Editing Real-time computer graphics (section)

{{Short description|Sub-field of computer graphics}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2017}}
{{3D computer graphics}}
[[File:Riparian river view.jpg|thumb|[[Virtual reality]] render of a river from 2000]]
[[File:CAVE Crayoland.jpg|thumb|Virtual environment at [[University of Illinois]], 2001 |alt=]]
[[File:Visions big.jpg|thumb|[[Music visualization]]s are generated in real-time.]]
'''Real-time computer graphics''' or '''real-time rendering''' is the sub-field of [[computer graphics]] focused on producing and analyzing images in [[Real-time computing|real time]]. The term can refer to anything from rendering an application's graphical user interface ([[Graphical user interface|GUI]]) to real-time [[image analysis]], but is most often used in reference to interactive [[3D computer graphics]], typically using a [[graphics processing unit]] (GPU). One example of this concept is a [[video game]] that rapidly renders changing 3D environments to produce an illusion of motion.

Computers have been capable of generating 2D images such as simple lines, images and [[polygon]]s in real time since their invention. However, quickly rendering detailed 3D objects is a daunting task for traditional [[Von Neumann architecture]]-based systems. An early workaround to this problem was the use of [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s, [[2D computer graphics|2D images]] that could imitate 3D graphics.

Different techniques for [[rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] now exist, such as [[Real-time ray tracing|ray-tracing]] and [[Rasterisation|rasterization]]. Using these techniques and advanced hardware, computers can now render images quickly enough to create the illusion of motion while simultaneously accepting user input. This means that the user can respond to rendered images in real time, producing an interactive experience.