Overview of Graphics System 1

Unit 1: Overview of Graphics System

Notes
Structure
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Applications of Computer Graphics
1.2.1 Computer Aided Design
1.2.2 Computer Games and Entertainment
1.2.3 Medicine Technology
1.2.4 In Art field
1.2.5 Education and Training
1.2.6 Image Processing
1.2.7 Graphical User Interface (GUI’s)
1.3 Input devices used in Computer Graphics
1.4 Video Display Devices
1.4.1 Raster Scan CRT
1.4.2 Raster Scan Displays
1.4.3 Random Scan Display
1.4.4 Direct-view Storage Tube (DVST)
1.4.5 Flat panel Display
1.4.6 Liquid Crystal Display
1.5 Graphic Software
1.6 Summary
1.7 Check Your Progress
1.8 Questions and Exercises
1.9 Key Terms
1.10 Further Readings

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
z Understanding the Fundamentals of computer graphics.
z Discuss the Applications of computer graphics in different areas.
z Explain the Random and raster scan display.
z Understand Display devices

1.1 Introduction
Computer graphics is a subfield of computer science which studies methods for digitally
synthesizing and manipulating visual content. Computer graphics is a creation and
manipulation of pictures with the aids of computers.
Two types of computer graphics techniques can be used:
1 Interactive computer graphics and
2 Passive or non-interactive computer graphics.
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In interactive computer graphics user having control over image by providing some
input device so that he/she can signal requests to the computer. It involves two-way
Notes communications between computer and user. User gives signals using input devices
and computer modify displayed image accordingly. In this way we maintain
conversation or dialogue with computer. For example like video games.
Passive computer graphics: Computer graphics in which operations that transfer
automatically without operator intervention i.e. users don’t perform any dialogue with
computer system unlike interactive computer graphics.
Basic graphics system:

Figure 1.1: Basic Graphics System

1.2 Applications of Computer Graphics

Computer graphics is used in a wide variety of applications ranging from day to day
activity to specialized areas like engineering, medicine, education and training, CAD,
research, entertainment, in business and etc.
Some of major application areas of computer graphics are listed below:
1. Computer aided design (CAD)
2. ART
3. Computer games and entertainment
4. Education and training
5. Medical applications
6. Image processing
7. Graphical user interface

1.2.1 Computer Aided Design

CAD is the best-known and biggest application of computer graphics. Computer aided
design methods are used in designs of buildings, automobiles, aircraft, computers,
spacecraft, textiles and many other products.

Figure 1.2: Use of Computer Graphics in CAD

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Software packages for CAD applications provide designer a multi-window
environment. Circuit networks for communications, water supply or other utilities are
constructed with repeated placement of a few graphical shapes. These shapes can be Notes
used in design to represent different network or circuit components. Animations can be
used in CAD applications. Real-time animations using wireframe displays on a monitor
are useful for testing performance of a vehicle or system. Many other kinds of systems
and products are designed using either CAD packages or using specifically developed
CAD packages.

Figure 1.3: Use of Computer Graphics in CAD

1.2.2 Computer Games and Entertainment

Games are important driving force in computer graphics. These games attract children
and teenagers. Cartoon animation is additional concept to this idea. Computer graphics
methods are commonly used in making motion pictures and music .The planet and
spaceship can be in wireframe form and will be shaded with rendering methods to
produce solid surfaces. A graphical scene generated for the movie star trek.
How the game’s industry drives the field computer graphics:
1. Focus on interactivity
2. Cost-effective solutions
3. Avoiding computation and other tricks
4. Games drive the baseline

Figure 1.4: Use of Computer Graphics in Games

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Notes

Figure 1.5: Geri’s games

1.2.3 Medicine Technology

Medical domain provides opportunities for the application of computer graphics,
visualization and virtual environments, with the potential to improve healthcare and
bring benefits to patients. Now a days, III-D image of human brain is being developed
with help of multiple X-ray images of brain and procedure is known as Computerized
Axial Tomography (CAT).

