Book,
Wavelets for Computer Graphics
Morgan Kaufmann, (Jan 15, 1996)
Abstract
The term <i>wavelet</i> was coined in 1940 by a scientist observing the disturbances emanating from seismic events and explosive charges. Today, the term denotes the actual mathematical function that was originally used to model these disturbances, and many scientists working in signal processing, physics, and other areas use wavelets to represent and analyze large amounts of data. <b>Wavelets for Computer Graphics: Theory and Applications</b> is a well-written, thoroughly researched book that provides a solid introduction to wavelet theory and the burgeoning field of its applications in computer graphics. The authors target computer-graphics professionals and researchers, particularly those who know the rudiments of linear algebra and are relatively new to wavelet theory. The authors explain the algebraic formulae for, and methodology behind, using wavelets to enhance and edit images. They discuss different types of wavelets-- such as Haar wavelets and biorthogonal wavelets for surfaces--and explain how to apply wavelets to image compression, editing, and querying; curves and tiling; surface-area editing and compression; and the physical simulation methods of variational modeling and global illumination. Each section of the book combines theory, mathematics, and real-world examples showing how to apply wavelets to specific graphics. Appendices review the basics of linear algebra and B-spline wavelet matrices. <p>This distinctly accessible introduction to wavelets provides computer graphics professionals and researchers with the mathematical foundations for understanding and applying this powerful tool.</p><br><p>Wavelets are rapidly becoming a core technique in computer graphics, with applications for</p><br>* Image editing and compression<br>* Automatic level-of-detail control for editing and rendering curves and surfaces<br>* Surface reconstruction from contours<br>* Physical simulation for global illumination and animation<br><p>Stressing intuition and clarity, this book offers a solid understanding of the theory of wavelets and their proven applications in computer graphics.</p><br><p>Although previous introductions to wavelets have presented an elegant mathematical framework, that framework is too restrictive to apply to many problems in graphics. In contrast, this book focuses on a generalized theory that naturally accommodates the kinds of objects that commonly arise in computer graphics, including images, open curves, and surfaces of arbitrary topology.</p><br><p>This book also contains a foreword by Ingrid Daubechies and an appendix covering the necessary background material in linear algebra.</p>
