Editing 3D projection (section)

==Overview==
[[File:Graphical projection comparison.png|thumb|right|Several types of graphical projection compared]]
[[File:Various projections of cube above plane.svg|thumb|Various projections and how they are produced]]
In order to display a three-dimensional (3D) object on a two-dimensional (2D) surface, a projection transformation is applied to the 3D object using a [[projection matrix]]. This transformation removes information in the third dimension while preserving it in the first two. See ''[[Projective geometry|Projective Geometry]]'' for more details.

If the size and shape of the 3D object should not be distorted by its relative position to the 2D surface, a [[parallel projection]] may be used.

Examples of parallel projections:<gallery widths="100" heights="100" align="center" style="padding:0px;" class="skin-invert-image">
File:Orthographic perspective arch.svg|[[Multiview projection]] (elevation)
File:Isometrie.png|[[Isometric projection]]
File:Militärperspektive.PNG|[[Military projection]]
File:Cabinet perspective 45.svg|[[Oblique projection|Cabinet projection]] 
</gallery>If the 3D perspective of an object should be preserved on a 2D surface, the transformation must include scaling and translation based on the object's relative position to the 2D surface. This process is called perspective projection.

Examples of perspective projections:<gallery widths="100" heights="100" align="center" style="padding:0px;" class="skin-invert-image">
File:1ptPerspective.svg|[[One-point perspective]]
File:2-punktperspektive.svg|[[Two-point perspective]]
File:3-punktperspektive 1.svg|[[Three-point perspective]]
</gallery>