If you have ever looked at a fantastic adventure or science fiction movie; or an amazingly complex and rich computer game; or a TV commercial where cars or gas pumps or biscuits behaved liked people and wondered; ldquo;How do they do that?rdquo;; then yoursquo;ve experienced the magic of 3D worlds generated by a computer.3D in computers began as a way to represent automotive designs and illustrate the construction of molecules. 3D graphics use evolved to visualizations of simulated data and artistic representations of imaginary worlds. In order to overcome the processing limitations of the computer; graphics had to exploit the characteristics of the eye and brain; and develop visual tricks to simulate realism. The goal is to create graphics images that will overcome the visual cues that cause disbelief and tell the viewer this is not real. Thousands of people over thousands of years have developed the building blocks and made the discoveries in mathematics and science to make such 3D magic possible; and The History of Visual Magic in Computers is dedicated to all of them and tells a little of their story.It traces the earliest understanding of 3D and then foundational mathematics to explain and construct 3D; from mechanical computers up to todayrsquo;s tablets. Several of the amazing computer graphics algorithms and tricks came of periods where eruptions of new ideas and techniques seem to occur all at once. Applications emerged as the fundamentals of how to draw lines and create realistic images were better understood; leading to hardware 3D controllers that drive the display all the way to stereovision and virtual reality.
#1749422 in eBooks 2012-03-01 2012-03-01File Name: B00DE4D1AU
Review
6 of 10 people found the following review helpful. No One Wants TruthBy James JaegerI read this book in 1979 and have since spent over 20 years in the movie business seeing if the information is true. It is. But no one wants to confront it because they think the playing field is level or that they will be the chosen one; or; or; or ad nausium. For more details read "The Feature Film Distribution Deal" by John W. Cones; Esq. You will come to see the film business for what it is and learn ways to correct it; before it completely polutes; or destroys; Western culture.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Grumpy; but trueBy Julie SloaneI spent most of my life in filmmaking; and wish I had read this book when it first came out. Although written before the digital revolution; it is still painfully accurate; and I highly recommend it to the many; many young people who hope the motion picture business will be glamorous and fun. As Bette Davis memorably said; you are in for a bumpy ride; at least this book will help you keep your eyes open.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Breaking Through; Selling Out; Dropping Dead GREAT BOOKBy indycineWhen I read this book in the mid-1970s; it was almostunbelievable to me that the film business; or any business;could operate this way. I still find it hard to believe;but there it is.If you read this book; youll lose much of the dangerousbelief that film is intrinsically art; which most personshave. It will only slow you down; and keep you mystified.Movies are mass-produced entertainment; and this book willtell you how to get a toehold in what must be the mostcut-throat business anywhere.If you want in; read this book. If you still want in;youre well on your way.