Quaternions for Computer Graphics

by John Vince

Overview

Sir William Rowan Hamilton was a genius, and will be remembered for his significant contributions to physics and mathematics. The Hamiltonian, which is used in quantum physics to describe the total energy of a system, would have been a major achievement for anyone, but Hamilton also invented quaternions, which paved the way for modern vector analysis.

Quaternions are one of the most documented inventions in the history of mathematics, and this book is about their invention, and how they are used to rotate vectors about an arbitrary axis. Apart from introducing the reader to the features of quaternions and their associated algebra, the book provides valuable historical facts that bring the subject alive.

Quaternions for Computer Graphics introduces the reader to quaternion algebra by describing concepts of sets, groups, fields and rings. It also includes chapters on imaginary quantities, complex numbers and the complex plane, which are essential to understanding quaternions. The book contains many illustrations and worked examples, which make it essential reading for students, academics, researchers and professional practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857297600
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	06/11/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Professor John Vince began working in computer graphics at Middlesex Polytechnic in 1968. His research activities centered on computer animation software and resulted in the PICASO and PRISM animation systems. Whilst at Middlesex, he designed the UK’s first MSc course in Computer Graphics and developed a popular program of short courses in computer animation for television designers. In 1986 he joined Rediffusion Simulation as a Research Consultant and worked on the development of real-time computer systems for commercial flight simulators. In 1992 he was appointed Chief Scientist of Thomson Training Simulation Ltd. In 1995 he was appointed Professor of Digital Media at the National Centre for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University and in 1999 he was made Head of Academic Group for Computer Animation. He was awarded a DSc by Brunel University in recognition of his work in computer graphics. He has written and edited over 45 books on computer graphics, computer animation, computerscience and virtual reality, including the following Springer titles:

• Mathematics for Computer Graphics, 5^th edition (2017)

• Calculus for Computer Graphics, 2^nd edition (2019)

• Imaginary Mathematics for Computer Science, (2018)

• Foundation Mathematics for Computer Science, 2^nd edition (2015)

• Matrix Transforms for Computer Games and Animation (2012)

• Expanding the Frontiers of Visual Analytics and Visualization (2012)

• Quaternions for Computer Graphics (2011)

• Rotation Transforms for Computer Graphics (2011)

• Geometric Algebra: An Algebraic System for Computer Animation and Games (2009)

• Geometric Algebra for Computer Graphics (2008)

Table of Contents

Introduction.-Number Sets and Algebra.-Complex Numbers.-The Complex Plane.-Quaternion Algebra.-3D Rotation Transforms.-Quaternions in Space.-Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

“The goal of this book is to demonstrate the use of quaternions for rotating objects in three-dimensional space, a frequent requirement in computer graphics. The target audience is computer graphics developers … . Brief historical notes appear throughout. … Summing Up:  … . Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.” (C. A. Gorini, Choice, Vol. 49 (8), April, 2012)

“This is a neat little book on real and complex numbers as well as quaternions. … book is devoted to the algebra of numbers and the rest covers quaternions. The section on quaternion is spiced up with their application to 3-D rotation. Pedagogically the book is well written, it is easy to follow, even a good high school student would be able to understand … . If you are a bookworm or a book collector and like mathematical plums, this is the book for you.” (Leslie P. Piegl, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1233, 2012)

From the Publisher