Computer graphics is a process of transforming raw image data into a finished form. These techniques are similar to those used in film and animation. In computer animation, an image is replaced by a new one that is similar to the old one, but is slightly shifted to create the appearance of movement. This technique is similar to the way that motion pictures make the viewer think that the object is moving. Typically, images are created with a camera or a lens, but computer animations can mimic this effect. Both raster and vector images are used in computer graphics. Usually, a raster image is used because it contains individual pixels that can be viewed easily as squares.

In the 1970s, computer animation began to gain popularity. The first major film was Toy Story, which became a commercial and critical hit. This was the first real computer animation. It was also one of the first films created using CGI. The first CGI computer animation was created by computer animator Edwin Catmull. He was studying physics at the time, and his passion for animation inspired him to use computers. Despite his lack of artistic talent, he saw computer animation as an inevitable evolution of animation. In his computer animation, he also pioneered the use of texture mapping on 3D models. Texture mapping is now one of the most important techniques used in 3D modeling.

The 1980s saw a broader scope for computer graphics. With the advent of home computers, computer graphics became a more common subject, and the number of computer graphics developers increased significantly. As a result, computer graphics became an integral part of many fields of study, including art and entertainment. The field is still growing today, with more people discovering its importance in every aspect of our life.

As 3D modeling became mainstream, the quality of CGI increased dramatically. This enabled home computers to render tasks that had previously been limited to expensive workstations. The popularity of Silicon Graphics workstations declined, while Apple Macintosh machines and powerful Microsoft Windows systems started to dominate the market. GPUs began to emerge as an essential component of computer graphics. The advent of high-performance graphics equipment has paved the way for more sophisticated applications and more creative environments.

To create realistic images of objects, computer graphics developers must accurately model their materials. In addition to their visual appearance, computer graphics models must also include the process that causes the objects to change over time. Often, computer graphics models assume that objects are immutable and pristine, which is not the case. To solve this problem, researchers are developing new material representations and new ways to edit the representations.

Today, computer graphics can be seen in virtually every illustration created. Photographers use them to enhance the quality of their photos, and there are many other uses for computer graphics. In the future, computer graphics may even replace the need for traditional drawing in illustrations. However, for now, these tools are just enhancements for different illustrations.