Figure 1.6: Use of Computer Graphics in medical

CAT scan method is best for detecting brain tumors and other types of disorders.
Medical scientist use computer graphics for detecting problems of sensitive organs,
tissues and other types of disorder.

Figure 1.7: Use of Computer Graphics in medical

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In future time will come, when a surgeon can perform an operation by remote
control, utilizing computer graphics and robotics.
Notes
1.2.4 In Art field
Computer graphics is used for drawing different type of real and abstract pictures. We
can able to develop a good quality picture from a faded and discolored picture. We can
modify the picture by increasing contrast, resizing, adding different colors etc.

(a) (b)
Figure 1.8: (a) Image and (b) Bloopers

Computer graphics is used in employed of commercials using morphing. In

morphing one object is transformed to another. This method is used in TV commercials
like an automobile is converted into tiger, one person face can be converted into
another.

1.2.5 Education and Training

Using computer graphics we can able to create models of physical, financial and
economic systems which can be used as educational aids. These models will helps in
understanding of the system. For example color-coded diagram can be used to explain
different types of operations of a nuclear reactor.
For training purpose specialized system can be designed. Computer graphics helps
in simulating views that will help the operators to see system under various
circumstances. Complex chemical, mechanical and industrial processes can be
simulated in action so that new personnel can be trained before they will handle actual
equipment. Example of specialized system includes aircraft pilot, simulators for practice
session or training of ship captains etc. Automobile driving simulator can be used for
investigation of behavior of drivers in critical situations.

1.2.6 Image Processing

Computer graphics is used to create pictures whereas image processing applies
techniques to modify or interpret the existing pictures such as photographs. Image
processing capabilities used in medical graphics, to digitize the shading and colors,
rearrange, sharpen and improve the contrast of scanned image from existing image.
Tomography is a technique of X-ray photography that allows cross-section views of
physiological systems to be displayed.
Principles of image processing:
1. To improve picture quality
2. Machine perception of visual information as used in robotics
Image processing and computer graphics are collectively used in many
applications. One application is referred as computer-aided surgery.

1.2.7 Graphical User Interface (GUI’s)

Every software package must provide a graphical user interface. Without GUI a
software package can’t be imagine. GUI is an integral part of everyday computing.

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Graphics elements such as windows, cursor, menu, icons are so common that it is
difficult to imagine computing without them.
Notes
Icons represent different options for painting, drawing, zooming, typing and other
operations connected with picture construction. Today, nearly all professional
programmers must have an understanding of graphics in order to accept input and
present output to users.

Figure 1.9: Graphical User Interface

1.3 Input devices used in Computer Graphics

Computer system needs some input-output devices in order to communicate with users.
Input devices are those which allow information to be communicated from outside the
computer to computer system.
Commonly used input devices are:
z Keyboard
z Trackball and space-ball
z Joystick
z Mouse
z Paddle controls
z Light pen
z Touch screen
z Image scanners

Keyboard
Keyboard is a commonly used input device. When a key is pressed, the position of key
pressed is found by internal circuitry to find out corresponding row and column position
of the key. This set of information passed to a decoder which gives an equivalent ASCII
code of pressed key. Output in ASCII forms goes to CPU. ASCII allows computer to
encode keyboards characters. Using ASCII keyboard is able to communicate with
computer by sending a specific 7-bit code for each key.
In addition to these keys several keyboard provide additional functionality such as
save drawing, rotate and remove objects are commonly found on functional keys.

Trackball and Space-ball

Trackball is a special type of input devices consisting of a ball which can be rotated in
any directions by tip of figure or by the palm of the hand. Trackball is connected with
CPU and it controls the positions of the cursors on the screen. A trackball is two-
dimensional positioning device.
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Unlike trackball, a space-ball will provide six degrees of freedom. A space-ball
doesn’t move. Space balls are used for three-dimensional positioning and selection
operations in virtual-reality systems, CAD, animations and other applications. Notes
Joystick
Joystick is used for moving objects on the screen. Using joystick we can’t able to enter
text data into the computer but used for select, move or draw any graphical objects.

