where we live. The work, reported in the latest issue of ...
Scientists Image the 'Anatomy' of a Molecule (w/ Video)
Aug 28, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (43) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- For the first time, IBM researchers in Zurich, Switzerland, have taken a 3D image of an individual molecule. Using an atomic force microscope, the researchers constructed a "force map" of ...
Scary ancient spiders revealed in 3-D models, thanks to new imaging technique (w/ Video)
Aug 05, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (8) |
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Early relatives of spiders that lived around 300 million years ago are revealed in new three-dimensional models, in research published today in the journal Biology Letters.
Hollywood places biggest 3-D bet yet on 'Avatar'
Jul 24, 2009 |
3.5 / 5 (4) |
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(AP) -- When James Cameron directed his first 3-D film, "Terminator 2: 3-D," for Universal Studios theme parks more than a decade ago, the bulky camera equipment made some shots awkward or impossible.
YouTube in 3D?
Jul 23, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Back on April 1, Google instigated a prank that allowed users to see an effect on Google Chrome that looked like 3D. It was actually pretty cool. But it seems as though that wasn't the onl ...
See your photos in 3D on new website
Technology / Computer Sciences
Jul 09, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (13) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- You could turn your holiday snaps or favourite figurines into three-dimensional images with new free software developed by a researcher from Queensland University of Technology and the Australasian ...
Google Chrome Goes 3D
Apr 04, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (4) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- On April 1, Google announced the launch of Google Chrome with 3D. The next day, the Google blog announced (for those who didn't catch on) that it was an April Fool's joke. But still, for the ...
