Types of Computer Graphics
Computer
graphics has been classified into two categories according to the application
domain and requirements. They are:
Types
of Computer Graphics
1. Non-Interactive or Passive or Offline Graphics
2. Interactive or Online Graphics
1) Non-Interactive or Passive or Offline Graphics: This is a type of Graphics in which the images on the screen are created with the help of software programs and data structures. In this type of Graphics, the user have very small control over the image once the image is created. To change any image the user has to modify the program. This is also called offline graphics. Once the graphics program is developed, the user has no control over the display even if he/she wishes to change the display. Development takes place independently in offline mode.
An example of passive graphics can be compared to a static web page (using HTML) where the user has no control over the contents on the monitor. The screen will be static with no marquees flying on the screen or no advertisements changing or no color change on mouse movements, etc. The displays are generally calligraphic in nature and are printed by line printers, plotters, etc. Screen Saver is an example of offline graphics.
2) Interactive or Online Computer Graphics: It involves the two-way communication between computer and user. This is a type of Graphics in which the images on the screen are created with the help of direct interactive devices like a mouse, Joystick, etc. In this the user hence direct control over its image. This is also called online graphics. Users can dynamically control the display on the monitor. Displays are controlled by a mouse, trackball, joystick, etc.
This is termed Interactive Computer Graphics (ICG) because the user can interact with the machine as per his requirements. ICG is the case in which users can dynamically control the picture contents, formats, sizes, or the color on the display surface by means of interaction devices such as keyboards, light pen, mouse, etc.
Cartoons, special effects in movies (remember Dinosaurs of
Jurassic Park), video games, and dynamic websites (using dynamic HTML) are all
making use of ICG. ICG affects our lives in a number of indirect ways.