Mouse
Mouse is an input devices used in interactive computer graphics. On upper side of
mouse there are two or three buttons placed using which some actions are controlled.
Mouse is placed on soft rubber base known as mouse pad. From movement of wheels
of mouse CPU gets information about horizontal or vertical movement and accordingly
cursor will move. For selecting an item proper action key is pressed. Nearly in all
computer graphics applications, mouse is an essential input device.

Figure 1.10: Input devices

Paddle Control
In paddle control two control knobs are provided, one for movement of x and other for
movement of y. It is an analog input device.

Light Pen
It is a pointing device. It has a light sensitive tip which is excited when light is emitted,
when an illuminated point on screen comes in its field of view. User will point with the
pen to perform an operation such as drawing of a line or rotating an object on a CRT.
A light pen is an event driven device. Processor has to wait till it across an
illuminated point on the screen to obtain any information.

Image Scanner
Graphs, drawing, black and white photos or text can be stored for processing using
image scanners. After getting internal representation of a picture we can apply several
transformations to rotate, scale a picture to a particular screen area. We can apply
various image processing methods to modify array representation of the picture.

Touch Screen
It is an input device in which user can enter data by touching some sensitive areas of
the screen. After invoking the program, it display possible choices and user have to
select his/her choices.

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Normally touch screen uses a group of infrared light emitting diodes along a
horizontal edge and along vertical edge contain light detectors. When fingers are placed
Notes on screen, light beam are interrupted and sensed by build in sensors.

1.4 Video Display Devices

The display devices are known as output devices. The most commonly used output
device in a graphics video monitor. The operations of most video monitors are based on
the standard cathode-ray-tube (CRT) design.

1.4.1 Raster Scan CRT

Raster scan cathode ray tube is an output device used for displaying graphical objects.
It is commonly used in television sets. A CRT is an evacuated glass bottle, with a
heating element on one end and a phosphor coated screen on the other.
Electron gun consists of a series of components are heated metal cathode and
control grid. Electron gun emits a stream of electrons that is accelerated towards the
phosphor-coated screen by a high positive voltage applied near the face of the tube. In
this path electrons are forced into a narrow beam by focusing mechanism and directed
towards a particular point on the screen. When electrons hit the screen, phosphor emits
light.

Figure 1.11: Basic Cathode Ray Tube

Control electrode used to regulate flow of electrons. Control electrode is connected

to an amplifier which is connected to the output circuitry of computer system, which
allows controlling when electron beam is turned on or off. Deflection yoke is used to
control direction of the electron beam. The electrons are sent flying out of the neck of
the bottle called a yolk, until they smash into the phosphor coating on the other end of
the bottle.
Different types of phosphorous available with different persistence. Persistence
means time it takes the emitted light from the screen to decay one-tenth of its original
intensity. Lower persistence needs higher refresh rates to visible picture without flickers.
Higher persistence phosphorous is useful for displaying complex static picture.

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Overview of Graphics System 9
Phosphor’s light output decay exponentially with time, the entire picture need to
refreshed several times per second, so viewer can see a constant, unflickering image.
In Random-scan display refresh rate directly depends on picture complexity, but in Notes
refresh rate for Raster scan display is independent on picture complexity. Greater the
complexity of a picture, a refresh cycle take more time and this causes lower refresh
rate.
Refresh rate of a CRT means number of times per second the image is redrawn.
Phosphor’s fluorescence is the light emitted as these very unstable electrons lose
their excess energy while the phosphor is being struck by electrons.
Resolution means maximum number of points that can be displayed without
overlapping. It can also be defined as number of points per centimeter that can be
plotted horizontally or vertically. Typical resolution of high quality systems are 1280 by
1024, with higher resolutions available on systems.
Aspect ratio is the ratio of vertical points to horizontal points necessary to produce
equal-length line in both directions. Example: An aspect ratio of 4/5 means that a
vertical line plotted with 4 points requires same length as horizontal line with 5 points.

