3D graphics is the process of creating a three-dimensional model using special computer programs. This type of computer graphics has absorbed a lot from vector, as well as raster computer graphics. Based on drawings, drawings, detailed descriptions or any other graphic or text information, a 3D designer creates a three-dimensional image.

In a special program, the model can be viewed from all sides (top, bottom, side), built into any plane and into any environment. Three-dimensional computer graphics, like vector ones, are object-oriented, which allows you to change both all elements of a three-dimensional scene, as well as each object individually. This type of computer graphics has great potential to support technical drawing. Using graphic editors of three-dimensional computer graphics, you can create visual images of parts and mechanical engineering products, as well as perform prototyping of buildings and architectural objects studied in the corresponding section of architectural and construction drawing. Along with this, graphic support can be provided for such sections of descriptive geometry as perspective, axonometric and orthogonal projections, because the principles of constructing images in three-dimensional computer graphics are partially borrowed from them.

Three-dimensional graphics can be of any complexity. You can create a simple 3D model, with low detail and a simplified shape. Or it could be a more complex model, in which the smallest details, textures are worked out, professional techniques are used (shadows, reflections, light refraction, and so on). Of course, this seriously affects the cost of the finished 3D model, but it allows you to expand the use of the 3D model.

Where is 3D graphics used?

Three-dimensional modeling (3D graphics) is used today in many areas. Of course, first of all, this is construction. This could be a model of a future home, either a private, apartment or office building, or indeed any industrial facility. In addition, visualization is actively used in interior design projects.

3D models are very popular in website development. To create a special effect, some website creators add not just graphic elements to the design, but three-dimensional models, sometimes even animated. Three-dimensional modeling programs and technologies are widely used in manufacturing, for example, in the production of cabinet furniture, and in construction, for example, to create a photorealistic design project for a future room. Many designers have long moved from using a ruler and pencil to modern three-dimensional computer programs. Gradually, other companies, primarily manufacturing and trading ones, are mastering new technologies.

Of course, 3D models are mainly used for demonstration purposes. They are indispensable for presentations, exhibitions, and are also used in working with clients when it is necessary to clearly show what the final result will be. In addition, three-dimensional modeling methods are needed where it is necessary to show in volume already finished objects or those objects that existed once upon a time. 3D modeling is not only the future, but also the past and present.

Benefits of 3D Modeling

3D modeling has many advantages over other visualization methods. Three-dimensional modeling provides a very accurate model that is as close to reality as possible. Modern programs help achieve high detail. At the same time, the visibility of the project increases significantly. Expressing a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional plane is not easy, while 3D visualization makes it possible to carefully work out and, most importantly, view all the details. This is a more natural way of visualization.

It is very easy to make almost any changes to the 3D model. You can change the project, remove some parts and add new ones. Your imagination is practically unlimited, and you can quickly choose the option that suits you best.

However, 3D modeling is not only convenient for the client. Professional programs provide many benefits to the manufacturer as well. From a three-dimensional model you can easily extract a drawing of any components or the entire structure. Despite the fact that creating a three-dimensional model is a rather labor-intensive process, working with it in the future is much easier and more convenient than with traditional drawings. As a result, design time is significantly reduced and costs are reduced.

Dedicated programs allow integration with any other professional software, such as engineering applications, machine tools or accounting programs. The implementation of such solutions in production provides significant savings in resources, significantly expands the capabilities of the enterprise, simplifies work and improves its quality.

3D modeling programs

There are quite a large number of different programs for 3D modeling. Thus, one of the popular programs that are specially designed for creating three-dimensional graphics and interior design is the 3D Studio MAX program. It allows you to realistically visualize objects of varying complexity. In addition, “3D Studio MAX” makes it possible to compose them, set movement trajectories and, ultimately, even create a full-fledged video involving three-dimensional models. Although such work, of course, requires a specialist to have serious skills, as well as large computer resources, primarily memory and processor speed.

The Maya editor is named after the Sanskrit word that means illusion. Maya was developed by Alias ​​Systems. In October 2005, Alias ​​merged with Autodesk. Maya is more commonly used to create animation and 3D effects in films.

Three-dimensional graphics do not necessarily involve projection onto a plane.....

