Matrix Transforms for Computer Games and Animation

by John Vince

Overview

Matrix transforms are ubiquitous within the world of computer graphics, where they have become an invaluable tool in a programmer’s toolkit for solving everything from 2D image scaling to 3D rotation about an arbitrary axis. Virtually every software system and hardware graphics processor uses matrices to undertake operations such as scaling, translation, reflection and rotation. Nevertheless, for some newcomers to the world of computer games and animation, matrix notation can appear obscure and challenging.

Matrices and determinants were originally used to solve groups of simultaneous linear equations, and were subsequently embraced by the computer graphics community to describe the geometric operations for manipulating two- and three-dimensional structures. Consequently, to place matrix notation within an historical context, the author provides readers with some useful background to their development, alongside determinants.

Although it is assumed that the reader is familiar with everyday algebra and the solution of simultaneous linear equations, Matrix Transforms for Computer Games and Animation does not expect any prior knowledge of matrix notation. It includes chapters on matrix notation, determinants, matrices, 2D transforms, 3D transforms and quaternions, and includes many worked examples to illustrate their practical use.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781447143208
Publisher:	Springer London
Publication date:	06/26/2012
Edition description:	2012
Pages:	166
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

Table of Contents

Preface.- Introduction.- Introduction to Matrix Notation.- Determinants.- Matrices.- Matrix Transforms.- Transforms.- Quaternions.- Conclusion.- Composite Point Rotation Sequences.- Index.