1.4.2 Raster Scan Displays

It is synonym to the term “matrix”. Therefore a raster scan CRT scans a matrix with an
electron beam. In raster scan electron is swept through the screen one row at a time
from top to bottom. electron beam move across each row, beam intensity is turned on
or off to create a pattern of illuminated spots. Picture definition is stored in frame buffer
or refresh buffer, which holds set of intensity values for all the screen points. Stored
intensity are retrieved from frame buffer and painted on the screen one row (called scan
line) at a time. We refer each screen point is referred as pixel.
Intensity range for pixel positions depends on capability of raster system. In a black
and white system we need one bit per pixel to control intensity of each pixel as each
pixel is either on or off. System having one bit per pixel is referred as bitmap. System
with multiple bits per pixel is referred as pixmap. These extra bits represents color and
intensity variation.
After completion of each scan line, electron beam return to left corner of next line to
be scanned. Returning to left of the screen of next line is known as horizontal retrace.
At the end of each frame buffer electron beam return to top left corners of the
screen to begin with next frame. Returning to beginning of top left corner is known as
vertical retrace.

Figure 1.12: Scan line, horizontal and vertical retrace

In some raster scan system like TV sets each frame buffer is displayed into two
passes. In first pass beam sweeps across odd number of scan line scan line from top to
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bottom, then vertical retrace followed by second pass in which remaining lines are
scanned. Above procedure called interlaced refresh procedure.
Notes
In Interactive raster scan display in addition to a CPU, we need a special purpose
processor called video controller or display controller, which is used to control operation
of display device. A part of system memory is used as frame buffer. Display controller
access the frame buffer to refresh the screen.

Figure 1.13: Architecture of Raster Scan Systems

Frame buffer locations and corresponding screen positions are refereed as

cartesian coordinates. Assume frame buffer is addressed in x from 0 to xmax and y from
0 to ymax. At start of refresh cycle x- register is set to 0 and y-register is set to ymax. At
first scan line the x- register is incremented up to xmax. Figure 1.14 represents refresh
operations of the video controller. Each pixel value is fetched and used to control the
intensity of CRT beam. After first scan x-register is reset to zero and y-register
decremented by one.
Since we have to refresh screen at a rate of 60 frames per second. The above
procedure is slow. For speed up processing video controllers can retrieve multiple pixel
values from refresh buffer on each pass.

Figure 1.14: Refresh Procedure

In high quality system two frame buffers are used, one used for refreshing and other
is used for intensity values.

1.4.3 Random Scan Display

Random scan display is also referred as vector, stroke, line drawing or calligraphic
displays. Vector is used as synonym to line. In random scan display consist of a display
controller connected as an I/O peripheral to the CPU (central processing unit), a display
buffer memory and CRT.

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In Random scan display we draw one line at a time. Component line of a picture is
refreshed by a random scan display. In random scan display refresh rate depends on
how many lines we have to display. Picture def. is stored in display list which consist of Notes
a set of line drawing commands. For displaying a picture system cycle goes through
these set of line commands in display list, taking one line at a time. In Random scan
display we have to draw all lines of display list 30-60 times per second.
Usually random scan display used for line drawing applications and can’t be used
for displaying realistic shaded scenes. Random scan display produce smooth lines as
compared to raster scan display where jagged lines are drawn. Vector display has
higher resolution than raster because picture definition is stored as a set of line drawing
instructions and not as a set of intensity values for all screen points.

1.4.4 Direct-view storage tube (DVST)

Here a screen image is stored in form of picture information. Main difference between
standard VDU and DVST is that in case of VDU the screen is refreshed in a time cycle,
but in DVST refresh pulse is not used and it stores images as a charge distribution and
is placed behind the phosphor-coated screen. Another difference is that two gun are
used, one for storing picture pattern called primary gun and another one called flood
gun used to control the picture to display properly.
In DVST no refresh system is used, no flickering of the object is observed on the
screen, so very complex picture can be displayed at very higher resolution without
flickering. Disadvantage of DVST is that it is used in black and white system and once
picture is stored, it can’t be edited and part of picture can’t be erased directly.