Encyclopedic YouTube

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✪ Theory of 3D Graphics, lesson 01 - Introduction to 3D Graphics

✪ Computer graphics in cinema

✪ Lecture 1 | Computer graphics | Vitaly Galinsky | Lectorium

✪ 12 - Computer graphics. Basic concepts of computer graphics

✪ Lecture 4 | Computer graphics | Vitaly Galinsky | Lectorium

Subtitles

Application

Three-dimensional graphics are actively used to create images on a screen plane or a sheet of printed materials in science and industry, for example, in design automation systems (CAD; for creating solid elements: buildings, machine parts, mechanisms), architectural visualization (this also includes the so-called “virtual archaeology”), in modern medical visualization systems.

The widest use is in many modern computer games, as well as as an element of cinema, television, and printed products.

Three-dimensional graphics usually deals with virtual, imaginary three-dimensional space that is displayed on a flat, two-dimensional surface of a display or sheet of paper. Currently, several methods are known for displaying three-dimensional information in volumetric form, although most of them represent volumetric characteristics very conditionally, since they work with a stereo image. From this area we can note stereo glasses, virtual helmets, 3D displays capable of demonstrating a three-dimensional image. Several manufacturers have demonstrated production-ready 3D displays. However, 3D displays still do not allow the creation of a full-fledged physical, tangible copy of the mathematical model created by three-dimensional graphics methods. Rapid prototyping technologies that have been developing since the 1990s are closing this gap. It should be noted that rapid prototyping technologies use a representation of the mathematical model of an object in the form of a solid body (voxel model).

Creation

To obtain a three-dimensional image on a plane, the following steps are required:

• modeling- creation of a three-dimensional mathematical model of the scene and objects in it;
• texturing- assigning raster or procedural textures to model surfaces (also implies setting material properties - transparency, reflections, roughness, etc.);
• lighting- installation and configuration;
• animation(in some cases) - giving movement to objects;
• dynamic simulation(in some cases) - automatic calculation of the interaction of particles, hard/soft bodies, etc. with simulated forces of gravity, wind, buoyancy, etc., as well as with each other;
• rendering(visualization) - construction of a projection in accordance with the selected physical model;
• compositing(layout) - image refinement;
• output the resulting image to an output device - a display or a special printer.

Modeling

The most popular packages purely for modeling are:

• Robert McNeel & Assoc. Rhinoceros 3D ;

To create a three-dimensional model of a person or creature, Sculpture can be used as a prototype (in most cases).

Texturing

SketchUp

Visualization of 3D graphics in games and applications

There are a number of software libraries for visualizing 3D graphics in application programs - DirectX, OpenGL and so on.

There are a number of approaches to presenting 3D graphics in games - full 3D, pseudo-3D.

Such packages do not even always allow the user to operate the 3D model directly; for example, there is the OpenSCAD package, the model in which is formed by executing a user-generated script written in a specialized language.

3D displays

Three-dimensional or stereoscopic displays, (3D displays, 3D screens) - displays that, through stereoscopic or some other effect, create the illusion of real volume in the displayed images.

Currently, the vast majority of three-dimensional images are displayed using the stereoscopic effect, as it is the easiest to implement, although the use of stereoscopy alone cannot be called sufficient for three-dimensional perception. The human eye, both in pairs and alone, distinguishes three-dimensional objects from flat images equally well [ ] .

You have mastered editing two-dimensional graphics, such as raster graphics, using software products such as Adobe Photoshop and others similar to it. But why stop at 2D when you can use complete creative freedom to its full extent, namely in 3D. Today there are many programs for modeling, animation and visualization of three-dimensional objects. For example, Autodesk Maya, Houdini, LightWave 3D, Rhinoceros and each of them is good in its own way, but I recommend for a beginner to use 3Ds MAX from Autodesk. Since it was in this program that it was possible to create, as it seems to me, a combination of ease of management and the effectiveness of the final result. And indeed, for a novice user, this program is very simple and uncomplicated for creating small 3D models, and most importantly, it is not only simple, but also fast.

With 3Ds MAX it is very easy and quick to create simple and uncomplicated three-dimensional objects such as balls, boxes, cylinders, cones, pyramids and even a teapot. But these are, let’s say, primitive objects, and you can also create quite complex compositions and models. You can also perform any kind of manipulation with these objects. Zoom in, zoom out, edit, rotate in any direction and paint in different colors and shades, in general, play around as you please. Which is no less important for a Web designer. Since there you can create different miniatures or 3D scenes, for example for your website or blog on the Internet.

