Computer Graphics - Interview Questions and Professional Answers

1. What is computer graphics?

Computer Graphics is the field of computer science that deals with generating and manipulating visual

content using computational techniques. It involves the creation, storage, and manipulation of images and

models to facilitate visual communication.

2. What are the types of computer graphics?

The two primary types of computer graphics are:

- Raster Graphics: Images are represented as a grid of pixels.

- Vector Graphics: Images are represented using geometric shapes such as lines and curves.

3. Difference between raster scan and random scan systems?

- Raster Scan: The screen is refreshed line by line from top to bottom. Common in CRT monitors.

- Random Scan: The beam is directed to draw only the graphics elements. Suitable for line-drawing

applications.

4. What is a pixel? What is resolution?

- Pixel: The smallest unit of a digital image or display.

- Resolution: The number of pixels displayed on the screen, typically described as width x height (e.g.,

1920x1080).

5. Explain the difference between bitmap and vector images.

- Bitmap: Composed of pixels. Loses quality when scaled.

- Vector: Based on mathematical expressions. Retains quality at any scale.

6. What are the applications of computer graphics?

design.

7. What is meant by scan conversion?

Scan conversion refers to the process of converting basic geometric primitives (like lines, circles) into

pixel-based representations.

8. Define frame buffer.

A frame buffer is a dedicated memory area that holds the color values for each pixel on the screen.

9. What is aspect ratio?

Aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of an image or display screen.

10. What is a graphics pipeline?

The graphics pipeline is a sequence of steps used to convert 3D models into a 2D image, including

transformation, lighting, projection, rasterization, and display.

11. What is 2D transformation? List types.

2D transformation refers to modifying the position, orientation, or size of a 2D object. Types include

translation, scaling, rotation, reflection, and shearing.

12. Explain translation, rotation, and scaling in 2D.

- Translation: Moving an object from one location to another.

- Rotation: Rotating an object about a pivot point.

- Scaling: Increasing or decreasing the size of an object.

13. What is homogeneous coordinate system?

combination of transformations.

14. What is matrix representation of 2D transformations?

2D transformations can be represented using 3x3 matrices, enabling easy composition of multiple

transformations using matrix multiplication.

15. Explain composite transformation.

Composite transformation involves applying multiple transformations sequentially using matrix multiplication

to achieve complex effects.

16. What is windowing and clipping?

- Windowing: Selecting a portion of the scene to display.

- Clipping: Removing parts of the graphics outside the selected region.

17. Explain Cohen-Sutherland line clipping algorithm.

It divides the space into regions and uses region codes to determine whether lines are inside, outside, or

need clipping.

18. Explain Liang-Barsky line clipping algorithm.

It uses parameterized line equations and inequalities to determine the visible portion of a line, making it more

efficient than Cohen-Sutherland.

19. Explain midpoint subdivision clipping.

This technique recursively subdivides a line until visible and invisible segments are identified and clipped

accordingly.
20. What is viewport transformation?

Viewport transformation maps coordinates from the window (world coordinates) to the viewport (screen

coordinates).

21. What is 3D transformation?

3D transformation modifies the position, orientation, or size of objects in 3D space using operations like

translation, rotation, and scaling.

22. Explain 3D translation, scaling, rotation.

- Translation: Moves objects in 3D space.

- Scaling: Resizes objects along x, y, and z axes.

- Rotation: Rotates objects around x, y, or z axes.

23. Difference between orthographic and perspective projection?

- Orthographic: Parallel projection without depth effect.

- Perspective: Mimics human vision with objects appearing smaller as they recede.

24. Explain 3D viewing pipeline.

It consists of steps: modeling transformation, viewing transformation, projection, clipping, and viewport

transformation.

25. What is projection? List types of projections.

Projection is converting 3D objects to 2D view. Types: Orthographic and Perspective projections.

26. What is viewing transformation in 3D?

Viewing transformation converts world coordinates to view coordinates, aligning the scene relative to the

camera's position and orientation.

Vanishing points are points where parallel lines appear to converge in perspective projection.

28. Explain DDA algorithm.

DDA (Digital Differential Analyzer) is a line drawing algorithm that incrementally plots points between start

and end coordinates.

29. Explain Bresenham's line drawing algorithm.

An efficient algorithm that uses integer arithmetic to determine the closest pixel to the ideal line.

30. Explain Bresenham's circle drawing algorithm.

It efficiently draws a circle using symmetry and integer operations without floating-point calculations.

31. What is scan-line polygon fill algorithm?

It fills polygons by determining intersections with scan lines and filling between pairs of intersections.

32. What is boundary fill and flood fill algorithm?

- Boundary Fill: Fills area until boundary color is encountered.

- Flood Fill: Fills area with a specific color starting from a seed point.

33. What is geometric modeling?

It refers to representing the shape of objects mathematically using wireframe, surface, or solid models.

34. What are different modeling techniques?

Wireframe modeling, surface modeling, solid modeling, and constructive solid geometry (CSG).
35. What is surface rendering?

It is the process of displaying surface features of a 3D model by calculating light interactions and surface

properties.

36. Difference between wireframe, surface, and solid modeling.

- Wireframe: Only edges.

- Surface: Includes faces.

- Solid: Represents complete volume with internal structure.

37. What is hidden surface removal?

The technique of removing surfaces not visible to the viewer to optimize rendering.

38. What is z-buffer algorithm?

A depth-buffering technique that keeps track of pixel depths to determine visible surfaces.

39. Explain painter's algorithm.

Draws objects from farthest to nearest, like a painter painting background first.

40. What is shading? Types of shading?

Shading simulates light effects. Types: Flat, Gouraud, and Phong shading.

41. Difference between flat, Gouraud, and Phong shading?

- Flat: One color per polygon.

- Gouraud: Color interpolated across vertices.

- Phong: Normal interpolated across surface for smooth lighting.

42. What is ray tracing?

43. What is radiosity?

A global illumination technique that considers interreflection of light between surfaces.

44. What is anti-aliasing?

Techniques to reduce jagged edges in digital images for smoother visuals.

45. What is texture mapping?

Applying a 2D image (texture) onto a 3D model surface.

46. What is bump mapping?

Simulates small surface details (bumps) without changing the actual geometry.

47. What is morphing?

Morphing is a gradual transformation of one image or shape into another.

48. What are Bezier curves and B-spline curves?

- Bezier: Defined by control points; widely used in design.

- B-spline: Generalization of Bezier; offers more control.

49. What is OpenGL? What are its uses?

OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D graphics.

50. What is GPU and how it helps in rendering?

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) accelerates graphics rendering by handling complex computations in

parallel.
51. Which software or tools are you familiar with in computer graphics?

Depending on the role: Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, Adobe Suite, OpenGL, AutoCAD, etc.

52. Have you created any graphics project or game?

Yes, I developed a simple 2D game using Unity and implemented basic rendering using OpenGL in academic

projects.

53. How do you optimize performance in a graphics application?

By reducing polygon count, using level of detail (LOD), efficient texture usage, and leveraging hardware

acceleration.

54. What's the difference between 2D animation and 3D animation?

- 2D Animation: Works on x-y axis. Flat appearance.

- 3D Animation: Works on x-y-z axis. Realistic and dynamic.

55. What is real-time rendering vs offline rendering?

- Real-time: Rendering is done instantly, used in games.

- Offline: Rendering takes time for high-quality output, used in movies.