MCT Lexicon Multimedia & Creative Technology
Menu

3D

54 terms

Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 3D modeling and immersive experiences.

A

AI agent

An AI agent is an autonomous software or system component that perceives its environment, makes decisions, and takes actions to achieve goals. An agent typically combines a model or learning mechanism with sensors (inputs/observations) and actuators (output/actions) — the underlying AI model(s) are only one part of the whole. AI agents can be reactive, deliberative, learning-based, or part of multi-agent systems, and appear as chatbots, virtual assistants, game NPCs, or autonomous robots/drones.

AR (Augmented Reality)

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information—such as images, text, or 3D models—on the real world. Unlike VR, AR does not replace reality; it enhances it. AR is often experienced via smartphones, tablets, or dedicated AR glasses.

design hardware software

ARPANET

ARPANET was the early experimental packet-switched computer network created by DARPA in the late 1960s and is considered the predecessor of the Internet. It introduced ideas such as packet switching, network protocols, and shared resource access that later evolved into TCP/IP and modern network services. For students in 3D, Audio/Video, Maker and Web fields, ARPANET is relevant because it laid the groundwork for reliable digital asset transfer, remote collaboration, distributed compute (e.g., render farms), and the protocols underpinning streaming, firmware updates and web communication.

Agentic coding

Agentic coding is an approach in which software components are designed as autonomous agents that perceive their environment, pursue goals, and interact with other agents. These agents make local decisions based on their internal state and rules, which can lead to emergent system-level behaviors. The paradigm is common in game development, simulations, multi-agent systems and AI, and is used to model independent actors such as NPCs, robots or simulated entities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the field of computer science that develops systems and algorithms capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as recognition, reasoning, and decision-making. In a technology context, AI covers techniques like machine learning and deep learning, where models learn patterns from data to make predictions or classifications. AI applications range from search and recommendation systems in web and mobile apps to real-time image and audio processing in 3D/XR projects and post-production.

Autonomous agents

Autonomous agents are 3D entities in a virtual environment that perceive, decide, and act on their own without continuous direct human control or purely scripted sequences. They combine sensors (virtual perception of the world and other objects), an internal state or goals, and a decision-making mechanism (such as behavior trees, state machines, or learning algorithms) to determine their actions. In 3D contexts they are used for game NPCs, robotics and drone simulations, and crowd or emergent-behavior modeling. Key concerns include pathfinding, collision and local avoidance, reactive vs. planned behaviors, and sometimes adaptive learning for more complex tasks.

C

Copilot

A Copilot is an AI-driven assistant embedded in software environments to provide users with context-aware suggestions, automations and help. In practice it generates or completes text, code, queries or tasks based on the current context and user instructions, but it does not act fully autonomously without human oversight. Copilots typically combine large language models, context windows and integrations with files or tools, and they have limitations such as possible hallucinations, privacy and licensing concerns that require user verification.

Creative technology

Creative technology is an interdisciplinary field that combines engineering and technical skills with creative practice to build interactive experiences, installations, products and performances. It involves programming, electronics, sensors, interactive design principles, audiovisual production and often physical prototyping with microcontrollers or 3D printing. Key characteristics include experimentation, iterative prototyping and ‘‘research-through-making’’, typically carried out by teams of designers, developers and makers. The aim is not just functional solutions but meaningful, aesthetic or experiential outcomes for users and audiences.

Crop

Cropping means selecting a specific portion of visual or data content and using only that part for display or further processing. It is used to focus on a particular area, optimize performance, or exclude unnecessary parts. Cropping usually does not alter the underlying structure, but it does determine which part of the content is actually used.

Cycles

Cycles is Blender’s path-tracing render engine that simulates light in a physically realistic way. It computes global illumination, realistic shadows, reflections and refractions by tracing light paths, making it well suited for high‑quality final renders and productions where physical accuracy matters. Cycles can run on CPU and GPU (CUDA, OptiX, HIP, Metal depending on platform) and supports advanced features like subsurface scattering, caustics, volumetrics and denoising, but it is generally slower than real‑time engines like Eevee. Because it integrates tightly with Blender’s material node system, Cycles is a key tool in 3D modeling and shading pipelines for photoreal output.

software
E

EXIF

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a standard for metadata embedded in image files such as JPEG and TIFF. It stores technical information about the capture — camera and lens model, exposure settings (ISO, shutter speed, aperture), focal length, timestamp and often GPS coordinates and orientation. For web developers EXIF matters because it affects how images are displayed (for example automatic rotation), and because metadata has privacy and performance implications, so web apps frequently read, process or strip EXIF during upload or optimization.

