Guide to Graphics Software Tools

Today, graphics software tools open up new areas and form into different combinations of multiple functions. Learning graphics programming is time consuming, and the many new graphics tools might seem overwhelming. If we know how graphics work and what basic functions the graphics tools provide, we can understand and employ some of the tools without spending much precious time to learn all the details that may not be applicable. There are many books on graphics principles and practice already. However, there is no book available as a helpful entry point on widely used graphics software tools for specialists and nonspecialists alike. Today, many scientists in different disciplines realize the power of graphics, but are also bewildered by the numerous graphics tools. More often than not, they choose the improper software tools and end up with unsatisfactory results. This book introduces and categorizes the most commonly used graphics tools and their applications. The purpose is not to provide an exhausting list of tools and their explicit functions, but instead to provide scientific researchers different means and application areas in computer graphics, and help to efficiently use visualization, modeling, simulation, and virtual reality to complement their research needs. The guide will include coverage of the most widely used commercial software, freeware and open-source software. Aproposal attachedU