What is Graphics: Definition and 116 Discussions

Graphics (from Greek γραφικός graphikos, "belonging to drawing") are visual images or designs on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, screen, paper, or stone to inform, illustrate, or entertain. In contemporary usage, it includes a pictorial representation of data, as in c manufacture, in typesetting and the graphic arts, and in educational and recreational software. Images that are generated by a computer are called computer graphics.
Examples are photographs, drawings, line art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,
or other images. Graphics often combine text, illustration, and color. Graphic design may consist of the deliberate selection, creation, or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flyer, poster, web site, or book without any other element. Clarity or effective communication may be the objective, association with other cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the creation of a distinctive style.
Graphics can be functional or artistic. The latter can be a recorded version, such as a photograph, or interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features, or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may become blurred. It can also be used for architecture.

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  1. S

    Normalizing Vectors and Light in Computer Graphics

    I am trying to understand how light works in computer graphics. Especially OpenGL 3+. So I was given a paper that says how to calculate light. It says "normalise the vectors before taking the dot product".How do I normalize vectors and why? I have to compute the normals to a vertex. What is a...
  2. R

    Fluid simulation for computer graphics

    Can someone explain to me how fluids are simulated using particles? What equations to solve? How to update the particle positions? How awfully computer intensive is the algorithm? Can a simulation using a 100 * 100 * 10 grid run okay on the average computer? The more I read the more I realize...
  3. J

    What is the best method for projecting 3D graphics?

    When it comes to graphics (what I have learned) is that what you see on the screen is data placed in a memory (video buffer) and then the data or pixel is then plotted onto the screen. So when you manipulate the data in the video buffer you will also manipulate the pixels on the screen. Then...
  4. J

    Simple graphics library for C?

    Hi Anyone knows a nice and simple graphics library for C (Windows 7) that is not openGL nor GT. All I want to do is plot pixels on the screen. In a window or directly in the console.
  5. G

    Mathematica [Mathematica] Combining several Graphics in a Graphics3D

    Hello all, I'll try to make myself clear... My goal here is to plot a function f(x,y) in 3D. But, instead of using the Plot3D[] function, I made a table of Plot[] for, say, several values of the x variable. So I'm now with a list which looks like this ...
  6. B

    On a scale of 1-100 how bad is my graphics card?

    1 being the worst you can buy right now, 100 the best you can buy right now i got a mobile intel R 4 series express chipset family with a booster: nvidia geforce G210M cuda 512Mb i think that's right. >.> could be wrong though :s the dxdiag window thing just says the mobile intel r 4 stuff but...
  7. B

    LaTeX Latex Graphics Acts Like Nothing Happened, Baffles Student.

    Hi everyone, I'm trying to put graphics into a lab report in LaTeX, and the images simply won't show up. I've tried doing it several ways, including this: \begin{figure}[h] \begin{center} \includegraphics{SeminalEmulsion.jpg} \caption{default} \label{default} \end{center} \end{figure}...
  8. B

    Embedding vector graphics in Word docs - vector field plots

    I have a question: hope this fits under "Calculus" topic. I am trying to embed vector graphics in my Word documents. MathCAD does this quite nicely for xy-plots, but MathCAD is awkward for constructing vector fields like those you'd find in electrodynamics. I could use Maple, but those embeds...
  9. iamjon.smith

    Comp Sci Java Graphics & 2D Help me animate this

    Java Graphics & 2D Help me animate this! Instructions : Using Graphics and Graphics2D, create a neon sign for your business logo. Create your logo to include a shape and the name of your business. The logo should flash off and on continuously. You may get as creative as you wish with your...
  10. T

    Idea for graphics programming project?

    Hello! I'm studying graphics programming right now, and in the end of this one semester long course we are going to make a project in which we will program an application that displays some nice graphics. I want to take this as an opportunity to show that I have a talent for programming (having...
  11. I

    C - graphics library for physical models

    Hello everyone, haven't been here in a while. My tutor asked me wether I wouldn't be interested in writing a smal program to illustrate one particular case of 3-body problem. I definitely would be, it's just that I've never written any application displaying anything. Numerical calculations...
  12. M

    How Can I Create and Connect Circuit Elements in Mathematica Using Graphics?

    Homework Statement I need to find a away to make circuit elements (resister capacitor etec) in Mathematica using lines graphic, and I am new to this so I am not really sure how...and i need to connect the elements to make a circuit. i think i made a resister Graphics[Line[{{0, 0}...
  13. A

    LaTeX Placement of graphics in LaTeX

    Is there any way I can tell LaTeX to place an image on the right of a slide *without* using the "figure" environment?
  14. L

    Free Graphics Programs for an Animation Project in Wisconsin

    Hi Folks I am trying to create an animated graphic to support a theory requested by a Prof in Winsconsin, I am wondering if anyone can help, is there a good free program out there that will allow me to create an animated cartoon of the particles in my model?? Tried a few but nothing...
  15. A

