Assuming the reader has no prior familiarity with computer graphics, the authors present basic principles for design, use, and understanding of computer graphics systems.

The book also contains the following additional features: discussion of hardware and software components of graphics systems, as well as various applications; exploration of algorithms for creating and manipulating graphics displays, and techniques for implementing the algorithms; use of programming examples written in C to demonstrate the implementation and application of graphics algorithms; and exploration of GL, PHIGS, PHIGS+, GKS, and other graphics libraries.

In addition, this book includes an appendix containing detailed discussions on a variety of mathematical methods used in graphics algorithms such as analytic geometry, linear algebra, vector and tensor manipulations, complex numbers, and numerical analysis. The C Version of this best seller can serve as a basic or supplemental text for undergraduate and graduate level courses. It is also used widely for professional self-study geared to the specific interests of the reader.