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

by Alan Watt (Author)

18 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0201398557

ISBN-10: 0201398559

Why is ISBN important?

Other Sellers

from

Other Sellers

See all 4 versions

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Hippo Books

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

FREE delivery: Sep 24 - 29

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Ships from and sold by CABMichigan.

List Price: $76.00 Details

Save: $3.80 (5%)

FREE delivery: Sep 20 - 23

1-Click ordering is not available for this item.

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

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Addison-Wesley; 3rd edition (December 16, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 624 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0201398559
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0201398557
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.72 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.6 x 1.4 x 9.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,769,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #214 in 3D Graphic Design
- #733 in Digital Video Production (Books)
- #1,458 in Computer Graphics

Customer Reviews:
18 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		90%
4 star		5%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		5%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

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

Peter S. Shirley

Excellent second book for graphics

Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2000

Verified 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.

19 people found this helpful

Helpful

José Ricardo Rodríguez Abreu

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

Every math for computer graphics is in here.

Helpful

Xiangyu Li

Book is very good! Also CD in it!

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

Good quality!

Helpful

Mr Legume

classic

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2003

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.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

No Better Book to Learn From

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2001

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

Amazon Customer

Comprehensive Introduction.

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2001

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

Khaled El Ghayesh

Very tough

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2004

I am a junior student at Computer Engineering major. I am taking a computer graphics course and unfortunately, the instructor chose this title as the textbook.

I am not saying it is a bad book or something, but it is targeted to people who have some experience with computer graphics.... (e.g: for people doing graduate studies in computer graphics) As for me, my first encounter with computer graphics in this book made me hate the topic so much. The book makes you feel that graphics involve so much mathematics, especially analytic geometry. It is so hard as an introduction to the topic of Computer Graphics.

I would not recommend this book at all as an introduction to computer graphics, it may be good for those who have some (actually a lot) of experience in this so advanced topic.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Xincheng Zhang

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2014

Useful book. Good quality as a used book.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

FredGag

Useful old book not so old

Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2017

Verified Purchase

For an old book, it is not so old and mathematics are well described and a lot of nice drawing to help understanding them. Very good complement to more advanced books like real time rendering Alexander and al. or Direct X from F.Luna.

Ing. Damiano Pagano

Perfetto!

Reviewed in Italy on January 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

Ottimo testo di computer graphics. La spedizione è stata veloce. venditore serio e altamente consigliato. spero di fare nuovamente affari con lui!

Translate review to English

Jun Cao

The book is perfect

Reviewed in Germany on January 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

I received my book today in Germany! Thanks very much for your kind service!
The content of this book is really excellent!

See all reviews

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