Pixel Computer Animation Dictionary

The Computer Animation Dictionary

Dr AIvy Ray Smith Executive Vice President, Pixar The pOlyglot language of computer animation has arisen piecemeal as a collection of terms borrowed from geometry, film, video, painting, conventional animation, computer graphiCS, computer science, and publishing - in fact, from every older art or science which has anything to do with pictures and picture making. Robi Roncarelli, who has already demonstrated his foresight by formally identifying a nascent industry and addressing his Computer Animation Newsletter to it, here again makes a useful contribution to it by codifying its jargon. My pleasure in reading his dictionary comes additionally from the many historical notes sprinkled throughout and from surprise entries such as the one referring to Zimbabwe. Just as Samuel Johnson's dictionary of the English language was a major force in stabilizing the spelling of English, perhaps this one will serve a similar purpose for computer animation. Two of my pets are "color" for "colour" and "modeling" "modelling", under the rule that the shorter accepted spelling is always preferable. [Robi, are you reading this?] [Yes, AIvy!] Now I commend this book to you, whether you be a newcomer or an oldtimer.

Pixel-- Computer Animation Dictionary

The Dictionary of Computer Graphics Technology and Applications

Superblack, supercase, supercomputer, supersonic, superimpose, superquadric (including superellipsoid), superred (and the supergreen and superblue superprimaries), supersampling, supershift, superuser, Super VGA, Super VHS, and superwhite are just a few of the words that make the language of computer graphics. The Dictionary of Computer Graphics Technology and Applications guides novices and specialists alike through the maze of terminology surrounding one of the most exciting growth areas of computers. This dictionary covers the software, hardware, and applications of computer graphics. It contains hundreds of terms not found elsewhere, aiding specialists with the jargon of unfamiliar applications areas and allied technologies. Definitions are clear and concise, with special attention given to alternate spellings and meanings. Acronyms are decoded, and pronunciation of the seemingly unpronounceable is given, from NAPLPS (nap-lips) to WYSIWYG (whizzy-wig).