Wireframe Render of Digital Clothing Bathingrobe 3D Model

A wire-frame model, also wireframe model, is a visual representation of a three-dimensional (3D) physical object used in

3D computer graphics 3D computer graphics, or “3D graphics,” sometimes called CGI, 3D-CGI or three-dimensional computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) that is stored in the computer for th ...

. It is created by specifying each edge of the physical object where two mathematically continuous smooth surfaces meet, or by connecting an object's constituent vertices using (straight)

line Line most often refers to: * Line (geometry), object with zero thickness and curvature that stretches to infinity * Telephone line, a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system Line, lines, The Line, or LINE may also refer to: Arts ...

s or

curves A curve is a geometrical object in mathematics. Curve(s) may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Curve (band), an English alternative rock music group * ''Curve'' (album), a 2012 album by Our Lady Peace * "Curve" (song), a 20 ...

. The object is projected into screen space and rendered by drawing lines at the location of each edge. The term "wire frame" comes from designers using

metal wire Overhead power cabling. The conductor consists of seven strands of steel (centre, high tensile strength), surrounded by four outer layers of aluminium (high conductivity). Sample diameter 40 mm A wire is a flexible strand of metal. Wire is co ...

to represent the three-dimensional shape of solid objects. 3D wire frame computer models allow for the construction and manipulation of solids and solid surfaces. 3D solid modeling efficiently draws higher quality representations of solids than conventional line drawing. Using a wire-frame model allows for the visualization of the underlying design structure of a 3D model. Traditional two-dimensional views and drawings/renderings can be created by the appropriate rotation of the object, and the selection of

hidden line removal In 3D computer graphics, solid objects are usually modeled by polyhedra. A face of a polyhedron is a planar polygon bounded by straight line segments, called edges. Curved surfaces are usually approximated by a polygon mesh. Computer programs ...

via cutting planes. Since wire-frame renderings are relatively simple and fast to calculate, they are often used in cases where a relatively high screen

frame rate Frame rate (expressed in or FPS) is the frequency (rate) at which consecutive images (frames) are captured or displayed. The term applies equally to film and video cameras, computer graphics, and motion capture systems. Frame rate may also be ca ...

is needed (for instance, when working with a particularly complex

3D model In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical coordinate-based representation of any surface of an object (inanimate or living) in three dimensions via specialized software by manipulating edges, vertices, an ...

, or in real-time systems that model exterior phenomena). When greater graphical detail is desired, surface textures can be added automatically after the completion of the initial rendering of the wire frame. This allows a designer to quickly review solids, or rotate objects to different views without the long delays associated with more realistic rendering, or even the processing of faces and simple flat shading. The wire frame format is also well-suited and widely used in programming

tool paths A tool is an object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many animals use Tool use by animals, simple tools, only Human, human beings, whose u ...

for direct numerical control (DNC)

machine tools A machine tool is a machine for handling or machining metal or other rigid materials, usually by cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, or other forms of deformations. Machine tools employ some sort of tool that does the cutting or shaping. All m ...

. Hand-drawn wire-frame-like illustrations date back as far as the Italian Renaissance. Wire-frame models were also used extensively in video games to represent 3D objects during the 1980s and early 1990s, when "properly" filled 3D objects would have been too complex to calculate and draw with the computers of the time. Wire-frame models are also used as the input for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). There are three main types of 3D

computer-aided design Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers (or ) to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve c ...

(CAD) models; ''wire frame'' is the most abstract and least realistic. The other types are '' surface'' and ''solid''. The wire-frame method of modelling consists of only lines and curves that connect the points or vertices and thereby define the edges of an object.

Simple example of wireframe model

An object is specified by two tables: (1) Vertex Table, and, (2) Edge Table. The vertex table consists of three-dimensional coordinate values for each vertex with reference to the origin. Edge table specifies the start and end vertices for each edge. A naive interpretation could create a wire-frame representation by simply drawing straight lines between the screen coordinates of the appropriate vertices using the edge list. Unlike representations designed for more detailed rendering, face information is not specified (it must be calculated if required for solid rendering). Appropriate calculations have to be performed to transform the 3D coordinates of the vertices into 2D screen coordinates.

References

# ''Principles of Engineering Graphics'' by Maxwell Macmillan International Editions # ''ASME Engineer's Data Book'' by Clifford Matthews # ''Engineering Drawing'' by N.D. Bhatt # ''Texturing and Modeling'' by Davis S. Ebert # ''3D Computer Graphics'' by Alan Watt {{DEFAULTSORT:Wire-Frame Model Computer graphics data structures 3D imaging Virtual reality

Simple example of wireframe model

See also

References