1.4.5 Flat panel Display

As new technologies are emerging so in future CRT monitor might be replaced by flat
panel. Flat panel refer to a class of devices having reduced volume, weight and power
requirement as compared to CRT. Flat panel display are thinner than CRT and can be
hanged on walls or wear them on wrists. One popular use of flat panel display is TV
monitor.
Flat panel display can be divided into two categories:
1. Emissive display (or emitters)
2. Non-emissive display
Emissive display has capability to convert electrical energy into light.
Non-emissive display make use of optical effects to convert sunlight or light from
some other source into graphic system. Example of a non-emissive flat panel display is
liquid-crystal device.

1.4.6 Liquid Crystal display

It is made of following six layers.
1. Vertical polarizer plane
2. Vertical grid wires
3. Thin liquid layers
4. Horizontal grid wires
5. Horizontal polarizer
6. Reflective layer
Liquid crystal material made up of long crystalline molecules. Individual molecules
are arranged in a spiral fashion so that the direction of polarization light passes through
is rotated 90 degree.

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Difference between CRT and Liquid crystal display

Notes Table 1.1: Comparison of CRT and Liquid crystal display

Property CRT Liquid Crystal

Power Consumption Fair Excellent
Weight Poor Excellent
Color capability Excellent Good
Brightness Excellent Good
Contrast Excellent Fair

Important Characteristics of Video Display

Devices Persistence: The major difference between phosphors is their
persistence. It decides how long they continue to emit light after the electron beam is
removed. Persistence is defined as the time it takes the emitted light from the screen to
decay to one-tenth of its original intensity. Lower persistence phosphors require higher
refreshing rates to maintain a picture on the screen without flicker. However it is useful
for displaying animations. On the other hand higher persistence phosphors are useful
for displaying static and highly complex pictures.
Resolution: Resolution indicates the maximum number of points that can be
displayed without overlap on the CRT. It is defined as the number of points per
centimeter that can be plotted horizontally and vertically.
Resolution depends on the type of phosphor, the intensity to be displayed and the
focusing and deflection systems used in the CRT.
Aspect Ratio: It is the ratio of vertical points to horizontal points to produce equal
length lines in both directions on the screen. An aspect ratio of 4/5 means that a vertical
line plotted with four points has the same length as a horizontal line plotted with five
points.

1.5 Graphic Software

In computer graphics, graphics software or image editing software is a program or
collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate visual images on a computer.
Computer graphics can be classified into two distinct categories: raster
graphics and vector graphics. Many graphics programs focus exclusively on either
vector or raster graphics, but there are a few that combine them in interesting ways. It is
simple to convert from vector graphics to raster graphics, but going the other way is
harder. Some software attempts to do this.
In addition to static graphics, there are animation and video editing software.
Most graphics programs have the ability to import and export one or more graphics
file formats. It also can export files to one or more files. Computer graphics also can be
used by other editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Pizap, Microsoft Publisher,
Picasa, etc. Other software that can be used is animation software, video editor
software such as Windows Movie Maker, etc.
The use of a swatch is a palette of active colours that are selected and rearranged
by the preference of the user. A swatch may be used in a program or be part of the
universal palette on an operating system. It is used to change the colour of a text or
image and in video editing. Vector graphics animation can be described as a series of
mathematical transformations that are applied in sequence to one or more shapes in a
scene. Raster graphics animation works in a similar fashion to film-based animation,
where a series of still images produces the illusion of continuous movement.

