Computer Graphics –B.C.A. (VIth sem )

Viral B. Polishwala

Chapter - 6 : Applications of Computer Graphics
Computers have become a powerful tool for the rapid and economical production of pictures. There is virtually no area in which graphical displays cannot be used to some advantage, and so it is not surprising to find the use of computer graphics so widespread. Although early applications in engineering and science had to rely on expensive and cumbersome equipment, advances in computer technology have made interactive computer graphics a practical tool. Today, we find computer graphics used routinely in such diverse areas as science, engineering, medicine, business, industry, government, art, entertainment, advertising, education, and training. Figure 1-1 summarizes the many applications of graphics in simulations, education, and graph presentations. Before we get into the details of how to do computer graphics, we first take a short tour through a gallery of graphics applications.

6.1

Presentation Graphics

One of the major application areas is presentation graphics, used to produce illustrations for reports or to generate 35-mm slides or transparencies for use with projectors. It is used to produce illustrations for reports or to generate slide for with projections. Examples of presentation graphics are bar charts, line graphs, surface graphs, pie charts and displays showing relationships between parameters. 3-D graphics can provide more attraction to the presentation. Presentation graphics is commonly used to summarize financial, statistical, mathematical, scientific, and economic data for research reports, managerial reports, consumer information bulletins, and other types of reports. Workstation devices and service bureaus exist for converting screen displays into 35-mm slides or overhead transparencies for use in presentations. Typical examples of presentation graphics are bar charts, line graphs, surface graphs, pie charts, and other displays showing relationships between multiple parameters.

Fig: 6.1 Chart of sale of shoes in 5 continents

Figure 6.1 gives examples of two-dimensional graphics combined with the sale of shoes in 5 different continents for first 6 months. This illustration shows 5 color coded bar charts combined onto one graph and a pie chart with six sections.

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Computer Graphics –B.C.A. (VIth sem )

Viral B. Polishwala

Fig: 6.2 - 3D bar chart for Code project membership details

Similar graphs and charts can be displayed in three dimensions to provide additional information. Three-dimensional graphs are sometime used simply for effect; they can provide a more dramatic or more attractive presentation of data relationships. The charts in Fig. 6.2 include a three-dimensional bar graph. Three major functions of presentation graphics are: • • • An editor that allows text to be inserted and formatted. A method for inserting and manipulating graphic images, and A slide show system to display the content.

The program that helps users to create presentations such as visual aids, handouts, and overhead slides to process artwork, graphics, and text and produce a series of slides – which help speakers get their message across are presentation graphics software. We may say that presentation graphics is more than just power point presentation because it includes any type of slide presentation, bar chart, pie chart, graphs and multimedia presentation. The key advantage of this software is that it helps you show abstracts of representation of work.

6.2

Entertainment

Using Computer Graphics, we can represent information in a better and more convincing manner. Today, computer graphics has emerged as a new form of art. The entertainment industry became an area where computer graphics has spread its wings. Computer graphics methods are now commonly used in making motion pictures, music videos, and television shows. Sometimes the graphics scenes are displayed by themselves, and sometimes graphics objects are combined with the actors and live scenes.

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Computer Graphics –B.C.A. (VIth sem )

Viral B. Polishwala

Many TV series regularly employ computer graphics method. Graphics objects can be combined with a live action. More and more new experiments with computer graphics are being carried out in the entertainment industry.

Fig:6.3 - Gery’s Game

Fig:6.4 – Jurassic Park

6.3

Education and Training

Computer-generated models of physical, financial, and economic systems are often used as educational aids. Fig:6.5 demonstrate such model of hemoglobin which is generated with graphics as educational aid for medical students. For some training applications, special systems are designed. Examples of such specialized systems are the simulators for practice sessions Fig:6.5 –Computer Generated Model of Hemoglobin captains, aircraft pilots, heavy -equipment operators, and air traffic -control personnel. Some simulators have no video screens; for example, a flight simulator with only a control panel for instrument flying. But most simulators provide graphics screens for visual operation. Two examples of large Software simulators with internal viewing systems are shown in Figs. 6.6 and 6.7.

Fig:6.6 –Driving Simulation Software

Fig:6.7 –Flights Simulation Software

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Computer Graphics –B.C.A. (VIth sem )

Viral B. Polishwala

6.4

Image Processing

Although methods used in computer graphics and Image processing overlap, the two areas are concerned with fundamentally different operations. In computer Graphics, a computer is used to create a picture. Image processing, on the other hand applies techniques to modify or interpret existing pictures, such as photographs and TV scans. Two principal applications of image processing are (1) Improving picture quality and (2) machine perception of visual information, as used in robotics. To apply image processing methods, we first digitize a photograph or other picture into an image file. Then digital methods can be applied to rearrange picture parts, to enhance color separations, or to improve the quality of shading. These techniques are used extensively in commercial art applications that involve the retouching and rearranging of sections of photographs and other artwork. Similar methods are used to analyze satellite photos of the earth and photos of galaxies. Medical applications also Fig: 6.8 - FUMA an image processing tool make extensive use of image processing established by PhenixVision for various digital techniques for picture enhancements, radiography simulations of operations, etc.

6.5

Computer Aided Design

A major use of computer graphics is in design processes, particularly for engineering and architectural systems. For some design applications; objects are first displayed in a wireframe outline form that shows the overall sham and internal features of objects. Software packages for CAD applications typically provide the designer with a multiwindow environment. Each window can show enlarged sections or different views of objects. Standard shapes for electrical, electronic, and logic circuits are often supplied by the design package. The connections between the components have been mad automatically.

Fig: 6.9 – Gear Shaft Design with CAD system

Fig: 6.10 – Building designs with CAD system

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Computer Graphics –B.C.A. (VIth sem )
• • • • • • • •

Viral B. Polishwala

Animations are often used in CAD applications. Real-time animations using wire frame displays are useful for testing performance of a vehicle. Wire frame models allow the designer to see the interior parts of the vehicle during motion. When object designs are complete, realistic lighting models and surface rendering are applied. Manufacturing process of object can also be controlled through CAD. Interactive graphics methods are used to layout the buildings. Three-dimensional interior layouts and lighting also provided. With virtual-reality systems, the designers can go for a simulated walk inside the building.

6.6

Graphical User Interfaces
Nowadays software packages provide graphics user interface (GUI) for the user to work easily. A major component in GUI is Windows. Multiple windows can be opened at a time. To activate any one of the window, the user needs just to check on that window. Menus and icons are used for fast selection of processing operations. Icons are used as shortcut to perform functions. The advantages of icons are which takes less screen space. And some other interfaces like text box, buttons, and list are also used.

Fig: 6.11 – Graphical user interface of Windows OS.

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