Pre FinaL Exam

Media Development software

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3D computer graphics

3D computer graphics are different from 2D computer graphics in that a three-dimensional representation of geometric data is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images. Such images may be for later display or for real-time viewing. Despite these differences, 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D computer vector graphics in the wire frame model and 2D computer raster graphics in the final rendered display. In computer graphics software, the distinction between 2D and 3D is occasionally blurred; 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and primarily 3D may use 2D rendering techniques.
3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living). A model is not technically a graphic until it is visually displayed. Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space. A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations.

3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. There are typically many stages in the "pipeline" that studios use to create 3D objects for film and games, and this article only covers some of the software used. Note that most of the 3D packages have a very plugin-oriented architecture, and high-end plugins costing tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars are often used by studios. Larger studios usually create enormous amounts of proprietary software to run alongside these programs.
If you are just getting started out in 3D, one of the major packages is usually sufficient to begin learning. Remember that 3D animation can be very difficult, time-consuming, and unintuitive; a teacher or a book will likely be necessary. Most of the high-end packages have free versions designed for personal learning.



Modeling in LightWave. This interface is fairly typical of 3D packages.

A 3D scene of 8 red glass balls
The process of creating 3D computer graphics can be sequentially divided into three basic phases: 3D modeling which describes the shape of an object, layout and animation which describes the motion and placement of objects within a scene, and 3D rendering which produces an image of an object.
[edit] Modeling
Main article: 3D modeling




A 3D rendering with raytracing and ambient occlusion using Blender and Yafray
The model describes the shape of an object. The two most common sources of 3D models are those originated on the computer by an artist or engineer using some kind of 3D modeling tool, and those scanned into a computer from real-world objects. Models can also be produced procedurally or via physical simulation.
Before an object is rendered, it must be placed (layout/laid out) within a scene. This is what defines the spatial relationships between objects in a scene including location and size. Animation refers to the temporal description of an object, i.e., how it moves and deforms over time. Popular methods include keyframing, inverse kinematics, and motion capture, though many of these techniques are used in conjunction with each-other. As with modeling, physical simulation is another way of specifying motion.

Main article: 3D rendering
Rendering converts a model into an image either by simulating light transport to get photorealistic images, or by applying some kind of style as in non-photorealistic rendering. The two basic operations in realistic rendering are transport (how much light gets from one place to another) and scattering (how surfaces interact with light). This step is usually performed using 3D computer graphics software or a 3D graphics API. The process of altering the scene into a suitable form for rendering also involves 3D projection which allows a three-dimensional image to be viewed in two dimensions.


In raytracing, the number of reflections “rays” can take, as well as various other attributes, can be tailored to achieve a desired visual effect. Modeled and rendered with Ashlar Cobalt.
Before an object is rendered, it must be placed (layout/laid out) within a scene. This is what defines the



Application software classification
There are many subtypes of application software:

Enterprise software addresses the needs of organization processes and data flow, often in a large distributed ecosystem. (Examples include Financial, Customer Relationship Management, and Supply Chain Management). Note that Departmental Software is a sub-type of Enterprise Software with a focus on smaller organizations or groups within a large organization. (Examples include Travel Expense Management, and IT Helpdesk)
Enterprise infrastructure software provides common capabilities needed to create Enterprise Software systems. (Examples include Databases, Email servers, and Network and Security Management)
Information worker software addresses the needs of individuals to create and manage information, often for individual projects within a department, in contrast to enterprise management. Examples include time management, resource management, documentation tools, analytical, and collaborative. Word processors, spreadsheets, email and blog clients, personal information system, and individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker tasks.
Media and entertainment software addresses the needs of individuals and groups to consume digital entertainment and published digital content. (Examples include Media Players, Web Browsers, Help browsers, and Games)
Educational software is related to Media and Entertainment Software, but has distinct requirements for delivering evaluations (tests) and tracking progress through material. It is also related to collaboration software in that many Educational Software systems include collaborative capabilities.
Media development software addresses the needs of individuals who generate print and electronic media for others to consume, most often in a commercial or educational setting. This includes Graphic Art software, Desktop Publishing software, Multimedia Development software, HTML editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital Audio and Video composition, and many others.
Product engineering software is used in developing hardware and software products. This includes computer aided design (CAD), computer aided engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling tools, Integrated Development Environments, and Application Programmer Interfaces.

Specialized Usages
Most art software includes common functions, creation tools, editing tools, filters, and automated rendering modes. However, most are designed to enhance a specialized skill.


[edit] Graphic design software
Graphic design professionals favor general image editing software and page layout software commonly referred to as desktop publishing software.


Multimedia development software
Multimedia development professionals favor software with audio, motion and interactivity such as software for creating and editing hypermedia, electronic presentations (more specifically slide presentations), computer simulations and games.


Image development software
Image development professionals may use general graphic editors or may prefer more specialized software. Although images can be created from scratch with most art software, specialized software applications or advanced features of generalized applications are used for more accurate visual effects. These visual effects include:


[edit] Traditional Medium Effects
Main article: Non-photorealistic rendering
Vector editors are ideal for solid crisp lines seen in line art, poster, woodcut ink effects and mosaic effects.


