In this article we present Zahir, a framework for experimentation in Computer Graphics that provides a group of object-oriented base components that take care of common tasks in rendering techniques and algorithms, specially those of Non Photo-realistic Rendering (NPR). These components allow developers to implement rendering techniques and algorithms over static and animated meshes. Currently, Zahir is being used in a Master's Thesis and as support material in the undergraduate Computer Graphics course in University of Chile.
@cite_2: Line drawings can convey shape using remarkably minimal visual content. Suggestive contours, which are lines drawn at certain types of view-dependent surface inflections, were proposed recently as a way of improving the effectiveness of computer-generated line drawings. This paper extends previous work on static suggestive contours to dynamic and real-time settings. We analyze movement of suggestive contours with respect to changes in viewpoint, and offer techniques for improving the quality of strokes rendered for a moving camera. We describe practical algorithms for rendering drawings with contours and suggestive contours at interactive rates. Finally, we discuss techniques for improving the visual appearance of suggestive contours, in both the static and dynamic cases.
* Non Photo-realistic Rendering Applications. The inspiration for the initial version of Zahir was the software @cite_2 (RTSC). RTSC renders line drawings from 3D surfaces in a beautiful and optimal way. However, because it's a demonstration program, it's limited to static white objects (the models don't load any material or texture information). Those limitations inspired us to start working on a more flexible framework.