Outline Rendering of 3D Models
Here are some examples of Outline Rendering:
![Deer POV scene crop small](i2/pr/Deer_POV_scene_crop_small.jpg)
![dragon vert](i2/pr/dragon_vert.jpg)
![mini obj POV scene2 small](i2/pr/mini_obj_POV_scene2_small.jpg)
![pose tortoise small crop](i2/pr/pose_tortoise_small_crop.jpg)
The interesting thing about these is that they are computer rendered 3D models (in POV-Ray), not created in 2D drawing programs such as photoshop or Inkscape. Am surprised to learn, that this is not possible with POV-Ray (See: Intro to POV-Ray) Instead, you have to use a special add-on software.
The outline rendering is significant, because it has a lot applications, especially in illustration or technical drawing. The essence is that this illustration-style shows the important aspects and hides away irrelevant details, such as complex meshes in wireframe rendering or the realism detail from ray-tracing. (much like black'n'white photos make you see the composition) My need for 3D modeling is mostly illustration of geometry, so i really want to render 3D objects like this. (See: Illustrating Geometry with POV-Ray • Requirements for a Visualization System)
Here's a example of illustration of Stereographic Projection.
It is rendered in a wireframe mode. Note, a desired rendering, is to actually hide the meshes behind the sphere.
It's somewhat surprising that POV-Ray can't do it, thinking about all the trouble it went thru with ray-tracing. If you think about it, it does make sense, because the essence of illustration-style drawing is a parallel projection from the camera, but realistic 3D rendering is about tracing every light ray to render every point on the object. However, i think the 2 issues are still quite related and is not something totally separate. I think the fact POV-Ray cannot do it is just a particular historical or idiosyncratic reason. Because, for example, when rendering in POV-Ray or any 3D modeler, you have to have algorithms that hide invisible parts. (that is, you shouldn't see what's behind a box) The hiding invisible object algorithm is part of the parallel projection from the camera, same with rendering in outline mode.
![Mr monopoly](http://xahlee.org/sl/sl/i/toon/Mr_monopoly.jpg)
Note that Second Life (a virtual world 3D “game” application), is capable of outline rendering, in real time. See: Toons in Second Life.
(thanks to namejuseijin for mentioning the POV-Ray outline-rendering add-on.)
Thanks to meowcat for mentioning Penguin3D. It's a plug-in for
Rhinoceros 3D and
AutoCAD. It does outline rendering.
Penguin3D has a gallery at
http://www.penguin3d.com/ .
Here's a example:
![outline rendering of a mall](i2/pr/rock_flyby.gif)
Math and Illustrations
- Algorithmic Mathematical Art
- Art of M C Escher
- Escher Chameleon Polyhedron
- What is Technical Drawing, Descriptive Geometry, Projective Geometry, Linear Algebra
- Outline Rendering of 3D Models
- Autostereogram
- Visual Illusions
- Projective Illusion
- What Is Perspective Drawing
- Illustrating Geometry with POV-Ray