School of Information Technology

Program – BCA VI Semester

Computer Graphics
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Definition :
Computer graphics is an art of drawing pictures, lines, charts, etc. using computers with the help of programming.
Computer graphics image is made up of number of pixels. Pixel is the smallest addressable graphical unit
represented on the computer screen.

Advantages of computer graphics

Computer graphics is one of the most effective and commonly used ways of communication with computer.

It provides tools for producing picture of “real-world” as well as synthetic objects such as mathematical surfaces
in 4D and of data that have no inherent geometry such as survey result.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Advantages of computer graphics

It has ability to show moving pictures thus possible to produce animations with computer graphics.
With the use of computer graphics we can control the animation by adjusting the speed, portion of picture in
view the amount of detail shown and so on.
It provides tools called motion dynamics. In which user can move objects as well as observes as per requirement
for example walk throw made by builder to show flat interior and surrounding.
It provides facility called update dynamics. With this we can change the shape color and other properties of
object.

Now in recent development of digital signal processing and audio synthesis chip the interactive graphics can
now provide audio feedback along with the graphical feed backs.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Applications of computer graphics

User interface: - Visual object which we observe on screen which communicates with user is one of the most
useful applications of the computer graphics.
Plotting of graphics and chart in industry, business, government and educational organizations drawing like bars,
pie-charts, histograms are very useful for quick and good decision making.
Office automation and desktop publishing: - It is used for creation and dissemination of information. It is used in
in-house creation and printing of documents which contains text, tables, graphs and other forms of drawn or
scanned images or picture.
Simulation and animation: - Use of graphics in simulation makes mathematic models and mechanical systems
more realistic and easier to study.
Process control: - Now a day’s automation is used which is graphically displayed on the screen.
Cartography: - Computer graphics is also used to represent geographic maps, weather maps, oceanographic
charts etc.
Education and training: - Computer graphics can be used to generate models of physical, financial and economic
systems. These models can be used as educational aids.
Image processing: - It is used to process image by changing property of the image.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Types of Computer Graphics

Computer graphics can be broadly categorized based on their applications, nature, or the way they are generated.
Here are the main types of computer graphics −
Raster Graphics (Bitmap Graphics) − Bitmap graphics are the images made up of tiny dots called pixels (picture
elements). Raster images use bit maps to store information, requiring a larger bitmap for larger files.

Vector Graphics − Images are created using mathematical equations to represent geometric shapes such as lines,
circles, and polygons. on the other hand, use sequential commands or mathematical statements to place lines or
shapes in a 2-D or 3-D environment.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Types of Computer Graphics

3D Graphics − Graphics that represent three-dimensional objects and scenes, often used for simulations, video
games, and movies.
Interactive Graphics − Graphics that allow users to interact with them, typically through a user interface (UI).
Real-Time Graphics − Graphics that are rendered in real-time, meaning they are created and displayed instantly as
the user interacts with them.

Pixel and Image Resolution

Pixels, derived from the term "picture element," are the fundamental unit of digital images, representing
visual information. They consist of RGB subpixels, which mix to create diverse colors. Pixels form a
raster image, with each pixel representing a specific position and color value.

In an image, how many pixels are there in row and in

column manner that signifies the resolution. An image
with large number of pixels inside it will be more accurate
and detailed image as compared to lower number of
picture elements.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

What is Rendering in Computer Graphics?

The term rendering states visualizing the data. In computer graphics showing the generated graphics is rendering.
However, we generally use 3D rendering with the term "rendering".
3D rendering is a computer-based process that generates a 2D image from a digital 3D scene. It is essential in
various industries like architecture, product design, advertising, video games, and visual effects.
Some of the rendering techniques are listed below −
Scanline is a traditional rendering technique that calculates computer graphics surface.
Z-Buffer is a two-dimensional data system used for depth calculation and storage.
Shading and lighting manipulate light and dark levels using software effects.
Texture / Bump Mapping displays color, material, and object details.
Ray Tracing and Ray Casting are useful rendering techniques for creating natural lighting effects.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Display devices It is an evacuated glass tube.

