Computer Graphics

1. Discuss the following issues with your partner.

A. What is computer graphics?

B. How does it differ from the common graphics?

C. Can you name the fields of human activity that use computer graphics?

D. Why it is so popular nowadays?

2. Match the words with their definitions.

1. icon	a. to clarify or explain the meaning of; elucidate
2. to interpret	b. relating to, resembling, or possessing a digit or digits
3. accurate	c. relating to any of various systems which can manipulate data in a variety of forms, such as sound, graphics, or text
4. digital	d. to include or contain something
5. multimedia	e. to provide (someone) with adequate power, means, opportunity, or authority (to do something)
6. to comprise	f. faithfully representing or describing the truth
7. pixel	g. to form a mental image of (something incapable of being viewed or not at that moment visible)
8. to visualize	h. any of a number of very small picture elements that make up a picture, as on a visual display unit
9. computer-generated	i. a pictorial representation of a facility available on a computer system, that enables the facility to be activated by means of a screen cursor rather than by a textual instruction
10. to enable	j. something created by using computers

3. Read the text and decide on a suitable title for it.

(1) Computer graphics are graphics created by computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer.

The term computer graphics includes almost everything on computers that is not text or sound. Today nearly all computers use some graphics and users expect to control their computer through icons and pictures rather than just by typing. The term Computer Graphics has several meanings:

1) the representation and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer;

2) the various technologies used to create and manipulate such pictorial data;

3) the images so produced, and the sub-field of computer science which studies methods for digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content.

Today computers and computer-generated images concern many aspects of our daily life. Computer imagery is found on television, in newspapers, in weather reports, and during surgical procedures. A well-constructed graph can present complex statistics in a form that is easier to understand and interpret. Such graphs are used to illustrate papers, reports, theses, and other presentation material. A range of tools and facilities are available to enable users to visualize their data, and computer graphics are used in many disciplines.

(2) During the late 1970s, personal computers became more powerful, capable of drawing both basic and complex shapes and designs. In the 1980s, artists and graphic designers began to see the personal computer, particularly the Commodore Amiga and Macintosh, as a serious design tool, one that could save time and draw more accurately than other methods. 3D computer graphics became possible in the late 1980s with the powerful SGI computers, which were later used to create some of the first fully computer-generated short films at Pixar. The Macintosh remains one of the most popular tools for computer graphics in graphic design studios and businesses.

Modern computer systems, dating from the 1980s and onwards, often use a graphical user interface (GUI) to present data and information with symbols, icons and pictures, rather than text. Graphics are one of the five key elements of multimedia technology.

3D graphics became more popular in the 1990s in gaming, multimedia and animation. In 1996, Quake, one of the first fully 3D games, was released. In 1995, Toy Story, the first full-length computer-generated animation film, was released in cinemas worldwide. Since then, computer graphics have become more accurate and detailed, due to more advanced computers and better 3D modelling software applications, such as Cinema 4D.

(3) 2D computer graphics are the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models, such as 2D geometric models, text, and digital images, and by techniques specific to them. The word may stand for the branch of computer science that comprises such techniques, or for the models themselves. 2D computer graphics are mainly used in applications that were originally developed upon traditional printing and drawing technologies, such as typography, cartography, technical drawing, advertising, etc.

3D computer graphics in contrast to 2D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data 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.

(4) Computer animation is the art of creating moving images via the use of computers. It is a subfield of computer graphics and animation. It is mainly created by means of 3D computer graphics, though 2D computer graphics are still widely used for stylistic, low bandwidth, and faster real-time rendering needs. Sometimes the target of the animation is the computer itself, but sometimes the target is another medium, such as film. It is also referred to as CGI (Computer-generated imagery or computer-generated imaging), especially when used in films.

To create the illusion of movement, an image is displayed on the computer screen then quickly replaced by a new image that is similar to the previous image, but shifted slightly. This technique is identical to the illusion of movement in television and motion pictures.

(5) A digital image is a representation of a two-dimensional image using ones and zeros (binary). In digital imaging, a pixel is the smallest piece of information in an image. Pixels are normally arranged in a regular 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using dots or squares.

Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, line art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images. Graphics often combine text, illustration, and color.

4. Define whether the following statements are true or false. Give the correct answer.

1. A pixel is the biggest piece of information in an image.

2. To create the illusion of movement, an image is displayed on the computer screen then quickly replaced by a new image that is similar to the previous image, but shifted slightly.

3. 2D computer graphics are mainly used in applications that were originally developed upon traditional printing and drawing technologies.

4. Personal computers became more powerful, capable of drawing both basic and complex shapes and designs in the late 1980s.

5. Computer graphics is the representation and manipulation of pictorial data by a computer.

5. Now skim through the text and choose the best title to each paragraph.

1. The art of computer animation.

2. Computer graphics as it is.

3. The variety of digital images.

4. What is graphics?

5. The history of computer graphics development.

6. Work in pairs. Share your opinion with a partner.

1. What is 2D and 3D? In what way do they differ?

2. Where can computer imagery be found?

3. What is computer animation?

4. How the illusion of movement is created?

5. When did personal computers become more powerful?

6. In what areas did 3D graphics become popular in the 1990s?

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