3D computer graphics

Lore & Background

3-D computer graphics software began appearing for home computers in the late 1970s. The earliest known example is 3D Art Graphics, a set of 3-D computer graphics effects, written by Kazumasa Mitazawa and released in June 1978 for the Apple II.

Reader's Guide

3D computer graphics have become a foundational technology across numerous fields, including entertainment, scientific visualization, engineering, and virtual reality. The ability to create three-dimensional models and render them into two-dimensional images or animations has enabled the production of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in films, video games, and simulations. The workflow—modeling, layout and animation, and rendering—provides a structured approach that artists and engineers use to bring virtual objects to life. The distinction between 2D and 3D computer graphics is significant, as 3D graphics rely on geometric data and mathematical representations, while 2D graphics use different methods.

However, the two fields share algorithms: 3D computer graphics rely on many of the same algorithms as 2D computer vector graphics in the wire-frame model and 2D computer raster graphics in the final rendered display. Additionally, 2D applications may use 3D techniques to achieve effects such as lighting, and 3D may use some 2D rendering techniques. The legacy of 3D computer graphics includes the development of virtual reality systems, 3D printing (where models are rendered into physical representations), and a wide range of software tools for modeling, rendering, and animation. The field continues to evolve, with real-time rendering engines and advanced simulation techniques expanding its applications.