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Components of computer graphics

Short answer

A graphics system comprises input devices (mouse, tablet), processor/GPU, frame buffer, display controller, and output displays. Software includes graphics libraries and applications that use algorithms (scan conversion, rendering) to convert models into pixel images.

Illustrate the components of computer graphics.

A computer graphics system has hardware and software components that work together to create and show pictures.

 Input devices --> Application program --> Graphics package
 (mouse, tablet,       (model, data)        (algorithms, API)
  light pen)                                      |
                                                  v
 Output devices <-- Display controller <-- Frame buffer
 (monitor, printer)
  1. Input devices: keyboard, mouse, joystick, light pen, digitizer/tablet, scanner, touch screen; used to supply data and interact.
  2. Processor (CPU) and GPU: execute the graphics algorithms (scan conversion, transformation, clipping, rendering).
  3. Memory and frame buffer: hold the model data and the intensity (colour) of each pixel to be displayed.
  4. Display controller (video controller): reads the frame buffer repeatedly and sends pixel values to the monitor to refresh the screen.
  5. Output devices: monitors (CRT, LCD, LED), printers, plotters.
  6. Software: graphics packages and APIs (OpenGL, DirectX), application programs and the operating system's drivers that convert the user's model into pictures.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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