Specials - 3D imaging

3D Software
  • API (3D Software)
    • See Application programming interface
  • Application programming interface (API) (3D Software)
    • For 3D programming - the software that lets the 3D program communicate with a 3D graphics board.
  • Direct3D (3D Software)
    • Microsofts Direct3D API.
  • OpenGL (3D Software)
    • Specialised API used in most high end CAD software.

3D Image Technologies
  • Alpha blending (3D image technologies)
    • Defines opacity of objects. Blending allows two textures to be mixed to create the illusion of transparency (eg. fog or glass door)
  • Filtering (3D image technologies)
    • Eliminates blockiness in 3D images
  • Fogging (3D image technologies)
    • Blends a 3D object with a fixed colour as it moves further away to give the illusion of depth.
  • MIP mapping (3D image technologies)
    • Stores several sizes of a texture map, so that moving closer to a image will maintain the textures clarity.
  • Perspective correct (3D image technologies)
    • Process by which textures are adjusted to compensate for changes in the viewers location.
  • Texture mapping (3D image technologies)
    • Puts a bitmap (texture) into a 3D surface to make the object look realistic. A grainy texture for example can be used for a brick wall.

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