Planar Geometric Projections

Projections I Standard projections project onto a plane

Computer Graphics and Visualization
I Projectors are lines that either
– converge at a center of projection
– are parallel
Fall 2010
I Nonplanar projections are needed for applications
such as map construction

Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

2 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Classical Projections Perspective vs Parallel

I Computer graphics treats all projections the same

and implements them with a single pipeline
I Classical viewing developed different techniques for
drawing each type of projection
I Fundamental distinction is between parallel and
perspective viewing even though mathematically
parallel viewing is the limit of perspective viewing

3 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
4 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Perspective Projection Parallel Projection

5 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
6 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
 Orthographic Projection Perspective Projection
Projectors are orthogonal to projection surface Projectors coverge at center of projection

7 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
8 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Vanishing Points One-Point Perspective

I One principal face parallel to projection plane

I Parallel lines (not parallel to the projection plan) on
the object converge at a single point in the projection I One vanishing point for cube
(the vanishing point)
I Drawing simple perspectives by hand uses these
vanishing point(s)

vanishing point

9 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
10 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

One-Point Perspective Two-Point Perspective

I On principal direction parallel to projection plane

I Two vanishing points for cube

11 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
12 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
 Two-Point Perspective Three-Point Perspective

I No principal face parallel to projection plane

I Three vanishing points for cube

13 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
14 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Three-Point Perspective Advantages and Disadvantages

I Objects further from viewer are projected smaller

than the same sized objects closer to the viewer
(diminution)
– Looks realistic
I Equal distances along a line are not projected into
equal distances (nonuniform foreshortening)
I Angles preserved only in planes parallel to the
projection plane
I More difficult to construct by hand than parallel
projections (but not more difficult by computer)

15 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
16 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Multiview Orthographic Projection Advantages and Disadvantages

I Projection plane parallel to principal face

I Usually form front, top, side views I Preserves both distances and angles
– Shapes preserved
– Can be used for measurements
• Building plans
• Manuals
In CAD and architecture, we often
I Cannot see what object really looks like because
display three multiviews plus
many surfaces hidden from view
isometric (see below)
– Often we add the isometric

17 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
18 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
 Axonometric Projections Types of Axonometric Projections
I Allow projection plane to move relative to object
I Still Orthographic!

Classify by how many angles of a

corner of a projected cube are the
same
none: trimetric
two: dimetric
three: isometric

19 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
20 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Advantages and Disadvantages Oblique Projection

I Lines are scaled (foreshortened) but can find scaling Arbitrary relationship between projectors and
factors projection plane
I Lines preserved but angles are not
– Projection of a circle in a plane not parallel to the
projection plane is an ellipse
I Can see three principal faces of a box-like object
I Some optical illusions possible
– Parallel lines appear to diverge
I Does not look real because far objects are scaled
the same as near objects
I Used in CAD applications

21 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
22 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Taxonomy of Planar Geometric Projec-

Advantages and Disadvantages tions

Parallel Projection
I Can pick the angles to emphasize a particular face I Orthographic
Perspective Projections – Top
I Architecture: plan oblique, elevation oblique
I One point – Front
I Angles in faces parallel to projection plane are – Side
preserved while we can still see ”around” a side I Two point – Axonometric
I In physical world, cannot create with simple camera; I Three point • Isometric
possible with special lens I Camera model I Oblique
– Cabinet
– Cavalier

23 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
24 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
 Homogeneous
Coordinate Representation Simple Perspective
I Center of projection at the origin
I Projection plane z = d, d < 0
I Orthographic projection

pp = Mp
xp = x  
yp = y 1 0 0 0
zp = 0  0 1 0 0 

M= 
wp = 1 0 0 0 0 
0 0 0 1

25 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
26 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Perspective Equations Homogeneous Coordinate Form

Consider top and side views
 
1 0 0 0
 0 1 0 0 

consider q = Mp where M =  
0 0 1 0 
0 0 1/d 0
   
x x
 y   y 
q= 
 z  ⇒p=
 z 


1 z /d
x y
xp = yp = zp = d
z /d z /d

27 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science
28 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science

Perspective Division

I However w 6= 1, so we must divide by w to return

from homogeneous coordinates
I This perspective division yields
x y
xp = yp = zp = d
z /d z /d

the desired perspective equations

29 Projections
Computer Graphics and Visualization
Pedher Johansson
Department of Computer Science