Display devices are also known as output devices. An electron gun at the rear of the tube produce a beam of
Most commonly used output device in a graphics electrons which is directed towards the screen of the tube by
system is a video monitor. a high voltage typically 15000 to 20000 volts
Inner side screen is coated with phosphor substance which
gives light when it is stroked bye electrons.
Control grid controls velocity of electrons before they hit the
phosphor.
The control grid voltage determines how many electrons are
actually in the electron beam. The negative the control
voltage is the fewer the electrons that pass through the grid.
Thus, control grid controls Intensity of the spot where beam
strikes the screen.
The focusing system concentrates the electron beam so it
converges to small point when hits the phosphor coating
Control grid voltage
Deflection system directs beam which decides the point
where beam strikes the screen.
Deflection system of the CRT consists of two pairs of parallel
plates which are vertical and horizontal deflection plates.
Voltage applied to vertical and horizontal deflection plates is
control vertical and horizontal deflection respectively.
There are two techniques used for producing images on the
CRT screen:
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Applications of CRT
CRT were uses in many different devises. Nowadays they are quite obsolete but it was quite popular before. Let us see
some of the applications of CRT.
Television Screens − CRTs were once the dominant technology for television displays. The electron beam would scan
the screen line by line to create an image.
Computer Monitors − Early computer displays were built using CRTs. These monitors could display text and graphics by
controlling where the electron beam struck the phosphor screen.
Oscilloscopes − In laboratory settings, CRTs are used in oscilloscopes to graph electrical signals. The deflection of the
electron beam is proportional to the input voltage, allowing engineers and scientists to visualize waveforms.

Advantages of CRT
Let us see some of the key advantages of CRT screens that are used in different applications as we have seen before.
High Contrast and Brightness − CRTs can produce very bright images with a high contrast ratio, making them ideal
for use in environments with variable lighting.
Wide Viewing Angles − CRT displays do not suffer from the restricted viewing angles common in early LCDs,
providing a consistent image quality from multiple perspectives.
Fast Response Time − CRTs have near-instantaneous response times, which made them highly suitable for
applications like gaming or scientific visualization.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Limitations of CRT
Apart from these advantages, CRTs also had several limitations, which eventually led to their replacement by modern
technologies −
Bulky and Heavy − CRTs are large and heavy, especially as screen sizes increase. This made them less practical for portable
devices or for use in smaller spaces.
Power Consumption − CRTs consume significantly more power than modern displays such as LED or LCD screens. This
makes them less energy efficient and more expensive to operate over time.
Screen Burn-In − Prolonged display of static images could cause burn-in on CRT screens, leaving permanent marks on the
phosphor coating.
Harmful for Eyes − CRT screens are very bright. To watch TVs for long times or working on computers in front of CRT
monitors would lead to eye damage.
Conclusion
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

There are two techniques used for producing images on the CRT screen: Vector scan display directly traces out only the desired lines on CRT.
If we want line between point p1 & p2 then we directly drive the beam
1.Vector scan/Random scan display. deflection circuitry which focus beam directly from point p1 to p2.
2.Raster scan display. If we do not want to display line from p1 to p2 and just move then we can
blank the beam as we move it.
To move the beam across the CRT, the information about both magnitude and
direction is required. This information is generated with the help of vector
graphics generator
Fig. 1.2 shows architecture of vector display. It consists of display controller,
CPU, display buffer memory and CRT.
Display controller is connected as an I/O peripheral to the CPU
Display buffer stores computer produced display list or display program.
The Program contains point & line plotting commands with end point co-
ordinates as well as character plotting commands.
Display controller interprets command and sends digital and point co-ordinates
to a vector generator
Vector generator then converts the digital co-ordinate value to analog voltages
for beam deflection circuits that displace an electron beam which points on the
CRT’s screen.
Coordinate In this technique beam is deflected from end point to end point hence this
Generation techniques is also called random scan.
We know as beam strikes phosphors coated screen it emits light but that light
decays after few milliseconds and therefore it is necessary to repeat through
the display list to refresh the screen at least 30 times per second to avoid
flicker.
As display buffer is used to store display list and used to refreshing, it is also
called refresh buffer.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester
Applications of Random Scan Devices
Some common applications of random scan devices include the following −
Engineering and CAD Systems − In engineering and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, random scan devices
were to display the blueprints, schematics, and other technical drawings. These devices generates precise lines and
curves required for technical diagrams.
Oscilloscopes − In laboratory settings, oscilloscopes often used random scan technology to display electrical
waveforms. Since we know random scan displays generate accurate curves and lines. These made vector displays
ideal for visualizing continuous signals and waveforms.
Military Applications − Sometimes random scan devices are used for military applications, especially for radar
displays. Vector displays provided clear and precise representations of radar data.
Advantages of Random Scan Devices
High Precision − Random scan devices are precise at rendering lines and shapes. These are ideal for technical and
scientific applications.
Efficient Rendering of Geometric Shapes − For applications that rely heavily on vector graphics, such as CAD systems
or oscilloscopes, random scan devices are more efficient than raster scan devices.
No Jagged Edges − Since random scan devices directly draw lines and shapes, they avoid the "jagged edge" problem
that can occur in raster scan systems when rendering lines.

