System software works with end users, application software, and hardware to handle technical details. Application software, also known as apps, are used to accomplish tasks and can be basic applications like word processors or specialized applications used in specific fields. Computer graphics are visual representations created using computers that can be raster images made of pixels or vector images using mathematical formulas. Rendering is the process of generating images from 3D models by computer programs and is a major part of computer graphics. Artificial intelligence aims to develop computer systems that can mimic human senses and cognition through techniques like expert systems that use knowledge bases to provide assistance to users.

1. ARE 510
Dpt of Architectural Engineering
College of Environmental Design
KFUPM
D. Ouis
1st semester 2015

3. System software works with end users, application
software, and computer hardware to handle the majority of
technical details.
Application software, also known simply as apps, can be
described as end-user software and is used to accomplish a
variety of tasks.
Application software: basic applications (word processors,
spreadsheets, database management systems, and
presentation graphics).
Specialized applications: programs used in specific
disciplines and occupations.

4. • Graphics programs for creating professional-looking
published documents, for creating and editing images, and
for locating and inserting graphics.
• Audio and video software to create, edit, and play music and
videos.
• Multimedia programs to create dynamic interactive
presentations.
• Web authoring programs to create, edit, and design Web
sites.
• Artificial intelligence, including virtual reality, knowledge-
based systems, and robotics.

5. A photograph consists of 1000s of dots, or pixels to form images
often referred to as bitmap or raster images
BMP images, however, is that
when they are expanded the
image becomes pixilated,
or jagged on the edges.
Image editors, or photo editors,
are specialized graphics programs
for editing or modifying digital
photographs.
Popular image editors: Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro,
and Paint.NET.

6. History
The earliest graphics known to anthropologists studying
prehistoric periods are cave paintings and markings on stones,
bone, ivory, created during the period from 40,000 to
10,000 B.C. or earlier.
Drawing: generally involves making marks on a surface by
applying pressure from a tool, or moving a tool across a surface.
Printmaking
Woodblock printing, including images is first seen
in China after paper was invented (about A.D. 105). In the West
the main techniques have been woodcut, engraving and etching,
but there are many others.

7. History
Line art: is term sometimes used for any image that consists
of distinct straight and curved lines placed against a
background.
Illustration: a visual representation such as
a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that
stresses subject more than form. The aim of an illustration is
to elucidate or decorate a story, a poem, …
A graph or chart is a information graphic that
represents tabular, numeric data. Charts are often used to
make it easier to understand large quantities of data and the
relationships between different parts of the data.

8. Computer graphics
Computer graphics are pictures and films created
using computers.
Usually, the term refers to computer-generated image data
created with help from specialized graphical hardware
and software.
It is a vast and recent area in computer science.
The phrase was coined in 1960, by computer graphics
specialists and is often abbreviated as CG (often confused with
CGI, Computer-Generated Imagery).

9. Computer graphics
In 1950, the first computer-driven display was attached to
MIT's Whirlwind I computer to generate simple pictures.
This was followed by MIT's TX-0 and TX-2, interactive
computing which increased interest in computer graphics
during the late 1950s.
In 1962, Sketchpad was invented, an innovative program that
influenced alternative forms of interaction with computers.

10. Computer graphics
There are two types of computer graphics: raster graphics,
where each pixel is separately defined (as in a digital
photograph), and vector graphics, where mathematical
formulas are used to draw lines and shapes, which are then
interpreted at the viewer's end to produce the graphic.
Using vectors results in infinitely sharp graphics and often
smaller files, but, when complex, like vectors take time to
render and may have larger file sizes than a raster equivalent.
Rendering or image synthesis is the process of generating
an image from a 2D or 3D model (or models in what collecti-
vely could be called a scene file) by means of computer
programs.

11. Computer graphics
Rendering

12. Computer graphics
A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language
or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint,
texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of
the virtual scene.
The data contained in the scene file is then passed to a
rendering program to be processed and output to a digital
image or raster graphics image file.
The general challenges to overcome in producing a 2D image
from a 3D representation stored in a scene file are outlined as
the graphics pipeline along a rendering device, such as a GPU
(Graphic Processing Unit).
A GPU is a purpose-built device able to assist a CPU in
performing complex rendering calculations.

13. Computer graphics
Rendering is a major sub-topic of 3D computer graphics.
In the graphics pipeline, it is the last major step, giving the
final appearance to the models and animation.
Rendering has uses in architecture, video games, simulators,
movie or TV visual effects, and design visualization.

14. Computer graphics
Rendering Features
A rendered image can be understood in terms of a number of
visible features. Rendering R&D has been largely motivated
by finding ways to simulate these efficiently.
Shading – how the color and brightness of a surface varies
with lighting
Texture-mapping – a method of applying detail to surfaces
Bump-mapping – a method of simulating small-scale
bumpiness on surfaces
Fogging/participating medium – how light dims when passing
through non-clear atmosphere or air
Shadows – the effect of obstructing light
Soft shadows – varying darkness caused by partially obscured
light sources

15. Computer graphics
Rendering Features
Reflection – mirror-like or highly glossy reflection
Transparency or opacity – sharp transmission of light through
solid objects
Translucency – highly scattered transmission of light through
solid objects
Refraction – bending of light associated with transparency
Diffraction – bending, spreading, and interference of light
passing by an object or aperture that disrupts the ray
Indirect illumination – surfaces illuminated by light reflected off
other surfaces, rather than directly from a light source (also
known as global illumination)

16. Computer graphics
Rendering Features
Caustics (a form of indirect illumination) – reflection of light off
a shiny object, or focusing of light through a transparent
object, to produce bright highlights on another object
Depth of field – objects appear blurry or out of focus when too
far in front of or behind the object in focus
Motion blur – objects appear blurry due to high-speed motion,
or the motion of the camera
Non-photorealistic rendering – rendering of scenes in an
artistic style, intended to look like a painting or drawing

