Customer Reviews

3D Computer Graphics (3rd Edition)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I suppose if you've been around the block with respect to computer graphics, you could do very well with this book. Watt covers all sorts of topics- with ray tracing and radiosity providing a very large section of the text's coverage.

Unfortunately, for the beginner it's too overwhelming. There is relatively little coverage of linear algebra and the other mathematical basics needed for understanding much of what Watt is talking about. Often times, the author will mention a technique or subject of some sort about which a novice to the field will have no idea whatsoever. It gets confusing at times.

The chapters themselves are also organized in an "unusual" fashion- for instance, spline curves are introduced right at the beginning with an in-depth coverage sure to scare off anyone new to the field. More basic ideas- such as how 3d transformations actually work- are deferred until later chapters.

And while some chapters are quite well-written, the more advanced subjects (ray-tracing and radiosity) are often plunged into in-depth without enough preparation, leaving most readers scratching their heads as to what in the world is going on.

With all that said, Watt's book should prove useful to anyone reasonably familiar with 3D graphics who might be looking to understand more advanced concepts. It's a well-written book (aside from a few typos), just not one for the uninitiated.

The other reviews are right that this is not a beginner's book. However, it is a terrific book for those that are familiar with the basics of graphics and want to learn a very modern view of modeling and rendering. There are a few rough spots, but overall the book is well-written, nicely illustrated, and extremely up-to-date. Also, the author really seems to understand the material in both rendering and modeling. That alone makes the book a real treat.

Contrary to what the other reviews say, I believe this is an excellent book for beginners in the 3D computer graphics world. However, that being said, you will need some basic math skills to be able to understand and apply the concepts in this book. If you are unfamilar with linear algebra, you should probably start with studying up on your math skills first. With the basic math skills, this book does a great job of introducing the basics to almost every major topic you'll see in 3D computer graphics programming. The book doesn't go into great detail at times, but the simplicity of this book is the winning ingredient that allows beginners to grasp the basics before moving on to indepth research in paticular topics of 3D graphics that interest them.

After reading Foley, et. al. I found this book refreshing. While there is much not covered, the wealth of information for the beginner is very good. Also, whereas Foley covers many aspects of computer graphics outside of 3D, this one doesn't meaning that by Chapter 2 you're talking about the math involved, rather than waiting until Chapter 5. Also, this book covers curved surfaces as a good introduction, perhaps a little too early, and presents it well. Chapter 3, Viewing Systems is the best introduction to the transformation and projection process I've encountered and Chapter 5 is a good introduction into the entire rendering pipeline, including shading techniques. There is lots of math for those who want it (and everyone will eventually need it), but it doesn't take away from the topic if you skip it the first time around.

Some of the drawbacks is the he uses a left handed coordinate system, while I greatly prefer right and is the mathematical standard, meaning unless you know this, you'll have some strange problems. Other than that, I would recommend this one over Foley's "Bible" to everyone.

I have an earlier version of this book and I've always found it to be one that I return to time and again. It was one of the first three graphics programming books I bought during the same early career book shopping session, it was definately the most useful of the three and it's stayed with me ever since, where other books have been and gone.

It's generally very easy to read and very informative. It has a good progression of topics that introduce the reader to graphics programming concepts.

The thing I most like about this is that it covers much of the foley and van dam book, but avoids the many irrelevant sections and is a little more to the point. It's like a more concise reference to that book, which is also one that I would recommend.

The only thing I don't like about the updated version is the new layout, typeface and style. The old version just seems so much more appealing to me.

If you program game or computer graphics, then this is a reliable book to have in your collection.

I think the book achieves it's goal. First of all, this book is NOT for beginners, and it's not intended to be such. So I have no complaints about it not catering to beginners as the previous reviewer did. You are expected to already know something about 3D graphics, so if you are a beginner, go buy a beginner book. If anything, I felt the book was not nearly enough in depth, but rather, presented a mix of the latest graphics techniques, (mostly related to CAD), without enough detail for each topic. Many times, the author tells you to simply refer to white papers by some researcher done back in the 70's or 80's if you want more information on the particular algorithm. This book is more of a college text format, where you get decent introductions to 3D topics without too much depth. It's good if you are looking for a quick overview of 3D in order to 'see what's out there'. All in all, it's fair for what it was intended to be.

This is an excellent book for all those who want to delve into the theory and process of computer graphics. Some basic concepts are covered in vague detail, and some other reading into concepts such as vector maths, are required. But it provides a solid foundation for programmers, artists, and the alike. The book is not terribly detailed, thus may not serve the purposes of an advance CG artist. But regardless, a book that I will be refering to a lot.

This book presents all the basic elements concerning 3D graphics, such as geometric modeling, view projctions, rendering, texture mapping, etc... The teaching style of the author is great, which means that this book is fully understandable. However, I'd like to see the written algorithms in C or C++ and not in the elementary Pascal language.

Wow, this book had the potential of being so much better. The organization is in, I find, a very odd colated fashion. This has the effect of confusing even the most capable reader not already familiar with the various implementations. For instance: with the section on "Viewing Systems" there are 5 five such systems described. Instead of giving a complete account of any one in any one place, like aspects of each are distributed in groups across the section. This makes things very difficult on the novice who is seeking to first form a general abraction of a process before proceeding to gather the details. The only source in the book is a wireframe implementation in one of the appendices; I did not mind this per se, however it's rendered in of all languages PASCAL!! (I have a particular dislike of the language if you can't tell) Apparently C was JUST becoming popular when and where the book was written. Experts in the field of Computer Graphics are, I imagine, more likely to take to this book with an appreciation of it's merits.

All things aside however this is a fairly comprehensive book and a worthy addition to any programmer's library. Novices (teen game programmers like myself especially!) take heed that some patience may be required and some brain-power to spare wouldn't be bad either.

I would recommend the author to learn how to speak English before to write a book.