Edge

An edge in 3D modeling is the line connection between two vertices in a mesh. Edges, together with vertices and faces, make up the model's topology and influence surface flow, subdivision behavior, and how deformations behave during animation. From a design perspective, edge flow (edge loops), hard versus soft edges, creasing, and proper edge placement are essential for predictable shading, clean UV seams, and avoiding non-manifold issues that can break rendering, texturing or 3D printing.

design

Eevee

Eevee is Blender’s real-time render engine designed for fast, interactive rendering of 3D scenes. Rather than path tracing, Eevee uses rasterization together with screen-space effects, shadow maps, and light probes to approximate lighting, shadows, and materials. This makes Eevee ideal for look-dev, previews, and animation iteration in 3D modeling and production, but less physically accurate than Cycles for final renders that require correct global illumination or caustics.

software

Extrude

Extrude is a common operation in 3D modeling where a selected face, edge or profile of a mesh is 'pulled out' to create new geometry. During extrusion the selected element is typically duplicated and connected with new side faces, adding volume or thickness to the model and changing its topology. Extrusion can be performed along the surface normal, a specific axis or along a curve/path, and is used to model features, extend edges, create walls or ribs; care must be taken with normals and edge flow to avoid non-manifold geometry or shading issues.

design
F

FBX

.FBX is a widely used file format for 3D assets, developed by Autodesk, intended for exchanging models and animations between different 3D applications. It can store mesh data, UVs, basic materials, textures, skeletal rigs, skinning weights and keyframe animations, which helps keep complex scenes intact during export and import. Because many packages (like Blender, Maya, Unity and Unreal) support FBX, it is popular in games, XR and animation productions; however, be aware of version incompatibilities and items that may not transfer perfectly, such as advanced shader node graphs or engine‑specific material setups.

Factory

A Factory is a design pattern from object-oriented programming that centralizes and abstracts object creation. In both 3D and web development you use a factory to create different concrete object types (e.g., meshes, materials, UI components, or API clients) in a uniform way without the caller knowing construction details. This makes code more maintainable, testable and flexible: you can swap implementations, integrate resource management and pooling (important for real-time 3D), and apply configuration or lazy loading more easily. A factory can be a simple function that returns objects or a fuller Abstract Factory / Factory Method implementation in larger systems.

face

A face is a closed surface element in a polygonal mesh, most commonly a triangle (tri) or a quadrilateral (quad). Faces make up the visible geometry of a 3D model and are the surfaces to which lighting, textures and shading are applied; their normals and orientation affect rendering and backface culling. From a design perspective, faces determine topology and edge flow, which are critical for deformation during animation, subdivision behavior, and maintaining an efficient polygon budget for real-time use.

design
I

ISP

ISP is an abbreviation with two common meanings in multimedia and tech: Image Signal Processor and Internet Service Provider. As an Image Signal Processor, ISP refers to dedicated hardware or firmware in camera and sensor systems that converts raw sensor data into usable images through steps like demosaicing, noise reduction, color correction and lens compensation — this is relevant to 3D scanning, video production, makers using camera modules, and web apps handling webcam streams. As an Internet Service Provider, an ISP is the organization that provides network infrastructure and internet access; this affects streaming quality for audio/video, remote collaboration, and hosting of web and 3D content, and is important for makers deploying IoT devices or cloud-based workflows. Both meanings often interact in projects: the ISP (image processor) determines image quality that you then transmit or consume over the network provided by an ISP (internet provider) in web and multimedia pipelines.

Interpolation

Interpolation is the calculation of intermediate values between defined points (keyframes or samples) to produce a smooth transition. In 3D it is used to compute positions, rotations, scales, morph targets and other animation parameters between keyframes; common methods include linear, spline and slerp (for rotations). In Audio/Video interpolation refers both to smooth parameter automation (like volume or panning) and video frame interpolation (frame blending, optical flow) as well as signal-processing techniques in sample-rate conversion or crossfades; here too linear and higher-order methods are used to reduce artifacts.

immersion

Immersion is the degree to which a user feels truly ‘inside’ a digital world. In 3D applications this experience depends on sensory fidelity (visuals, lighting, spatial audio), interactive responsiveness (latency, framerate, input behaviour) and design choices such as scale, consistency and believable physics. For AR, VR and XR, immersion also depends on how well virtual elements align with the real world or how convincingly the virtual environment behaves; comfort (reducing motion sickness) and narrative coherence are also key. Immersion can be assessed subjectively with questionnaires or objectively via behavioral and physiological metrics, and it is a central design goal for 3D creators.