Limitations of Random Scan Devices

Limited to Monochrome Displays − Most random scan devices are limited to monochrome displays, as color handling in vector-
based systems is more complex.
Not Suitable for Complex Images − Random scan devices are less efficient at displaying complex images or images with many
colors, as they are designed primarily for vector-based graphics.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Raster scan display. Fig. 1.3 shows the architecture of Raster display. It consists of display
controller, CPU, video controller, refresh buffer, keyboard, mouse and
CRT.
The display image is stored in the form of 1’s and 0’s in the refresh buffer.
The video controller reads this refresh buffer and produces the actual
image on screen.
It will scan one line at a time from top to bottom & then back to the top.
In this method the horizontal and vertical deflection signals are generated
to move the beam all over the screen in a pattern shown in fig. 1.4.
Here beam is swept back & forth from left to the right
When beam is moved from left to right it is ON.
When beam is moved from right to left it is OFF and process of moving
beam from right to left after completion of row is known as Horizontal
Retrace.
When beam is reach at the bottom of the screen. It is made OFF and
rapidly retraced back to the top left to start again and process of moving
back to top is known as Vertical Retrace.
The screen image is maintained by repeatedly scanning the same image.
This process is known as Refreshing of Screen.
In raster scan displays a special area of memory is dedicated to graphics
only. This memory is called Frame Buffer.
On a black and white system with one bit per pixel the frame buffer is
commonly called a Bitmap. And for systems with multiple bits per pixel,
the frame buffer is often referred as a Pixmap.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

ADVANTAGES:
Real life images with different shades can be displayed.
Color range available is bigger than random scan display.
DISADVANTAGES:
Resolution is lower than random scan display.
More memory is required.
Data about the intensities of all pixel has to be stored.
Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Color CRT monitors

A CRT monitors displays color pictures by using a combination of phosphors that emit different colored light.
It produces range of colors by combining the light emitted by different phosphors.
There are two basic techniques for color display:
1. Beam-penetration technique
2. Shadow-mask technique
This technique is used with random scan monitors.
Beam-penetration technique In this technique inside of CRT coated with two phosphor layers usually red
and green. The outer layer of red and inner layer of green phosphor.
The color depends on how far the electron beam penetrates into the
phosphor layer.
A beam of fast electron penetrates more and excites inner green layer while
slow electron excites outer red layer.
At intermediate beam speed we can produce combination of red and green
lights which emit additional two colors orange and yellow.
The beam acceleration voltage controls the speed of the electrons and hence
color of pixel.
It is a low cost technique to produce color in random scan monitors.
It can display only four colors
Quality of picture is not good compared to other techniques.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

2. Shadow-mask technique It produces wide range of colors as compared to beam-penetration

technique.
This technique is generally used in raster scan displays. Including color TV.
In this technique CRT has three phosphor color dots at each pixel position.
One dot for red, one for green and one for blue light. This is commonly
known as Dot Triangle.
Here in CRT there are three electron guns present, one for each color dot.
And a shadow mask grid just behind the phosphor coated screen.
The shadow mask grid consists of series of holes aligned with the phosphor
dot pattern.
Three electron beams are deflected and focused as a group onto the shadow
mask and when they pass through a hole they excite a dot triangle.
In dot triangle three phosphor dots are arranged so that each electron beam
can activate only its corresponding color dot when it passes through the
shadow mask.
A dot triangle when activated appears as a small dot on the screen which has
color of combination of three small dots in the dot triangle.
By changing the intensity of the three electron beams we can obtain
different colors in the shadow mask CRT.
Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

In raster scan display we do refreshing of the screen to maintain a screen image.

