Overview of Computer Graphics

Today there are very few aspects of our lives not affected by computers. Practically every cash or monetary transaction that takes place daily involves a computer. In many cases, the same is true of computer graphics. Whether you see them on television, in newspapers, in weather reports or while at the doctor's surgery, computer images are all around you.

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is a well-known saying, and highlights the advantages and benefits of the visual presentation of our data. We are able to obtain a comprehensive overall view of our data and also study features and areas of particular interest.

A well-chosen graph is able to transform a complex table of numbers into meaningful results. Such graphs are used to illustrate papers, reports, and theses, as well as providing the basis for presentation material in the form of slides and overhead transparencies.

A range of tools and facilities are available to enable users to visualise their data, and this document provides a brief summary and overview.

Computer graphics are used in many disciplines and subjects but for the purpose of this document, we will split the topic of computer graphics into the following fields:

• Charting

• Presentations

• Drawing, Painting and Design

• Image Processing

• Scientific Visualisation

• Desktop Mapping and GIS

• Subroutine Libraries for Graphics