portelli wrote in message <371640A2.6D033785@pilot.msu.edu>...
>>
>> 1)
>> What are the current "cutting edge" techniques too create 3D images?
>> I know of raytracing and scanline rendering. What other techniques exist?
>Realtime rendering, like OpenGl and DirectX.  "Cutting Edge"
>techniques?  I think the biggest fad is NURBS.  Most high end modelers
>have them or a form of them.


NURBS is a modelling technique, not rendering.
But besides raytracing and scanline, the third wide-spread system is
radiosity rendering, mainly used in architectural lighting studies. OpenGL
and Direct3D rendering are, AFAIK, just specialized versions of scanline
(Z-buffer) rendering. Pixar's Rendeman uses their propietary REYES renderer;
I think this is related to scanline, but don't quote me on this.
More than one of the several methods are generally used in (non-realtime)
rendering engines, most common combinations are raytracing+radiosity and
raytracing+scanline.

Margus

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