Reading Reaction No. Tres

The three readings provide insightful information about the history of rendering as well as what computations go into creating renderings and the innovations taking place currently to further our knowledge and abilities to create realistic virtual spaces. Rendering 3D Worlds-3D Geometric Graphics II gives us a breakdown of the different aspects involved in rendering 3D objects. This article discusses the basics such as reflections, lighting, texture mapping, and 3D painting. It goes further to discuss different types of reflections, whether it is diffused or specular, as well as the different types of lighting, be it transmitted, absorbed, or refracted. This article not only give us a breakdown of the different aspects involved in rendering but it gives us real world examples of how these different aspects are applied.

This particular article is an important resource for those who are interested in improving their ability to create photo-realistic renderings. Understanding how these different techniques work enables the user to better manipulate and control the final output. As this article illustrates, the rendering process is complex. When rendering, one must consider the texture being used and decide how they should manipulate the lighting to create something that imitates the physical object. As discussed, many of the 3D rendering programs can do a certain amount of this work for us, but we must still make decisions based on how reflective the materials should be. The article goes further to illustrate that texture mapping, despite its' ability to create the illusion of a realistic texture, is only skin deep. 3D mapping can provide a more thorough representation of an object, one that you can carve into and still have a realistic texture.

This article also discusses two topics that we came across in prior readings. Both Phong and Gourard shading were important stepping stones in the evolution of 3D Rendering. Both have strong points and are applicable to different aspects of rendering, but they also are limited by the techniques they employ to create a rendered image.

The two articles, Once and Future Graphics Pioneer I and II discuss the current innovations taking place in the evolution of 3D Rendering. Focusing on Cornell University, and a developer by the name of Greenberg. The research that takes place here is based on improving the user interfaces for architectural programs and "developing methods for improving image capture and the quality of image-based rendering." (Novitski 2000) Greenberg has even developed a new tool for digital drafting and drawing. He felt that the mouse and keyboard were not suitable for the use of designers and did not correlate with the design process, so he is in the process of creating, along with Moreno Piccolotto, a drawing board sized device that functions as a sketch pad and display device. This tool enables designers not only to draft and draw as they would on a traditional drawing board, but they are also able to manipulate the z axis which allows them to draw in 3D; not to mention the ability to collaborate . This tool is not currently available for commercial use, but they are in the process of developing a more accessible version.

The opportunities provided by these developing technologies enables students to gain more feedback and learn more from the design process, as well as for us as designers to represent more on a universal scale than we ever could before. Seen on the second page of Once and Future Graphics Pioneer II, students are given a new medium in which to explore a different culture and how that can be communicated through digital technologies. This new ability opens the possibilities to designers to capture visually things, ideas, and concepts what we could only imagine before. When this particular article discusses the project created by students for an Indian Culture Museum in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, it illustrates just how powerful and important this tool is in relation to a more universal community. Operating under this concept, individuals can learn about cultures from around the world and experience them on a more personal level. Based on these two articles, Cornell University seems to be a major influence on the development of 3D Rendering and seems to always be on the forefront of its' innovation.

3D Rendering will always be a valuable tool for designers, and the more accessible it becomes, the more we will be connected to the global community.