As an example of how easy this program is to use, I'll show you how to create 3D text. This is where it is done quite simply and quickly. You can also make interesting and beautiful 3D text yourself by applying and using beautiful fonts for your Web blog.

Example: No. 1 – 3D Volumetric text, with a beautiful font

Launch the program and create a new project File -> New... select New All and click OK.

Then in the Create menu, where you can select the type of element that we want to create, click on the Shapes button - creating two-dimensional shapes. And press the Text button.. Also in these parameters you can select any font type you like and its size.

After which you calmly click in the center of the Perspective window with the left mouse button, where your text should appear. But the text is still two-dimensional - flat, in order for it to become three-dimensional it needs to be stretched out. To do this, we modify our selected flat text - go to the Modify menu, and in it open the Modifier List and look for Extrude in it and click on it. Next, in the parameters below, you need to set the Amount value: how much to extend the text. After these simple manipulations, we should have a voluminous text.

But before you fully view your project, you need to rotate it a little, adjust the angle of view of our text. For this purpose there is such a panel for controlling views/projections, changing direction and viewing angle. In it you need to select Arc Rotate so that you can change the viewing angle in the perspective window. Now in the perspective window you can rotate, look and view your voluminous text in any way you like. When you decide on the look you like, you can move on to viewing the finished result.

To view the final result, you need to select the perspective window and go to the horizontal menu Rendering -> Render... and in the window that appears, click on the Render button. After this, your result with 3D text should appear in a new window, which can be saved as a regular picture by clicking on the floppy disk.

That's all, as you can see, everything is quite simple and fast. So go ahead, try and experiment. Once again, I think that for beginners 3D Studio MAX is the most ideal option.

Three-dimensional graphics (3D Graphics, Three Dimensions of Image, 3 Dimensions, Russian 3 dimensions) is a section of computer graphics, a set of techniques and tools (both software and hardware) designed to depict three-dimensional objects. It is most used for creating images on the plane of a screen or sheet of printed materials in architectural visualization, cinema, television, computer games, printed materials, as well as in science and industry.

A three-dimensional image on a plane differs from a two-dimensional one in that it involves constructing a geometric projection of a three-dimensional model of the scene onto a plane (for example, a computer screen) using specialized programs. In this case, the model can either correspond to objects from the real world (cars, buildings, hurricane, asteroid) or be completely abstract (projection of a four-dimensional fractal).

To obtain a three-dimensional image on a plane, the following steps are required:

modeling - creating a three-dimensional mathematical model of the scene and objects in it.

rendering (visualization) - construction of a projection in accordance with the selected physical model.

output the resulting image to an output device - display or printer.

However, due to attempts to create 3D displays and 3D printers, 3D graphics do not necessarily involve projection onto a plane

Modeling

The scene (virtual modeling space) includes several categories of objects:

Geometry (a model constructed using various techniques, for example a building)

Materials (information about the visual properties of the model, such as wall color and window reflectivity)

Light sources (direction, power, lighting spectrum settings)

Virtual cameras (selection of point and projection angle)

Forces and impacts (settings for dynamic distortions of objects, mainly used in animation)

Additional effects (objects simulating atmospheric phenomena: light in fog, clouds, flames, etc.)

3D modeling problem- describe these objects and place them in the scene using geometric transformations in accordance with the requirements for the future image.

Rendering

At this stage, the mathematical (vector) spatial model turns into a flat (raster) picture. If you want to create a movie, then a sequence of such pictures - frames - is rendered. As a data structure, an image on a screen is represented by a matrix of dots, where each dot is defined by at least three numbers: the intensity of red, blue and green. In this way, rendering converts a three-dimensional vector data structure into a flat matrix of pixels. This step often requires very complex calculations, especially if the illusion of reality is to be created. The simplest form of rendering is to plot the outlines of models on a computer screen using projection, as shown above. Usually this is not enough and you need to create the illusion of the materials from which the objects are made, as well as calculate the distortions of these objects due to transparent media (for example, liquid in a glass).

There are several rendering technologies, often combined together. For example:

Z-buffer (used in OpenGL and DirectX 10);

scanning surface. The color of the pixel will be the same as the color of that surface (sometimes taking into account lighting, etc.);

Ray tracing (ray tracing) is the same as scanline, but the color of the pixel is refined by constructing additional rays (reflected, refracted, etc.) from the point of intersection of the viewing ray. Despite the name, only reverse ray tracing is used (that is, from the observer to the light source), direct ray tracing is extremely inefficient and consumes too many resources to obtain a high-quality picture;

Global illumination (English: global illumination, radiosity) - calculation of the interaction of surfaces and media in the visible spectrum of radiation using integral equations.

