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Graphics know-how
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ELSA GLADIAC
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EN
Graphics know-how
This is the chapter where we really get stuck in. Anyone who wants to know
more about graphics—especially in connection with the
ELSA GLADIAC
—
will find a whole load of technical stuff right here.
3D graphics representation
Today it is considered de rigueur to know all about 3D. Your curiosity will be
aroused as soon as you experience the first visual wizardry generated by your
new graphics board. Two features of the 3D display will leap out at you: it's
both realistic and fast. The amount of work required here is known only to
the processor, but we will describe it in detail to you below.
The 3D pipeline
What actually happens when a monitor displays a 3D object? The data
describing the 3D object are passed through what is known as the 3D
pipeline, in which the mathematical calculations for its representation in
space and perspective on the monitor are carried out. What happens in
detail?
Start: The object data
The pipeline starts at the object. The object description is made up of the
data (points). The basic geometric primitive is the triangle. The corner points
of the object's triangles are described using coordinate points (x, y and z),
where the 'z' value represents the depth information. Depending on the
display representation, these points are assigned additional data regarding
material and texture. This conversion of image data immensely increases the
amount of data that has to be processed.
Geometrical transformation
This part of the 3D pipeline is very processor-intensive, as all the calculations
for the 3D scene are carried out at this stage. Simplified, it comprises the
following steps:
Object data
Geometrical
transformation
Rendering
Display on
the monitor
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