Three-dimensional representations for computer graphics and computer vision

Representing complex three-dimensional objects in a computer involves more than just evaluating its display capabilities. Other factors are the uses and costs of the representation, what operations can be performed on it and, ultimately, how useful it is for computer recognition or description or three-dimensional objects. Many of the questions which are posed arise from the joint consideration of computer graphics and computer vision, and a specific representation hierarchy is proposed for complex objects which makes them amenable to display, manipulation, measurement, and analysis.