ATI RADEONX1900 User Guide - Page 23

19 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. 3Dc™ An ATI hardware-based compression technology that reduces the size of 3D texture data, rendering more finely-grained texture surfaces with greater efficiency. It significantly minimizes the memory footprint of normal maps containing information on how light reflects off textured surfaces, allowing game programmers to include more texture and lighting details without affecting performance. ADC Short for "Apple® Display Connector," a type of video connection found only with certain Apple displays. In addition to carrying the video signal to the monitor, it also carries power, so users can start their whole computer using the power button on the monitor. This type of connector is being phased out in favor of DVI connectors.