    Beginner Programmer Seeks Creative Ideas for Graphics Project

    I am just a beginner of programming and till now I have done much simple programming, just like printing multiplication tables or different sequences of (*) using FOR Loop. Now, last week, my teacher introduced us to the new graphics mode of the Turbo C, and at the end of a lesson, she asked...
  16. Y

    Fix GeForce GTS 250 Graphics Problem (Code 19) Urgently

    Graphics Problem [Urgent] This shows on my Device Manager. Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19) It's for my GeForce GTS 250. After I installed HP Display Assistant, nothing happened. So I...
  17. D

    Behaviour of materials for computer graphics applications

    Hi, I am not a physicist. I am trying to understand something about the behaviour of materials for computer graphics applications. I am trying to get an intuitive understanding of refraction. As far as I understand it - and please correct me if I am wrong - lightwave's phase velocity is...
  18. I

    Mathematica Mathematica - Positioning Graphics

    Hey there, I am having a difficult time getting an inset graphic to align properly. Essentially I am trying to create two sets of plots, both have the radial function with some graphics inset at the top right corner. The first set has the density plots inset, and as can be seen in the first...
  19. N

    Nvlddmkm + Graphics Card Update

    Hey guys, Recently my computer has been hit with the nvlddmkm.sys error. Basically the screen blinks black every few minutes and then finally the monitor dies on me and requires a reboot before I can use my computer again. I have found a temporary fix, by deleting the nvlddmkm.sys file in...
  20. C

    3D Graphics Light In-Scattering

    I'm looking into the 3d graphics equations for light traveling through a medium. Specifically, light traveling along a ray to the eye. One of the components is called in-scattering, where light is scattered into this ray to add light. They define a phase function phase(v', v) which describes...
  21. A

    Real time Vs. Rendered (referring to graphics)

    "Real time" Vs. "Rendered" (referring to graphics) what does this mean?
  22. Pattonias

    Using the disabled on-board graphics card as a Physics unit?

    I have seen drivers that allow you to use one of a SLI cards as a physics processor. I was wondering if boards with a built in, but unused, graphics chip could be turned on and used as a physics processor. I'm not really concerned with the "why would you want to" but more the "is it possible".
  23. D

    Computer Graphics: Why Raytracers Treat Light as Particles

    Why do computer graphics programs like raytracers treat light almost exclusively as a particle rather than a wave?
  24. S

    What is the Best Book to Learn the Application of Math in 3D Graphics?

    Anyone here can recommend me a book that teaches on how to use mathematics like Integration, and Differentiation? I found one but it just use Linear Algebra which is so common in most books. Gamedev.net's users said that it is use in physics and animation, how can I do that? I don't get how it...
  25. R

    Program for such vector graphics

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_force_(rotating_reference_frame)" http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/16/Equation_motion_body.png Using which program can I create such vector drawings? THanks
  26. J

    Mathematica Problem showing graphics in Mathematica

    Hi all, I solved a problem of electrostatics potencial of a cylinder with special condicions. When I plotted the obtained solution, I used this code: \[Epsilon] = 8.8541878176 10^-12; R=1; maxx=10; Vin[\[Rho]_, \[Phi]_] := (2 \[Sigma] R)/(\[Pi] \[Epsilon]) Sum[If[OddQ[k], 1/k^2 Sin[k...
  27. P

    C/C++ How can I incorporate graphics into my C++ code?

    How can I use graphics in my C++ code? I'm making a project of basic level (cricket score board) and I need to incorporate graphics in it. Are there any online tutorials etc. for graphics? P.S. I use Visual C++ 6.0 compiler.
  28. R

    Do i need approval to use graphics from one paper in another paper ?

    just wondering whether copyright approval is needed if i use say an fMRI image from a paper in my own ? If so do they require payment ? If anybody has had to do this were there any complications, such as the copyright holder having to review in what context the image was used ? Thanks...
  29. M

    Boomerang , its wings and many engineering graphics

    I found a sport boomerang design software from denmark and it fired my passion to learn the background and making the same of its simulations about its wings. If you are interested search for ulf valentin and his software. I want to know to see pressure map on a wing. And air movement and...
  30. T

    Math graphics publishing software

    What graphics publishing tools are commonly used for textbooks, journals, etc? (I am thinking of the 3D plots one might find in a calculus book, things like that) It seems like Mathematica, Maple, and Matlab are great for plotting, but are they also suitable for publishing? They don't seem to...
  31. JasonJo

    LaTeX Best program to make graphics for LaTeX?

    Best program to make graphics for LaTeX?? I need to make some decent looking graphics for a LaTeX document. I want to make near textbook style graphics if possible. I mean pictures of surfaces, tangent vectors, intervals, cantor sets, directed graphs, etc. I have heard of two programs, IPE...
  32. B

    Embossing graphics into a casting - any idea of max resolution?

    We're producing high quality steel castings which are then hot dip galvanized, so the surface has a layer of zinc in addition to the steel. We need to cast some basic branding and size details into the product, with a slightly raised embossing, and I can't get any sensible info from anyone...
  33. L

    How to use graphics and sound in C?

