FINAL EXTRA CREDIT: MESHES

A polygonal mesh is a group of geometric component that when placed together make up a shape of an object. Each mesh is made up of vertices, edges and faces. The shape changes as editing is done to the components. Meshes vary in size. The shape of the object varies from the exact positioning of the vertices, edges and faces. The faces are in the shape of triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons. Computer graphics and animation use mesh based graphics.

Polygonal mesh graphics are used to visualize data in many of the sciences. The high quality of lighting and shading of 3D mesh graphics meet scientists’ need to show scientific visualization of their experiments. One area that makes use of mesh-based graphics is astronomy. The astronomical data is visualized by mesh based-graphics for research and education. Mesh graphics also help with outreach programs to help educate the lay public about astronomical advances and findings.

Mesh-based graphics is also used in medical science. It is used in the modeling of body muscles and tissues including the brain and the knee. It helps doctors see these body parts more defined structurally as they prepare for surgery and during the virtual surgery itself. Another area of use is haptics. Haptics technology (using input/ output device like a joy stick) and mesh-based visual displays work together to train people in hand-eye coordination. Space ship maneuvers and surgery are two important uses for this training.

Developing software programs for these meshes is in high demand.  Software programs, like Blender, are chosen for their versatility and flexibility in handling different types of visualization ideas and concepts. The industry is flourishing with the movie, television and virtual reality gaming industry’s extensive use of these 3D meshes. Animation which is widespread use in these industries uses mesh graphics in its development of complex structures used in shows and games. Mesh based graphics is also used in the animation of maps for geographic information systems. Topographic maps show the shape of land surfaces by using mesh based graphics.