18. Illustration Programs
Vector is another common
type of graphic file. Vector
illustrations, use geometric
shapes or objects created by
connecting lines and curves.
As these objects can be
defined by mathematical
equations, they can be rapidly
and easily resized, colored,
textured, and manipulated.
An image is a combination
of several objects.
Illustration programs, or drawing programs, are used to
create and edit vector images (e.g. CorelDraw, Adobe Ilustrator)

19. Image Galleries
Are libraries of electronic images. These images are used for
a wide variety of applications from illustrating textbooks to
providing visual interest to presentations. There are two basic
types of electronic images in these galleries:
Stock photographs: photographs on a variety of subject
material from people to landscapes.
Clip art: graphic illustrations representing a wide range of
topics.
Most applications
provide access to a
limited selection of
free clip art.
Graphics suite: group
of separate graphics
programs.

20. Audio and Video
I n the past, professional-quality… Now, using audio and video
editing software, you can create your own compilation movies.
• Video editing software allows you to reorganize, add effects,
and more to your digital video footage. Commonly used video
editing software: Apple iMovie and Windows Movie Maker.

22. Making a DVD with ”Windows DVD maker”

23. Audio editing software: allows you to create and edit audio
clips. You can even use this software to create your own
MP3s.
Commonly used audio editing software programs: Apple
GarageBand and Sony ACID.
Multimedia is the integration of all sorts of media into one
presentation. For example, a multimedia presentation may
include video, music, voice, graphics, and text.
Effective multimedia presentations incorporate user
participation or interactivity: allows the user to choose the
information to view, to control the pace and flow of
information, and to respond to items and receive feedback.

24. Users are able to select the language to be used and decide
whether to include sound.
Links and Buttons
An interactive multimedia presen-
tation is typically organized as a
series of related pages presenting
information and providing links,
or connections, to related informa-
tion. Click on buttons on a page
to make appropriate links and
navigate through a presentation
to locate and discover information.
Multimedia Authoring Programs: are special programs
used to create multimedia presentations. They bring together
all the video, audio, graphics, and text elements into an
interactive framework. Ex: Adobe Director and Toolbook.

25. Web Authoring
here are over a billion Web sites on the Internet, and more
are being added every day.
Corporations use the Web to reach new customers and to
promote their products.
Individuals create their own personal sites, called blogs.
Creating a site is called Web authoring. It begins with site
design followed by creation of a document file that displays
the Web site’s content.
Web Site Design
A Web site is an interactive multimedia form of
communication. Designing a Web site begins with
determining the site’s overall content. The content is then
broken down into a series of related pieces of information.
The overall site design is commonly represented in a
graphical map.

26. Web Authoring Programs
Web pages are typically HTML documents. Also with WP like
MS-Word. But even better with more specialized and powerful
programs, called Web authoring programs, or Web page
editors are typically used to create sophisticated commercial
sites. Some Web authoring programs are WYSIWYG ( what
you see is what you get) editors: which means you can build a
page without interacting directly with HTML code.
WYSIWYG editors preview the page described by HTML
code. Widely used Web authoring programs include Adobe
Dreamweaver, NetObjects Fusion, and Microsoft Expression.

28. Artificial Intelligence
AI: the field of computer science that attempts to develop
computer systems that can mimic or simulate human senses,
thought processes, and actions.
These include reasoning, learning from past actions, and
using senses such as vision and touch.
AI that corresponds to human intelligence is still a long way
off.

29. Artificial Intelligence
AI: the field of computer science that attempts to develop
computer systems that can mimic or simulate human senses,
thought processes, and actions.
These include reasoning, learning from past actions, and
using senses such as vision and touch.
AI that corresponds to human intelligence is still a long way
off.

30. Virtual reality, or VR, artificial reality, or virtual
environments: an artificial, or simulated, reality
generated in 3-D by a computer.
In some cases, to navigate in
a virtual space, you use virtual
reality hardware including
headgear and gloves.
The headgear has earphones
and three-dimensional stereo-
scopic screens (one type is
called Eyephones). The gloves have sensors that
collect data about your hand movements (one type is
called DataGlove).

31. Creating virtual reality programs once required very high-end
software costing several thousands of dollars.
Recently, several lower-cost yet powerful authoring programs
have been introduced. One of the best known is Second Life
from Linden Labs, which allows users to create animated
characters to represent themselves and to develop their own
environment.
The ultimate recreational use might be something resembling
a giant virtual amusement park.
More serious applications can simulate important experiences
or training environments such as in aviation, surgical
operations, spaceship repair, or nuclear disaster cleanup.

32. Knowledge-Based (Expert) Systems
People who are expert in a particular area—certain kinds
of medicine, accounting, engineering, and so on—are
generally well paid for their specialized knowledge.
Unfortunately for their clients and customers, these experts
are expensive, not always available, and hard to replace
when they move on.
What if you were to somehow capture the knowledge of
a human expert and make it accessible to everyone through
a computer program? This is exactly what is being done
with so-called knowledge-based or expert systems.
Knowledge-based systems, or expert systems, area type
of artificial intelligence that uses a database to provide
assistance to users. These systems use a database or
knowledge base that contains specific facts, rules to relate
these facts, and user input to formulate recommendations
and decisions.

33. Many expert systems use so-called fuzzy logic, which allows
users to respond to questions in a very humanlike way.
Lately, expert systems have been developed in areas such as
medicine, geology, architecture, and nature. There are expert
systems with such names as Oil Spill Advisor, Bird Species
Identification, and even Midwives Assistant. A system called
Grain Marketing Advisor helps farmers select the best way to
market their grain.