design
L

Low poly pipeline

Een low poly pipeline is een workflow binnen 3D‑modellering waarbij modellen bewust een laag aantal polygonen (faces/vertices) behouden om realtime-prestaties te optimaliseren, vooral voor games, VR/AR en interactieve webtoepassingen. De pipeline omvat doorgaans stappen zoals modelleren of retopologie, UV‑unwrapping, het baking van hoge‑resolutie details naar texture maps (bijv. normal/ambient occlusion) en uiteindelijk textureren en exporteren naar een engine. Naast polygon‑budgetten richt de workflow zich op efficiënte topologie, LOD (levels of detail), draw‑call reductie en het slim gebruik van maps om visuele kwaliteit te behouden zonder veel geometrie. Deze aanpak is cruciaal in 3D‑productie waar realtime framerates en geheugenlimieten bepalen wat haalbaar is.

M

Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight markup language for writing human-readable plain text that can be easily converted to HTML (or other formats). It is designed to be both easy for people to read and straightforward for machines to process, providing simple syntax for headings, lists, links, images and code blocks. In web and mobile development, Markdown is commonly used for README files, documentation, blog posts and content that static site generators or headless CMSes render into HTML.

Mesh

A mesh is the basic structure of a 3D model, built from vertices (points), edges (lines) and faces (polygons). In 3D workflows and design, the mesh topology determines how a surface behaves for modeling, texturing and rigging; meshes also often include normals and UV coordinates to control shading and texture mapping. In 3D modeling it's essential to understand meshes: you manage polygon counts, proper edge flow for animation, and use techniques like retopology and LOD (level of detail) for real‑time performance or 3D printing preparation.

design

Mixed Reality

Mixed Reality (MR) is a class of experiences where digital 3D content and the physical world merge in real time and interact with each other. In MR, virtual objects are spatially anchored to the real environment with accurate positioning, occlusion and lighting so they appear plausibly present in the scene. MR sits on a continuum between augmented reality (simple overlays) and virtual reality (full immersion) and commonly requires spatial mapping, tracking and context-aware interaction so users can manipulate virtual elements as if they were physical.

MoCap

Motion capture (commonly called MoCap) is the digital recording of a real person’s or object’s movements so those motions can be used later in 3D productions and XR applications. In 3D workflows the captured motion is mapped to a character’s skeleton or rig and then cleaned and retargeted so the animation behaves correctly in a scene. In XR MoCap is used to drive realistic avatars and interactive animations either in real time or as recorded data, with concerns such as latency, occlusion and tracking accuracy being important technical considerations.

Modeling

Modeling is the process of creating and shaping three-dimensional objects in digital environments. It includes techniques such as polygonal modeling, NURBS, sculpting and procedural methods to define surface detail, topology and volume. In a 3D & XR context modeling also focuses on optimization: controlling polygon counts, creating clean UVs, baking normals and preparing LODs for real-time performance. Modeling is typically the first stage of an asset pipeline and provides the geometry needed for texturing, rigging, rendering and integration into XR applications.

P

PBR

PBR (Physically Based Rendering) is a shading approach that simulates how light interacts with surfaces based on real-world physics principles, producing consistent and realistic results across different lighting conditions. PBR materials use standardized texture maps including albedo for base color without lighting information, metallic to define metal versus non-metal surfaces, roughness to control micro-surface scattering from mirror-smooth to completely diffuse, and normal maps for surface detail. This standardization allows materials to work correctly in any lighting environment.

Path-tracing

Path tracing is a rendering technique that follows light paths from the camera through the scene to compute realistic lighting, shadows and reflections. It relies on Monte Carlo sampling: for each pixel random light paths (bounced rays) are generated and their radiance is averaged to approximate direct and indirect illumination. This method simulates global illumination and effects such as soft shadows, interreflections and caustics, but typically needs many samples (hence long render times) to reduce noise. In a 3D pipeline the quality of path tracing depends on good 3D modeling: correct scale, clean topology, accurate materials and proper UV mapping help the algorithm produce physically plausible results. Modern renderers use acceleration structures (like BVH), GPU rendering and denoisers to make path tracing more practical.

