Introduction to Implicit Surfaces (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Graphics) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 155860233X ISBN 13: 9781558602335

Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann, 1997

Synopsis

Implicit surfaces offer special effects animators, graphic designers, CAD engineers, graphics students, and hobbyists a new range of capabilities for the modeling of complex geometric objects. In contrast to traditional parametric surfaces, implicit surfaces can easily describe smooth, intricate, and articulatable shapes. These powerful yet easily understood surfaces are finding use in a growing number of graphics applications.

This comprehensive introduction develops the fundamental concepts and techniques of implicit surface modeling, rendering, and animating in terms accessible to anyone with a basic background in computer graphics.

+ provides a thorough overview of implicit surfaces with a focus on their applications in graphics
+ explains the best methods for designing, representing, and visualizing implicit surfaces
+ surveys the latest research

With contributions from seven graphics authorities, this innovative guide establishes implicit surfaces as a powerful and practical tool for animation and rendering.

About this title

About the Author

For over three decades, eminent computer graphicist Jim Blinn has coupled his scientific knowledge and artistic abilities to foster the growth of the computer graphics field. His many contributions include the Voyager flyby animations of space missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus; The Mechanical Universe, a 52-part telecourse of animated physics; and the computer animation of Carl Sagan's PBS series Cosmos. In addition, Blinn is the recipient of the SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Achievement Award as well as the SIGGRAPH Coons Award, and has developed many widely used graphics techniques, including bump mapping, environment mapping, and blobby modeling. In 2000, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He currently works at Microsoft Research.

From the Back Cover

Implicit surfaces offer special effects animators, graphic designers, CAD engineers, graphics students, and hobbyists a new range of capabilities for the modeling of complex geometric objects. In contrast to traditional parametric surfaces, implicit surfaces can easily describe smooth, intricate, and articulatable shapes. These powerful yet easily understood surfaces are finding use in a growing number of graphics applications.

This comprehensive introduction develops the fundamental concepts and techniques of implicit surface modeling, rendering, and animating in terms accessible to anyone with a basic background in computer graphics

With contributions from seven graphics authorities, this innovative guide establishes implicit surfaces as a powerful and practical tool for animation and rendering.

Features:
+ Provides a thorough overview of implicit surfaces with a focus on their applications in graphics
+ Explains the best methods for designing, representing, and visualizing implicit surfaces
+ Surveys the latest research

Edition details

• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 155860233X
• ISBN 13: 9781558602335
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 332
• Editor: Bloomenthal Jules