HIDDEN SURFACE AND LINE REMOVAL IN 3-D GRAPHICS

Abstract

Computer Graphics has added a new dimension to computer revolution and it has become an extremely efficient medium for communication between man and computer. A number of graphics software packages are available in the market and PLOT 10 IGLi a graphics software package developed by Tektronix corporation, U.S.A., is one of the popular packages. Using PLOT 10 2-D and 3-D subroutines, an user can generate charts, maps and wire-frame diagrams of objects respectively. Wire-frame drawings look as if they are wire out lines of the solid objects and all parts of the objects are always visible irrespective of the point of view. The information, what is hidden and visible, is not communicated to the user. A study has been carried out for identifying back faces and front faces of objects, for splitting the front faces into triangles and for sorting the triangles etc., in order to remove hidden surfaces and hidden lines in 3-D graphics. An attempt has been made to develop a software package, in the 'C' language, for the same. The package is compatible with PLOT 10 3-D IGL and is portable to any system whi4ch has a 'C' compiler and PLOT 10 3-D IGL software pack age .