Three Dimensional Computer Graphics:
Time Efficient Display of Surfaces of Revolution

Abstract:

An algorithm for efficient shading of surfaces of revolution is developed. The surfaces can either be smoothly approximated by polygons, or they can be approximated by a number of cylinders. The algorithm is designed for computer systems which allow the direct access of pixels. All the stages in the displaying process have been optimized for speed.

An implementation of the algoritm is presented. It is written in the C programming language, and it is designed for Microsoft Windows computers. The core parts of the program are portable to other operating systems. In order to examine the efficiency of the new algorithm, programs for OpenGL and SPHIGS have been developed.

Download:

• Thesis document: as PDF (504 KB), or as zipped postscript (824 KB)
• Fast-SOR: fast-sor.zip (MS Windows only, 70 KB)
• OpenGL-SOR: opengl-sor.zip (OpenGL version, 67 KB)
• IRIX-SOR: irix-sor.gz (OpenGL version, compiled for IRIX 6.2, 60 KB)
• SPHIGS-SOR: sphigs-sor.zip (SPHIGS version, 14 KB, requires SRGP (361 KB))

View screenshot of OpenGL version
View screenshot of SPHIGS version