About 3D Imaging Software
3D computer imaging is commonly called CGI (computer generated imaging), and it has many forms and functions in almost every industry. From medical research to engineering to movies and entertainment, there are several types of 3D imaging software. Each one is tailored to do something different, depending on what the image is being generated for. For research, there is software that will analyze parts of an object; for entertainment, software will add effects such as backgrounds and mouth movements.
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Function
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All 3D imaging software is designed to create a three-dimensional rendering of an object on a two-dimensional computer screen. It does this by storing physical data and measurements of the object's three-dimensional characteristics. A computer software engine then translates these measurements into the 3D form you see on the screen.
Significance
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For many businesses and industries, the significance of a three-dimensional imaging program is immense. For designers, these programs allow them to see exactly how their final design will look in "real life" without spending the resources on fabricating a model. They can make changes to the object as needed if it is too large or another problem is seen. For drafters and engineers, 3D imaging saves money and time because a computer model will show exactly which parts fit where.
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History
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3D imaging has come a long way since the 1990s, when it first started to become feasible for companies to use. The programs require a lot of processing power. Now that desktops and even laptops can produce enough power to run the programs, they are used in most labs, engineering businesses and movie studios. AutoCAD, which started out as a two-dimensional program for drafters, has evolved into a three-dimensional form and can be run on a desktop, for instance.
Types
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Common types of 3D imaging software include AutoCAD 3D for engineers and drafters, medical 3D imaging that is used as both a diagnostic tool in 3D sonography or ultrasound, and research in 3D imaging software. Other types of 3D imaging are used by designers to create wire frames of objects they want to produce, such as tea pots and car bodies.
Modeling and Rendering
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Another important part of 3D imaging is the difference between modeling and rendering. Because computer programs make a 3D model into a two-dimensional printout with three-dimensional effects, the difference is important to understand. A 3D image is first modeled by building a wire frame, or outline, of the dimensions, using the computer software. This outline is constructed much like a fiberglass form could be built in real life from chicken wire or a similar material. The information from this wire frame outline is then "rendered" into a two-dimensional image before it can be printed out and viewed.
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