An Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics

Course Overview

This concise guide introduces practical and conceptual foundations of 3D computer graphics with an emphasis on shading, texture mapping, displacement, and shader programming (including RenderMan examples). It bridges geometry and appearance, showing how surface properties and light interactions produce convincing, natural-looking imagery. The presentation balances theory and hands-on workflows so learners can apply concepts directly in common rendering pipelines and shader environments.

What you will learn

Readers will gain a working understanding of how materials are modeled and controlled: the roles of ambient, diffuse, and specular components; how roughness and specular color shape highlights; and how textures and procedural noise create organic detail. The guide explains the difference between texture mapping (color and surface attributes) and displacement mapping (actual geometric perturbation), and demonstrates how parameter-space mapping and projection choices affect final results. Practical shader examples show how to combine maps and parameters to simulate wood, marble, fabric, and other natural materials.

Core topics and teaching approach

Rather than reproducing the table of contents, the overview weaves key topics into an applied narrative. The material covers foundational lighting models and how lighting setups reveal material properties, techniques for preparing and projecting 2D images onto 3D surfaces, strategies for creating displacement maps that add believable detail without excessive modeling, and an introduction to RenderMan-style shader controls. Emphasis is placed on parameter tuning, mapping control, and the iterative workflow of testing, visual comparison with references, and refinement.

Practical projects and exercises

Hands-on exercises guide learners through projects that emphasize the separation of shape and shading: keeping simple geometry while using shaders and maps to suggest complexity. Typical tasks include recreating natural surfaces on spherical forms using texture and displacement maps, experimenting with transparency and erosion effects, and exploring how lighting direction and multiple light sources change perceived materials. Step-by-step project outlines encourage methodical experimentation—collect or create reference images, build or select maps, apply shaders, render variations, and compare results to refine parameter choices.

Who this is for

The guide suits students and hobbyists new to rendering as well as intermediate artists and technical directors seeking focused shader and mapping techniques. Game artists, visual effects practitioners, product visualizers, and educators will find actionable lessons for producing realistic surface detail while managing performance and file organization. Beginners will appreciate clear explanations of core concepts; intermediate users will benefit from shader parameter insights and practical project workflows.

Practical tips for study and application

• Start with the theory sections to understand how lighting and material parameters interact, then move to the shader examples to see those interactions in practice.
• Use high-quality, lossless texture sources and maintain systematic file organization for scenes, maps, and shader files to simplify iteration and review.
• Control parameter space carefully when mapping textures onto curved surfaces to avoid distortion and seams.
• Render test variations with different light directions and intensities to learn how material parameters affect highlights and shadowing.

Why this content matters

Understanding shading, textures, and displacement is central to creating believable 3D visuals across games, film, architecture, and scientific visualization. Mastering the interaction of maps, shaders, and lighting lets you produce detailed surfaces without costly geometry, control artistic style vs. physical accuracy, and communicate material qualities clearly to viewers or stakeholders.

Quick takeaway

Focused on actionable knowledge, this guide helps you move from concept to implementation: learn which shader parameters matter, how to prepare and map images effectively, and how to structure iterative projects that produce convincing, high-quality renders.

Further study suggestions

After working through the examples, supplement your practice with renderer-specific tutorials (RenderMan, Arnold, or real-time shading languages) and image-based references to refine material authenticity. Consistent experimentation and visual comparison are the fastest routes to skillful shading and texturing.