Guide to Graphics Software Tools (Springer Professional Computing) - Hardcover

Chen, Jim X

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387950494 ISBN 13: 9780387950495

Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York Inc., 2002

Synopsis

Today, graphics software tools open up new areas and form into different combinations of multiple functions. Learning graphics programming is time consuming, and the many new graphics tools might seem overwhelming. If we know how graphics work and what basic functions the graphics tools provide, we can understand and employ some of the tools without spending much precious time to learn all the details that may not be applicable. There are many books on graphics principles and practice already. However, there is no book available as a helpful entry point on widely used graphics software tools for specialists and nonspecialists alike. Today, many scientists in different disciplines realize the power of graphics, but are also bewildered by the numerous graphics tools. More often than not, they choose the improper software tools and end up with unsatisfactory results. This book introduces and categorizes the most commonly used graphics tools and their applications. The purpose is not to provide an exhausting list of tools and their explicit functions, but instead to provide scientific researchers different means and application areas in computer graphics, and help to efficiently use visualization, modeling, simulation, and virtual reality to complement their research needs. The guide will include coverage of the most widely used commercial software, freeware and open-source software. Aproposal attachedU

About this title

From the Back Cover

Current graphics software and hardware combine to allow multiple-level functionality and open up new application areas for scientists of all disciplines, and for computer scientists and engineers in particular.

This thoroughly revised integrated guide explains and lists readily available graphics software tools and their applications, while also serving as a shortcut to graphics theory and programming. The second edition grounds readers in fundamental concepts and helps them use visualization, modeling, simulation, and virtual reality to complement and improve their work.

Features:

· Comprehensive and practical coverage of software graphics tools

· Includes 6 new chapters on OpenGL Programming in Java, Curved Models, Vertex Shading, Pixel Shading and Parallel Processing, Programming in Java3D, OpenGL Shading Language, Direct3D Shader Programming [NEW]

· Updated graphics software tools, with new information and format [NEW]

· Additional descriptions and examples [NEW]

· Provides a uniquely categorized compendium of 293 3D graphics software tools

· Concise listings of platforms and pricing, applications, examples, functions, and related Web resources

· Shortcuts to practical graphics principles and methods

· Contains extensive appendices including the addition of basic mathematics in 3D graphics [NEW]

· Extensive pointers to websites and other proven helpful sources

· Combines theory and OpenGL programming with an easy-to-follow approach

A concise, practical introduction to graphics theory and programming, practitioners as well as advanced students will find this accessible revised text an authoritative and useful catalogue of working software tools and methods.

Professor Jim X. Chen is the Director of the Computer Graphics Laboratory at George Mason University and Editor of the Visualization column, and the Visualization Portal, for the IEEE magazine, Computing in Science and Engineering. In addition he is the author of the successful Springer book Foundations of 3D Graphics Programming: Using JOGL and Java3D, also now in its second edition.

Key Topics:

OpenGL Programming in Java (NEW)

Curved Models (NEW)

Vertex and Pixel Shading in Cg on Java Platform (NEW)

Programming in Java3D (NEW)

OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL) in C/C++ (NEW)

Direct3D and High Level Shading Language Programming (NEW)

Objects and Models

Transformation and Viewing

Color and Lighting

Blending and Texture Mapping

Synopsis

Today, graphics software tools open up new areas and form into different combinations of multiple functions. Learning graphics programming is time consuming, and the many new graphics tools might seem overwhelming. If we know how graphics work and what basic functions the graphics tools provide, we can understand and employ some of the tools without spending much precious time to learn all the details that may not be applicable. There are many books on graphics principles and practice already. However, there is no book available as a helpful entry point on widely used graphics software tools for specialists and nonspecialists alike. Today, many scientists in different disciplines realize the power of graphics, but are also bewildered by the numerous graphics tools. More often than not, they choose the improper software tools and end up with unsatisfactory results. This book introduces and categorizes the most commonly used graphics tools and their applications.

The purpose is not to provide an exhausting list of tools and their explicit functions, but instead to provide scientific researchers different means and application areas in computer graphics, and help to efficiently use visualization, modeling, simulation, and virtual reality to complement their research needs. The guide will include coverage of the most widely used commercial software, freeware and open-source software. Aproposal attachedU

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387950494
• ISBN 13: 9780387950495
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 532