The Quest for Visual Realism

CMSC 161: Interactive Computer

Graphics
Introduction
In previous chapters, we learned graphics techniques
involving simple 2D and 3D primitives
In real life, however, objects are significantly more
complex in both structure and appearance
Why Realism?
The creation of realistic pictures is an important goal in
these fields:
Simulation: present images that are not only realistic, but also change
dynamically
Design: creating realistic computer-generated images is often an easier,
less expensive and more effective way to see preliminary results
Entertainment and Advertising: both in traditional animated cartoons and
realistic and surrealistic images for logos, advertisements and science
fiction movies
Research and Education: e.g. molecular modeling
Command and Control: The user needs to be informed about and to control,
the complex process represented by the picture. Often create symbolic
displays that emphasize certain data and suppress others to aid in decision
making.

Fundamental Difficulties
Complexity of the real world surface textures, subtle
color gradation, shadows, reflections, and slight
irregularities in the surrounding objects
A more easily met subgoal in the quest for realism is to
provide sufficient information to let the viewer understand
the 3D spatial relationships among several objects
Fundamental Difficulties
One long-standing difficulty in depicting spatial
relationships is that most display devices are 2D
Therefore, 3D objects must be projected into 2D, with
considerable attendant loss of information which can
sometimes create ambiguities in the image
The more the viewers know about the object being
displayed, the more readily they can form an object
hypothesis
Depth Cueing
Depth cueing
parts of objects that are intended to appear farther
from the viewer are displayed at lower intensity
depict distance as aerial perspective
http://docs.autodesk.com
Depth Clipping
Depth clipping back clipping plane is placed so as to
cut through the objects being displayed

Cross-Hatching
Simple vector textures, such as cross-hatching, follow
the shape of an object and delineate it more clearly

Rendering Techniques for Line Drawings
Multiple Orthographic Views
Axonometric and Oblique Projections
Perspective Projections
Depth Cueing
Depth Clipping
Texture
Color
Visible-Line Determination
Rendering Techniques for Shaded Images
Visible-Surface Determination
Illumination and Shading
Interpolated Shading (+ Curved Surfaces)
Material Properties
Texture
Shadows
Transparency and Reflection
Improved Camera Models
Exploded and Cutaway Views