500 3D-Objects 2. - 2db CD-vel [antikvár]

T , '¦ ' t • 'I. L ¦Ii i, ' r UUhat is this booh about? José Maria De Espona Over 15,000 years ago, the cave painters of the early Stone Hge used the natural contours of the cave Lualls for bold representations of bison and other animals. > In this oldest epoch of human history, brushes and paint tubes made from hollouj bones served as tools. In our era, anyone Luho ujishes to create three-dimensional r representations of the highest veracity has digital : tools at their disposal. The invention of 3D digital imaging technology has not only revolutionized the neuu media, but also the ujork of all mho use neuj media in research, science, and technology. In our modern society, digitally processed and computer generated 3D images are omnipresent. LUith their overujhelmingly suggestive pooler they can bring both the past and the future before our eyes. Steven Spielberg has brought dinosaurs to life in his films. UUe can generate medieval cities ujith the computer and place ourselves in the situation of the people uuho lived in the days of Jesus Christ. Rnd under George Lui^as's direction, Luke Sl^yoiaiker fights uuith eHtraterrestrial beings, lilith digital tools, being and appearance can be so perfectly amalgamated that one cannot distinguish any more betujeen ujhat is real and ujhat is not. LUhen the images are not completely computer generated, photos, draiuings, or physical models serve as starting points for making virtual 3D models. The 3D designer's task is to digitalise these materials and then model them ujith the aid of construction lines and surface meshes. The surface meshes consist of solids und NURBS that are then covered uuith tewtures. leHtures determine the colours and material constitution of the objects. In product development, computer-aided design (CRD) makes it possible to simulate complew situations. For eHample, the aerodynamics of an airplane can be tested before the prototype is even built. Such research and design ujould not be possible ujithout the pioneering uuork of mathematicians and computer graphics designers. They uuould also not be possible luithout the initiative of major industries. The aeronautics firm Boeing mas an early innovator in the field of CRD systems. Rt the end of the ig70s, the desire to ewactly define the geometrical surfaces of airplanes led Boeing to invest much time and money in research on three-dimensional computer geometry.