The line between ray tracing algorithms is now almost blurred. So, in 3D Studio Max the standard visualizer is called Default scanline renderer, but it considers not only the contribution of diffuse, reflected and intrinsic (self-luminous color) light, but also smoothed shadows. For this reason, more often the concept of Raycasting refers to backward ray tracing, and Raytracing refers to forward ray tracing.

The most popular rendering systems are:

PhotoRealistic RenderMan (PRMan)

Due to the large volume of similar calculations, rendering can be divided into threads (parallelized). Therefore, for rendering it is very important to use multi-processor systems. Recently, there has been an active development of rendering systems that use GPUs instead of CPUs, and today their efficiency for such calculations is much higher. Such systems include:

Refractive Software Octane Render

AAA studio FurryBall

RandomControl ARION (hybrid)

Many manufacturers of CPU rendering systems are also planning to introduce GPU support (LuxRender, YafaRay, mental images iray).

The most advanced achievements and ideas in three-dimensional graphics (and computer graphics in general) are reported and discussed at the annual SIGGRAPH symposium, traditionally held in the USA.

Many different applications are used to create computer graphics. Conventionally, they can be divided into the following groups:

• Programs for digital sculpting (Pixologic ZBrush, Autodesk Mudbox).
• Game engines (Unreal Engine 4, Unity 5, CryEngine 3).
• Highly specialized applications, “tailored” for specific tasks (animation of liquids - RealFlow, creation of textures - Mari, etc.).
• Universal 3D editors (Cinema 4D, 3Ds Max, Maya, Houidini, etc.).

We will analyze the first three groups in the following articles. And today we offer an overview of universal 3D editors (Full 3D Suites).

Universal 3D editors, usually contain everything you need for CG: modeling, animation and rendering tools.

To the questions: “Which package is the best? What to choose?" there are no correct answers. The choice of tool depends on many factors: the personal preferences of the CG artist, goals, financial capabilities, etc.

• program functionality;
• ease of use (intuitive interface, etc.);
• availability, price.

Most specialists use several programs at once in their work: some things are easier and faster to do in third-party applications (detailing, post-processing, simulation, etc.). So don't limit yourself to just one package. Moreover, the choice of tools today is simply huge.

The most popular 3D packages:

3 Ds Max

3Ds Max- a “pioneer” among 3D editors, a very popular tool, No. 1 in choice for many beginners and advanced professionals. Occupies leading positions in the field of design and architectural visualization. Often used in the gaming industry.

Possibilities:

• modeling based on polygons, splines and NURBS,
• powerful particle system,
• hair/wool module,
• extended Shader FX shaders,
• Support for new and improved Iray and mental ray engines.
• crowd animation,
• import from Revit and SketchUp,
• compositing integration.

And much more.

Pros: Huge functionality, lots of plugins and training information.

Minuses: not so easy to learn, the “old-timer” requires serious updates.

Autodesk Maya

Maya- industry standard for 3D graphics in film and television. Maya is popular among large studios and large-scale projects in advertising, cinema, and the gaming industry. The package is ideal for creating animation.

Possibilities:

• a complete set of tools for NURBS and polygon modeling;
• powerful general and character animation tools;
• developed particle system;
• Maya Fur technology (creation of fur, hair, grass);
• Maya Fluid Effects technology (modeling of liquids, atmosphere);
• a wide range of tools for creating dynamic special effects;
• UV textures, normals and color coding;
• multiprocessor flexible rendering.

Pros: Huge functionality and capabilities.

Minuses: long and complex training, high requirements for the system, high price.

Cinema 4 D

Cinema 4 D- one of the best and most convenient 3D packages today. Huge functionality: from modeling, animation, effects to “sculpting” and the BodyPaint 3D module. It has a clearer and more convenient interface than 3Ds Max and Maya. Widely used in motion design, film industry and advertising.

Possibilities:

• polygonal and NURBS modeling;
• BodyPaint 3D (module for creating UV scans and texture maps);
• generation and animation of objects;
• character animation;
• dynamics of soft and hard bodies;
• module for creating realistic hair;
• Thinking Particles particle system;
• good built-in visualizer.