Some generalized image editors, such as Photoshop are used for digital painting (representing real brush and canvas textures such as watercolor or burlap canvas) or handicraft textures such as mosaic or stained glass. However, unlike Photoshop, which was originally designed for photo editing, software such as Corel Painter and Photo-Paint were originally designed for rendering with digital painting effects and continue to evolve with more emphasis on hand-rendering styles that don't appear computer generated.


Photorealistic Effects

Unlike traditional medium effects, photorealistic effects create the illusion of a photographed image. Specialized software may contain 3-D modeling and ray tracing features to make images appear photographed. Some 3-D software is for general 3-D object modeling, whereas other 3-D software is more specialized, such as Poser for characters or Bryce for scenery. Software such as Photoshop may be used to create 3-D effects from 2-D (flat) images instead of 3-D models. AddDepth is a discontinued software for extruding 2-D shapes into 3-D images with the option of beveled effects. MetaCreations Detailer and Painter 3D are discontinued software applications specifically for painting texture maps on 3-D Models.


Hyperrealistic Effects

Specialized software may be used to combine traditional medium effects and photorealistic effects. 3-D modeling software may be exclusively for, include features for, or include the option of 3rd party plugins for rendering 3-D models with 2-D effects (e.g. cartoons, illustrations) for hyperrealistic effects. Other 2-D image editing software may be used to trace photographs or rotoscope animations from film. This allows artists to rapidly apply unique styles to what would be purely photorealistic images from computer generated imagery from 3-D models or photographs. Some styles of hyperealism may require motion visual effects (e.g. geometrically accurate rotation, accurate kinetics, simulated organic growth, life-like motion constraints) to notice the realism of the imagery. Software may be used to bridge the gap between the imagination and the law of physi

Specialized Graphic Format Handling

This may include software for handling specialized graphic file formats such as Fontographer software, which is dedicated to creating and editing computer fonts. Some general image editing software has unique image file handling features as well. Vector graphic editors handle vector graphic files and are able to load PostScript files natively. Some tools enable professional photographers to use nondestructive image processing for editing digital photography without permanently changing or duplicating the original, using the RAW image format. Other special handling software includes software for capturing images such as 2-D scanning software, 3-D scanning software and screen-capturing, or software for specialized graphic format processing such as raster image processing and file format conversion.

Specialized Usages
Most art software includes common functions, creation tools, editing tools, filters, and automated rendering modes. However, most are designed to enhance a specialized skill.

Graphic design software
Graphic design professionals favor general image editing software and page layout software commonly referred to as desktop publishing software.


Multimedia development software
Multimedia development professionals favor software with audio, motion and interactivity such as software for creating and editing hypermedia, electronic presentations (more specifically slide presentations), computer simulations and games.

Image development software
Image development professionals may use general graphic editors or may prefer more specialized software. Although images can be created from scratch with most art software, specialized software applications or advanced features of generalized applications are used for more accurate visual effects. These visual effects include:

Traditional Medium Effects
Main article: Non-photorealistic rendering
Vector editors are ideal for solid crisp lines seen in line art, poster, woodcut ink effects and mosaic effects.


Some generalized image editors, such as Photoshop are used for digital painting (representing real brush and canvas textures such as watercolor or burlap canvas) or handicraft textures such as mosaic or stained glass. However, unlike Photoshop, which was originally designed for photo editing, software such as Corel Painter and Photo-Paint were originally designed for rendering with digital painting effects and continue to evolve with more emphasis on hand-rendering styles that don't appear computer generated.


Photorealistic Effects

Unlike traditional medium effects, photorealistic effects create the illusion of a photographed image. Specialized software may contain 3-D modeling and ray tracing features to make images appear photographed. Some 3-D software is for general 3-D object modeling, whereas other 3-D software is more specialized, such as Poser for characters or Bryce for scenery. Software such as Photoshop may be used to create 3-D effects from 2-D (flat) images instead of 3-D models. AddDepth is a discontinued software for extruding 2-D shapes into 3-D images with the option of beveled effects. MetaCreations Detailer and Painter 3D are discontinued software applications specifically for painting texture maps on 3-D Models.


Hyperrealistic Effects

Specialized software may be used to combine traditional medium effects and photorealistic effects. 3-D modeling software may be exclusively for, include features for, or include the option of 3rd party plugins for rendering 3-D models with 2-D effects (e.g. cartoons, illustrations) for hyperrealistic effects. Other 2-D image editing software may be used to trace photographs or rotoscope animations from film. This allows artists to rapidly apply unique styles to what would be purely photorealistic images from computer generated imagery from 3-D models or photographs. Some styles of hyperealism may require motion visual effects (e.g. geometrically accurate rotation, accurate kinetics, simulated organic growth, life-like motion constraints) to notice the realism of the imagery. Software may be used to bridge the gap between the imagination and the law of physics.


Specialized Graphic Format Handling

This may include software for handling specialized graphic file formats such as Fontographer software, which is dedicated to creating and editing computer fonts. Some general image editing software has unique image file handling features as well. Vector graphic editors handle vector graphic files and are able to load PostScript files natively. Some tools enable professional photographers to use nondestructive image processing for editing digital photography without permanently changing or duplicating the original, using the RAW image format. Other special handling software includes software for capturing images such as 2-D scanning software, 3-D scanning software and screen-capturing, or software for specialized graphic format processing such as raster image processing and file format conversion.