DVST gives alternative method for maintaining the screen image
DVST uses the storage grid which stores the picture information as a charge
distribution just behind the phosphor coated screen.
DVST consists two electron guns a primary gun and a flood gun.
A primary gun stores the picture pattern and the flood gun maintains the picture
display.
A primary gun emits high speed electrons which strike on the storage grid to
draw the picture pattern.
As electron beam strikes on the storage grid with high speed, it knocks out
electrons from the storage grid keeping the net positive charge.
The knocked out electrons are attracted towards the collector.
The net positive charge on the storage grid is nothing but the picture pattern
The continuous low speed electrons from flood gun pass through the control
grid and are attracted to the positive charged area of the storage grid.
The low speed electrons then penetrate the storage grid and strike the
phosphor coating without affecting the positive charge pattern on the storage
grid.
During this process the collector just behind the storage grid smooth out the
flow of flood electrons.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Advantage of DVST
Refreshing of CRT is not required.
Very complex pictures can be displayed at very high resolution without flicker.
Flat screen.

Disadvantage of DVST
They do not display color and are available with single level of line intensity.
For erasing it is necessary to removal of charge on the storage grid so erasing and redrawing
process take several second.
Erasing selective part of the screen cannot be possible.
Cannot used for dynamic graphics application as on erasing it produce unpleasant flash over
entire screen.
It has poor contrast as a result of the comparatively low accelerating potential applied to the
flood electrons.
The performance of DVST is somewhat inferior to the refresh CRT.
 Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

Flat Panel Display

The term flat panel display refers to a class of video device that have reduced volume, weight & power requirement
compared to a CRT.
As flat panel display is thinner than CRTs, we can hang them on walls or wear on our wrists.
Since we can even write on some flat panel displays they will soon be available as pocket notepads.
We can separate flat panel display in two categories:
1.Emissive displays: - the emissive display or emitters are devices that convert electrical energy into light.
For Ex. Plasma panel, thin film electroluminescent displays and light emitting diodes.
2.Non emissive displays: - non emissive display or non emitters use optical effects to convert sunlight or light
from some other source into graphics patterns. For Ex. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
Computer Graphics School of Information Technology
Program – BCA VI Semester

This is also called gas discharge displays.

It is constructed by filling the region between two glass plates with a
mixture of gases that usually includes neon.
A series of vertical conducting ribbons is placed on one glass panel
and a set of horizontal ribbon is built into the other glass panel.
Firing voltage is applied to a pair of horizontal and vertical
conductors cause the gas at the intersection of the two conductors
to break down into glowing plasma of electrons and ions.
Picture definition is stored in a refresh buffer and the firing voltages
are applied to refresh the pixel positions, 60 times per second.
Alternating current methods are used to provide faster application
of firing voltages and thus brighter displays.
Separation between pixels is provided by the electric field of
conductor.
One disadvantage of plasma panels is they were strictly
monochromatic device that means shows only one color other than
black and white.
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Light Emitting Diode (LED) Program – BCA VI Semester

In this display a matrix of multi-color light emitting diode is arranged to form the pixel position in the display. And the
picture definition is stored in refresh buffer.
Similar to scan line refreshing of CRT information is read from the refresh buffer and converted to voltage levels that
are applied to the diodes to produce the light pattern on the display
It is generally used in small system such as calculator and portable
laptop.
This non emissive device produce picture by passing polarized light
from the surrounding or from an internal light source through liquid
crystal material that can be aligned to either block or transmit the
light.
The liquid crystal refreshes to fact that these compounds have
crystalline arrangement of molecules then also flows like liquid.
It consists of two glass plates each with light polarizer at right angles
to each other sandwich the liquid crystal material between the
plates.
Rows of horizontal transparent conductors are built into one glass
plate, and column of vertical conductors are put into the other
plates.
The intersection of two conductors defines a pixel position. In the
ON state polarized light passing through material is twisted so that it
will pass through the opposite polarizer
In the OFF state it will reflect back towards source. We applied a
voltage to the two intersecting conductor to align the molecules so