Glossary

 

 

A

accuracy A parameter enabling to define the degree of precision of the rendering quality
ambient lighting The intensity of light emitted by any light source
animation A rendering of successive positions of a product recorded in a simulation
anti-aliasing A graphic design technique that involves adding colored pixels to smooth the jagged edges of a graphic
area light source A source of light similar to ordinary light sources and designed to create a soft, and thus more realistic, lighting. Compare light source
attenuation The action of lessening illumination
   

C

camera A rectangular-shaped element with a lens used to specify the chosen viewpoint to take the image
cylinder area light An area light source with a cylinder shape used to simulate neons, for instance
   

D

diffuse lighting The intensity of light diffused by the object when lit by light sources
directional light A light coming from a given direction (like the sun, for instance) generating constant intensity parallel lighting
disk area light An area light source with a disk shape used to simulate spot lights
   

E

environment A geometrical element, either rectangular, cylindrical or spherical, used to simulate interior as well as exterior scenes
   

F

Final Gathering A method used to compute light energy on any surfaces surrounding an object in the scene. Synonym: "indirect illumination"
   

L

light source A source of light illuminating the object to be rendered
   

M

mapping A method used to apply an image onto an object in order this object acquires a surface texture
material An object that can be mapped onto a geometry to simulate visually and physically the components an object is made of (e.g. wood, stone, etc.)
   

P

part A 3D entity obtained by combining different features
photo-realistic An image with a quality quite similar to a real image or a picture
point light A punctual illumination (like a bulb, for instance) emitting light isotropically, i.e. in all directions
product   A 3D entity containing several components
property The attribute or characteristic of an object that defines its state, appearance or value
   

R

raytracing A photo-realistic image resulting from the calculation of the path of light reaching the product from various angles. Each pixel is created by calculating the behavior of a number of rays from these different points over the area covered by that pixel
rectangle area light An area light source with a rectangular shape used to simulate a rectangular spot light
reflection A light wave returned from a surface
reflectivity The ability to reflect light
refraction The degree of light passing obliquely through an object
rendering A photo-realistic drawing of three-dimensional objects
roughness The dullness of an object (it represents the size of the reflecting zone)
   

S

scene A reusable configuration enabling to put models on stage using cameras, light sources, environments, turntables
shooting A set of parameters used to define a rendering
specification tree An area of the document window reserved for viewing the design specifcations of a part, presented in the form of a tree structure
specular lighting The dullness of an object
sphere area light An area light source with a sphere shape used to simulate a light bulb, but in a softer and more realistic way than the point light does
spot light A light source emitting the light isotropically inside a cone of influence determined by the privileged direction of illumination (forming the axis of revolution) and the angle that the edge of the cone forms with this axis.
sticker An image that can be mapped onto a face of a product
   

T

texture An image that can be mapped onto a geometry
transparency The degree of transparency of an object. The object transparency defines its property of transmitting light so that elements lying beyond are seen
turntable A revolvable platform enabling to generate a sequence of images representing the model rotation around a user-defined axis