    I would like to write a C program that outputs graphics and sound. I use DevC++. How can I do it?
  34. G

    Toroids on graphics cards and some other circuits

    I've seen toroids on graphics cards and some other circuits; what is their function? I know that they help in keeping a uniform magnetic field...but what do they do for a graphics card or any other device they're on?
  35. R

    Calculators Graphics Calculator for Solving Trig Functions w/ Variables

    Does anyone know of a graphics calculator that can solve simultaneous equations that have trigonometric functions with variables ie. cos(x)?
  36. B

    Is There a User-Friendly Program for Creating Truth Trees?

    I'm looking for a simple program that will create truth trees for me. You see graphics like this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ad/Partially_built_tableau.svg/200px-Partially_built_tableau.svg.png) all the time, but I can't believe anybody would be fiddling around on MS Paint...
  37. K

    Computer Graphics Assigment Help

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I know how to solve B. Since the point C is on AB. Z_C=tZ_A+(1-t)Z_B, then since t is a function of Z_A, Z_B and s, we can write Z_C as a function of those. However, I don't have a clue for part A. Triangle OAB...
  38. D

    Looking for good graphics language.

    Hello. I want to find a computer language for doing real-time interactive graphics. I want to be able to operate on each point of an image in real-time. For example I thought it would be interesting to be able to write a program that will perform a Fourier Transform on an image, do some...
  39. C

    I want a new graphics card, but don't know if PCI slots will be ok

    I was thinking of buying a new graphics card, but I had a quick look in my computer earlier today, and I have some PCI slots on the motherboard, but all the new graphics cards use PCI express. Will there be a problem trying to install a new graphics card on the motherboard I already have?
  40. M

    LaTeX Including graphics in LaTeX Help

    hi, I'm trying to put a graph generated in maple into a latex document, but I have no experience using either program. So far I've been able to save my maple plot in postscript format, and based on various online tutorials I've included the \usepackage{graphics} comand after...
  41. Schrodinger's Dog

    Understanding Graphics Card Jargon: Explaining Specs and Features for Upgrading

    What is all the Jargon on the back of a graphics card box, or in teh "spec" What is 4 times anti aliasing is one question. This one is not too bad, but I've bolded all the parts I understand, the rest is gibberish? Anyone want to explain some details, so I know what the hell there banging on...
  42. A

    Graphics with Onboard Intel Extreme Graphics 2 on ASUS P5PE VM

    I ahve an ASUS P5PE VM motherboard.Its got Intel Extreme graphics 2 onboard.Now its video encoding is pretty poor.I had an intel 845GLAD before this board.It had 64mb of graphics memory .] While the 845GLAD encoded video perfectly and i had no problems running games and videos on websites...
  43. mattmns

    New Graphics Card for PC: $100 Budget

    My graphics card apparently died, and I am currently using the card that came with my computer (an Nvidia geforce 4 MX 420, at least five years old). I had an ATI 9700 pro (I think it was 128mb) that was probably four years old, which worked quite well, until today :smile: Apparently prices...
  44. murshid_islam

    LaTeX Troubleshooting LaTeX Graphics in PF Blogs

    does LaTex work in the blogs in PF? it is not working in my blog? i tried the following: e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0 but it doesn't show on the blog. it says: "LaTex graphics is being generated. Reload this page in a moment." but it doesn't work even after i reload.
  45. EnumaElish

    How do they put graphics on the football field?

    On TV, "special effects" graphics seem to appear on a football field (e.g. indicating yardage of a run), and they look pretty real. Who puts it there, and how?
  46. E

    Looking for a 3D graphics program to draw balls in space

    Is there exist a program that I just give the (x,y,z) coordinates, and the program draw me a 3D ball where I asked. I will use it to draw a crystall consisting of balls. I need the program to help me visualize the structure of a crystal, and to draw a picture of a crystall, and identify the...
  47. D

    PCI Graphics Card for Gaming Under 70 Euro - Recommendations?

    Hey everyone- a friend of mine is looking to buy a new PCI [not PCI express] graphics card- he justs wants something that will be able to run most new games - though not at any great quality. Does anyone know if a graphics card ~70 euro would be able to run games such as Oblivion and...
  48. tony873004

    High resolution = tiny words and graphics

    I just got a 21 inch CRT monitor. I like to set my monitor at 1920x1440 when looking at pictures from my digital camera. The screen is then almost large enough to show the entire picture without reducing the picture's sized and hence resolution. But then everything else is tiny. For...
  49. M

    What Are Some Ideas for Custom Graphics on Physics Forums?

    I think PF needs some custom graphics! Userbars, signatures, affiliates banner, avatars etc. anyone here skilled with gfx? Also, does anyone got any suggestions on how these graphics would look like? C'mon people, let's brainstorm for PF :P
  50. A

    Best Software for Drawing Graphics on a Computer for LaTeX Documents?

    (I doubt it's the ideal forum for this question, but I found no better. Mentors, feel free to move it if you think it will get better answers somewhere else) Hi, I use a computer to submit Math and Physics homework and work with a LaTeX editor called LyX. The problem is that I don't have a...
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