3D Computer Graphics (3rd Edition) 3rd Edition

by Alan Watt (Author)

13 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0201398557

ISBN-10: 0201398559

Why is ISBN important?

Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

Condition: Used - Good

In Stock. Sold by Murfbooks, Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by Great Georgia Games and Fulfilled by Amazon.

List Price: $76.00
Save: $26.05 (34%)

7 New from $29.99

FREE Shipping.

Turn on 1-Click ordering

More Buying Choices

7 New from $29.99 37 Used from $3.24

44 used & new from $3.24

See All Buying Options

Free%20Two-Day%20Shipping%20for%20College%20Students%20with%20Amazon%20Student

This book provides students with a knowledge of complex and emerging topics in the field of Computer Graphics, including advances in rendering and new material on animation. It will enable the reader to master the fundamentals of 3D computer graphics as well as acting as a complete resource for anyone interested in 3D modelling. It provides detailed coverage of both realistic and non-realistic images.

This is the third edition of a book which deals with the processes involved in converting a mathematical or geometric description of an object into a visualisation that simulates the appearance of a real object. Traditionally computer graphics has created pictures by starting with a very detailed geometric description, subjecting this to a series of transformations that orient a viewer and objects in 3D space, then imitating reality by making the objects look solid and real - a process known as rendering. Nowadays this is proving insufficient for the new demands of moving computer imagery and virtual reality. Much research is being carried out into how to model complex objects, where the nature and shape of the objects changes dynamically and into capturing the richness of the world without having to model every detail explicitly. This text explores and relates thee resulting in diverse synthesis and modelling methods.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The third edition of Alan Watt's 3D Computer Graphics, a bible of computer graphics, includes a CD-ROM full of examples and updated information on graphics and rendering algorithms. The book discusses many of the techniques that have evolved in the seven years since the previous edition was published.

3D Computer Graphics is a textbook, and it's designed for serious programmers creating graphics applications (not end users). Over the course of 16 sections, Watt introduces the concepts and implementation of computer imaging, from "Mathematical Fundamentals of Computer Graphics" to "Representation and Rendering" and ending with "Image-Based Rendering and Photo-Modeling." The last section, devoted to computer animation, includes methods for linked structures, collision detection, and particle animation (to name a few).

Although the topics are sometimes hard to grasp, Mr. Watt writes clearly and concisely, making generous use of diagrams to help convey the principles described in the text.

The accompanying CD-ROM includes over a dozen studies of computer graphics techniques and rendering algorithms. Presented in HTML, the exhaustive studies, each with a matrix of thumbnails, demonstrates the varied achievable results. One minor complaint here: although the thumbnails can be clicked to view a much larger image, the larger versions come in .tif format, which few (if any) Web browsers can view. Users will need another application to view them. Having the large image in .jpg format would have enabled the reader to view it in the already-open Web browser.

3D Computer Graphics is ideally suited to graphics programmers and researchers working to create new medical imaging devices; geological research systems; virtual structural testing systems for aircraft, cars, and spacecraft; or effects and photorealistic Hollywood animation. --Mike Caputo

From the Back Cover

The third edition of this book continues to focus on the 3D aspects of computer graphics, and reflects the growing demand for real-time applications such as games and virtual reality. It also includes new material on Visualization in Scientific Computing and graphics standards such as PHIGS. It deals with the processes involved in converting a mathematical or geometric description of an object -- a computer graphics model -- into a visualization -- a two-dimensional projection -- that simulates the appearance of a real object. Alan Watt provides students with a knowledge of complex and emerging topics in the field of computer graphics, including advances in rendering and new material on animation. This is an appropriate text for a first course on computer graphics at the Junior, Senior or graduate level.

Features

NEW! Chapter on Advanced Radiosity
NEW! Chapter on Animation
NEW! Chapter on Precalculation Techniques
NEW! Material about real-time applications for high complexity, such as progressive mesh optimization, BSP tree, precalculation techniques, and photo-modeling techniques
Enhanced coverage of advances in rendering
Complete revision of material on animation
Includes a CD-ROM with a 400 image study and several computer graphics programs

0201398559B04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Hardcover: 624 pages
Publisher: Addison-Wesley; 3 edition (December 16, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0201398559
ISBN-13: 978-0201398557
Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 1.4 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 13 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #69 in Books > Computers & Technology > Graphics & Design > 3D Graphics
- #155 in Books > Computers & Technology > Digital Audio, Video & Photography > Video Production
- #446 in Books > Textbooks > Computer Science > Graphics & Visualization

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?

NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE

Important information

Ingredients

Example Ingredients

Directions

Example Directions

Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars

5 star

4 star

3 star (0%)

2 star (0%)

1 star

Write a customer review

See all 13 customer reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Peter S. Shirley

Excellent second book for graphics

November 18, 2000

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

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.

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

José Ricardo Rodríguez Abreu

Five Stars

July 12, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Every math for computer graphics is in here.

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Xiangyu Li

Book is very good! Also CD in it!

February 6, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Good quality!

Comment

October 7, 2003

Format: Hardcover

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.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Dr_Solipsist@hotmail.com

Could have rocked...with a few minor adjustments.

February 1, 1999

Format: Hardcover

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.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

A customer

Best general introduction to computer graphics I have

July 20, 1999

Format: Hardcover

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.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Amazon Customer

No Better Book to Learn From

March 29, 2001

Format: Hardcover

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.

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Amazon Customer

Comprehensive Introduction.

January 19, 2001

Format: Hardcover

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.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment