Visualization and Animation Technology (Computer Graphics)

Computer Graphics

A way to produce graphics through computer.
Computer Graphics produce 2D views of objects from 3D models.
E.g. games, cinema, web and printed communication, simulation, design, prototyping.

Interaction & Animation

Interaction is an action among two or more objects or persons, which has an effect on one other.

Animation is a way to manipulate (操纵) static images such that they appear as moving images.

Animation doesn’t foresee interaction, rather is the result of preestablished sequence of actions.

Real-time & Non real-time Graphics

Real-time Graphics are related to applications that need an interactive response.

Computer apps needs to produce graphics fast enough to guarantee interactive response. The opposite one is non real-time graphics.

Photorealistic & Non-Photorealistic Appearance

Photorealistic Appearance means computer generated image that looks as realistic as photograph.

Non-Photorealistic Appearance means computer graphics images that cannot be naturally observed by humans. (现实生活中一般看不到）