Pros: easy to learn, intuitive interface, excellent functionality, lots of training materials, close connection with Adobe After Effects, Houdini, etc.

Minuses: undebugged system for transition between versions.

Modo

Modo- a complete product for modeling, drawing, animation and visualization. Also includes sculpting and texture painting tools. Thanks to its ease of use and high performance, Modo has a reputation as one of the fastest modeling tools. Modo is popular in advertising, game development, special effects and architectural visualization.

Possibilities:

• polygonal and SDS modeling;
• modern animation tools;
• dynamics of hard and soft bodies;
• drawing system;
• Fur material for creating hair, grass and fur;
• modeling tools;
• fast and high-quality visualization.

Pros: powerful and understandable tools, high performance.

Minuses: not enough information.

Side Effects Houdini

Houdini- a powerful professional package for working with 3D graphics, it is based on a procedural, node-based system. Houdini is ideal for creating complex dynamics, simulations: particles, liquids, smoke, fire, simulating natural phenomena, etc. It's also a great tool for creating impressive visual effects. The main application area for Houdini is the film industry.

Possibilities:

• polygonal and NURBS modeling,
• animation (key, procedural),
• character animation,
• particle system,
• dynamics of solid and soft bodies, fabrics, wool/hair, gases and liquids,
• working with surround sound,
• powerful render engine Mantra,
• Built-in compositing tool.

Pros: high-quality special effects and animation.

Minuses: little information, high price.

Softimage

Softimage(Autodesk Softimage, formerly Softimage/XSI) is a program for 3D animation and visual effects creation in the game industry, film and television.

Softimage had one of the best animation systems. Thanks to the unique ICE system (Interactive Creative Environment - a visual programming platform based on nodes), the package offered wide functionality, flexibility, high performance and quality.

Possibilities:

• powerful polygonal and procedural modeling in the ICE environment;
• physics and dynamics of particles and geometry;
• nonlinear animation;
• Autodesk Face Robot facial animation tools;
• built-in MentalRay.

In 2008, Autodesk bought Softimage from Avid for $35 million. In 2015, Autodesk announced it would stop selling licenses for Softimage and actually got rid of one of the strongest players on the market. The official website suggests switching to 3Ds Max or Maya.

LightWave

Lightwave 3D- a tool for 3D animation and visual effects from NewNek. It has long been an industry standard in film and television.

The new and improved LightWave 2015 suite offers a wealth of capabilities, from motion modeling, character animation, visual effects to game development and architectural rendering.

Possibilities:

• intuitive dual interface (modeler and layout);
• powerful polygonal modeling;
• developed animation system;
• particle system;
• Genoma 2 character equipment system;
• improved rendering;
• interactive dynamic inheritance (Interactive Dynamic Parenting);
• flexible Bullet Dynamics system;

Pros: Huge functionality, convenient dual interface.

Minuses: not so popular in our country and the CIS countries, there is little information.

Blender

The only free 3D package on the list that is almost as functional as paid applications. Blender includes tools for 3D modeling, animation, and a set of options for creating games, visual effects, and sculpting. An excellent alternative to the “monsters” of 3D animation. Thanks to the support of the Blender Foundation, the program is developing very quickly and steadily.

Possibilities:

• polygonal modeling, splines, NURBS curves and surfaces;
• sculpting mode;
• particle system;
• dynamics of solid and soft bodies: liquid, wool/hair, etc.;
• skeletal animation;
• built-in rendering engines and integration with third-party visualizers;
• video editor;
• functions for creating games and applications (Game Blender).

Pros: accessibility, open source, cross-platform, small size (about 50 megabytes), wide functionality, ability to create games.

Minuses: lack of documentation in the basic package.

So, in short:

• 3Ds Max- computer games, interiors, visualization.
• Maya- animation, film industry, television, music videos.
• Cinema 4D- special effects in film and television, motion design, advertising.
• Modo- advertising, games, special effects in films.
• Houdini- visual programming, special effects in cinema.
• Softimage- animation and special effects in cinema, television, games.
• LightWave- special effects in cinema and television.
• Blender- character animation, game creation.

In conclusion, I would like to note: a 3D editor is just a tool, the potential of which can only be revealed by the designer himself, the CG artist. Once you have fully mastered one package, learning others will not be difficult.

Good luck in your studies and work!