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1.6 Summary
Computer graphics is a subfield of computer science which studies methods for digitally Notes
synthesizing and manipulating visual content. Computer graphics is a creation and
manipulation of pictures with the aids of computers.
In interactive computer graphics user having control over image by providing some
input device so that he/she can signal requests to the computer. It involves two-way
communications between computer and user. User gives signals using input devices
and computer modify displayed image accordingly. In this way we maintain
conversation or dialogue with computer.
Computer graphics is used in a wide variety of applications ranging from day to day
activity to specialized areas like engineering, medicine, education and training, CAD,
research, entertainment, in business and etc.
Computer system needs some input-output devices in order to communicate with
users. Input devices are those which allow information to be communicated from
outside the computer to computer system.
The display devices are known as output devices. The most commonly used output
device in a graphics video monitor. The operations of most video monitors are based on
the standard cathode-ray-tube (CRT) design.

1.7 Check Your Progress

Multiple Choice Questions
1. ...................... is the ratio of horizontal points to vertical points necessary to produce
equal length lines in both direction.
(a) Dot Pitch
(b) Resolution
(c) Aspect Ratio
(d) Height-Width Ratio
2. In CRT, the electron intensity is adjusted using .................
(a) Accelerating anode
(b) Control grid
(c) Electron gun
(d) Focusing anode
3. Brightness of a display is controlled by varying the voltage on the ......................
(a) Focusing anode
(b) Connection pins
(c) Control grid
(d) Power supply
4. The purpose of refreshing a CRT is ..........................
(a) To avoid flickering
(b) To maintain steady picture
(c) To avoid fading of pixels
(d) All of the above
5. In raster scan display, the frame buffer holds ......................
(a) Line drawing commands
(b) Scanning instructions

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(c) Image Resolution

(d) Intensity information
Notes
6. In random scan display, the frame buffer holds ......................
(a) Line drawing commands
(b) Scanning instructions
(c) Image Resolution
(d) Intensity information
7. Identify the odd one out from the following
(a) Vector display
(b) Raster scan display
(c) Calligraphic display
(d) Stroke-writing display
8. Interlaced refresh procedure is allowed in ..................
(a) LCD
(b) DVST
(c) Raster scan display
(d) Random scan display
9. Beam penetration method is usually used in ...............................
(a) LCD
(b) Raster Scan display
(c) Random scan display
(d) DVST
10. Shadow mask method is usually used in ...............................
(a) LCD
(b) Raster Scan display
(c) Random scan display
(d) DVST

1.8 Questions and Exercises

1. Differentiate between raster and random scan display.
2. Differentiate between interactive and passive computer graphics.
3. Discuss advantages of interactive computer graphics.
4. Write a short note on interactive computer graphics.
5. What are the major applications of computer graphics?
6. What do you mean by resolution, aspect ratio and pixel?
7. What is flat panel display?
8. Explain horizontal and vertical retrace?

1.9 Key Terms

z Resolution: Resolution indicates the maximum number of points that can be
displayed without overlap on the CRT. It is defined as the number of points per
centimeter that can be plotted horizontally and vertically
z Aspect Ratio: It is the ratio of vertical points to horizontal points to produce equal
length lines in both directions on the screen.

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z CAD: It is the best-known and biggest application of computer graphics.
z Light Pen: It is a pointing device.
Notes
Check Your Progress: Answers
1. (c) Aspect Ratio
2. (b) Control grid
3. (c) Control grid
4. (d) All of the above
5. (d) Intensity information
6. (a) Line drawing commands
7. (b) Raster scan display
8. (c) Raster scan display
9. (c) Random scan display
10. (b) Raster Scan display

1.10 Further Readings

z Sinha, Sinha and Udai, Computer Graphics, TMH, 2008.
z Shalini Govil-Pai, Principles of Computer Graphics, Springer Science & Business
Media, 2006.
z Pradeep K Bhatia, Computer Graphics, I. K. International Pvt Ltd, 2008.
z A.P.Godse, Computer Graphics, Technical publication, 2009.
Apurva A. Desai, Computer Graphics, PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2008.

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