ATI 2400 User Guide - Page 53

Glossary, 3D, AGP

Page 53 highlights

47 Glossary 2D Acronym for "two dimensional," a term applied to computer graphics that are "flat." Typical desktop applications such as word processors, spreadsheet programs, or other programs that manipulate print or simple graphics (such as pictures or line art) are generally considered to be operating within a 2D environment, even when they include simple three dimensional elements, such as buttons. 3D Acronym for "three dimensional," referring to computer graphics that appear to have volume and depth. Various modeling processes take the representation of a three dimensional object provided by the computer program and render it by using various lighting components, applying textures, and setting layers of transparency or opacity as required in order to produce a realistic representation of a three-dimensional object on a twodimensional display. AGP The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a slot on the computer motherboard designed specifically for 3D graphics cards. AGP runs 3D images much more smoothly and quickly than was previously possible with PCI video cards; AGP runs at several times the bus speed of PCI and employs sideband addressing, so multiple data transfers between the graphics processor and the computer can take place concurrently. AGP is currently being phased out in favour of PCI Express™ (PCIe) on PC systems. Alpha Blending Alpha blending is used in 3D graphics to create transparent or opaque effects for surfaces such as glass and water. Alpha is a transparency value, so the lower the value, the more transparent the image looks. It is also used in animations to produce such things as fading effects, where one image gradually fades into another.

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47
Glossary
2D
Acronym for “two dimensional,” a term applied to computer graphics that
are “flat.” Typical desktop applications such as word processors,
spreadsheet programs, or other programs that manipulate print or simple
graphics (such as pictures or line art) are generally considered to be
operating within a 2D environment, even when they include simple three
dimensional elements, such as buttons.
3D
Acronym for “three dimensional,” referring to computer graphics that
appear to have volume and depth. Various modeling processes take the
representation of a three dimensional object provided by the computer
program and render it by using various lighting components, applying
textures, and setting layers of transparency or opacity as required in order
to produce a realistic representation of a three-dimensional object on a two-
dimensional display.
AGP
The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a slot on the computer
motherboard designed specifically for 3D graphics cards. AGP runs 3D
images much more smoothly and quickly than was previously possible with
PCI video cards; AGP runs at several times the bus speed of PCI and
employs sideband addressing, so multiple data transfers between the
graphics processor and the computer can take place concurrently. AGP is
currently being phased out in favour of PCI Express™ (PCIe) on PC
systems.
Alpha Blending
Alpha blending is used in 3D graphics to create transparent or opaque
effects for surfaces such as glass and water. Alpha is a transparency value,
so the lower the value, the more transparent the image looks. It is also used
in animations to produce such things as fading effects, where one image
gradually fades into another.