HA7 Task 2 - Displaying 3D Polygon Animations

Display of 3D Models

API

Application Program Interface

An API is a set of commands, functions, and protocols which programmers can use when building software for a specific operating system. The API allows programmers to use predefined functions to interact with the operating system, instead of writing them from scratch.

All computer operating systems, such as Windows, Unix, and the Mac OS, provide an application program interface for programmers. APIs are also used by video game consoles and other hardware devices that can run software programs. While the API makes the programmer's job easier, it also benefits the end user, since it ensures all programs using the same API will have a similar user interface. http://techterms.com/definition/api

Graphic Pipeline

In 3D graphics rendering, the stages required to transform a three-dimensional image into a two-dimensional screen. The stages are responsible for processing information initially provided just as properties at the end points (vertices) or control points of the geometric primitives used to describe what is to be rendered. The typical primitives in 3D graphics are lines and triangles. The type of properties provided per vertex include x-y-z coordinates, RGB values, translucency, texture, reflectivity and other characteristics.

An Assembly Line
Graphics rendering is like a manufacturing assembly line with each stage adding something to the previous one. Within a graphics processor, all stages are working in parallel. Because of this pipeline architecture, today's graphics processing units (GPUs) perform billions of geometry calculations per second. They are increasingly designed with more memory and more stages, so that more data can be worked on at the same time. http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/43933/graphics-pipeline

The graphic pipeline follows the long process in order to generate 2D image view out of 3D shapes with all the textures and lighting added. The process differs through definitions and softwares but remains similar and the outcome is pretty much the same (it's like if few people would do the same mathematical equation, each using their own method, but all of them getting the same answer).

Firstly, the pipeline processes commands and converts vertices onto 2D screen surface. It then generates pixels and deletes those, which the viewer won't see from the chosen angle. In next step the pipeline determines values based on colour, transparency level, textures, depth and adds shading. At last the frame buffer controller holds the finalised picture together.