[comp.graphics] Looking for raster graphics algorithms

mclaugh@hc.DSPO.GOV (Mark McLaughlin) (07/10/87)

Greetings to all you people out there in net-land!  I come in peace.

I am looking for detailed descriptions of algorithms or actual code
for raster graphics techniques, such as scan conversion (of lines,
curves, polygons, etc.) with and without antialiasing, ray tracing,
shading, hidden line and surface removal, etc.  Most of the material
I have read on these subjects explains the basic idea but lists no
concrete algorithms that could be quickly coded.  The closest thing
I have found in this area is Foley and Van Dam's "Fundamentals
of Interactive Computer Graphics," but unfortunately it is very
basic and doesn't cover enough in depth material on raster graphics.
For example, it lists one good algorithm for scan conversion of
lines, but the program only works for lines with slopes between 0
and 1 and does not deal with antialiasing.  The routine that works
for lines of all slopes is left as an exercise for the reader to
code and would not be too difficult to  figure out.  However,
antialiasing is only mentioned as a technique and no examples are
given for it.  What I am looking for is complete algorithms for
these raster graphics techniques that I could easily translate into
simple programs.

I see all these magnificent pictures in books and magazines that were
generated on computers but I have yet to see the code that produced
any of the pictures.  I understand that perhaps much work in these
areas is secretive, and those who have developed algorithms do not
want to disclose them.  And granted, I could take what material I
have and develop the algorithms and code myself--but why reinvent the
wheel?  I'm sure this has been done a thousands times before and the
algorithms are out there some where.

If anyone could tell me of books, magazines, or articles, or send me
code directly I would be most appreciative.

Just a note of clarification as to what I am *not* looking for:  I am
not looking stuff related to graphics packages like Core or GKS.  (I
know enough about that already, having written an entire Core Graphics
Package myself from scratch.)
-----
Mark McLaughlin
Los Alamos National Laboratory
MS K488
Los Alamos, NM  87545
(505) 667-8495

hc.dspo.gov!mclaugh  or  mclaugh@hc.dspo.gov.UUCP

wanger@hpfcdq.HP.COM (Leonard Wanger) (07/11/87)

My suggestion is:

  Algorithms for Graphics and Image Processing by Theo Pavlidis
  (Computer Science Press, 1982)

  Not as much detail as I would like, but its a start. gives algorithms
  in a psuedo-Pascal language.

  Leonard Wanger -- HP TWO