Polygon

A polygon is a flat surface bounded by straight lines. In 3D graphics, polygons are the building blocks of 3D models. Most 3D models consist of thousands to millions of polygons (usually triangles). The number of polygons determines the level of detail of a model.

design software

Python

Python is a general-purpose, dynamically typed programming language with an interpreter, a rich standard library, and a large ecosystem of third-party packages (installable via pip). In 3D development it is widely used as a scripting language (for example in Blender) to generate geometry, automate scenes, and control rendering workflows. In audio/video pipelines Python is used to capture, process and analyze media using libraries such as OpenCV, moviepy and FFmpeg wrappers. For maker/hardware projects Python runs on microcontrollers via MicroPython or CircuitPython and on devices like the Raspberry Pi to control sensors, actuators and serial devices. In web development Python is used for backends and APIs with frameworks like Django and Flask, enabling web interfaces that can trigger 3D tasks, media processing or hardware control.

R

Real-time rendering

Real-time rendering is the process by which a computer continuously computes and displays 3D images immediately so a user can see interactive results without noticeable delay. It requires rapid calculation of geometry, lighting, shading, and post-processing within a strict time budget (frame budget) to maintain smooth frame rates and low latency. In 3D contexts such as games, AR, VR and other XR applications, techniques like culling, level-of-detail, GPU shaders, and increasingly real-time ray tracing are used to balance visual fidelity with performance.

Render engine

A render engine is software that converts a 3D scene into a 2D image or animation by computing how light interacts with materials and cameras. Different engines use different algorithms—rasterization for real-time performance or ray/path tracing for physically accurate lighting—so they trade off speed against realism. A render engine relies on shaders, material models, sampling strategies and may run on CPU or GPU; settings like sample count, bounce depth and denoising affect final quality and render time. Render engines commonly output render passes/AOVs and integrate closely with 3D modeling and compositing workflows.

software

Rendering

Rendering is the process of converting a 3D scene (geometry, materials, lights and camera settings) into a 2D image or a sequence of frames for display. In 3D & XR this covers both offline rendering (for high-quality images or film where time per frame is large) and real-time rendering (for games, VR and AR) where frame rate and latency are critical. Key parts of rendering include rasterization vs ray tracing, shading via shaders, lighting and shadow calculations, and post-processing effects such as anti-aliasing and bloom.

S

Shader

A shader is a program that runs on the GPU and determines how pixels or vertices are computed and displayed. Shaders control effects like lighting, shadows, reflections, and materials. There are different types: vertex shaders (move points), fragment/pixel shaders (determine colors), and compute shaders.

programming hardware

Shading

Shading is the process that computes the color and brightness of a surface in a 3D scene based on lights, material properties, and viewer direction. It encompasses algorithms and shader programs that determine how light is reflected (diffuse, specular) and how attributes like glossiness, roughness, and shading gradients appear. Shading can be performed at different granularities (per-face, per-vertex, per-pixel) and is central both to artistic styles (e.g., toon shading) and to photorealism (e.g., PBR — Physically Based Rendering).

Singleton

The Singleton pattern is an OOP design pattern that ensures a class has at most one instance and provides a global access point to that instance. In both 3D applications (for example scene or resource managers, renderers or physics worlds) and web projects (for example database connections or authentication services), a singleton is used to centralize shared resources and coordination. Implementations use static members, modules/closures or framework-specific mechanisms (such as Unity's static instance or ES modules in frontend and Node.js); be aware of downsides like hidden dependencies, harder testing, lifecycle issues and concurrency concerns on servers or across workers.

Stereoscopy

Stereoscopy is a technique for creating the perception of depth by presenting each eye with a slightly different viewpoint, mirroring how our eyes receive different images in the real world. In 3D and XR contexts this is implemented by generating or capturing two separate images (left and right) and delivering them to the corresponding eyes via displays or glasses. Key technical concepts include binocular disparity, interocular distance (IPD), convergence, and display methods such as anaglyph, polarized filters, active shutter systems, and head‑mounted displays; perceptual constraints like visual discomfort and the vergence–accommodation conflict are also important considerations.

Subdivision modifier

A Subdivision modifier is a tool in 3D software that splits a mesh into smaller polygons in a controlled way, producing a smoother, more detailed surface. It typically uses a subdivision scheme (for example Catmull–Clark) to add new vertices and faces while preserving the object's overall shape rather than radically changing it. Subdivision is widely used in 3D modeling for creating smooth organic forms and finer detail; parameters like subdivision levels, creases, and adaptive subdivision let you balance detail and performance.

T

Texture

A texture in 3D graphics is a 2D image applied to the surface of a 3D model to add visual detail like color, patterns, surface imperfections, and material properties without increasing geometric complexity. Multiple texture types work together: diffuse/albedo maps define base color, normal maps simulate surface detail through lighting tricks, roughness maps control shininess variation, and metallic maps distinguish metal from non-metal surfaces. Textures are mapped onto models using UV coordinates.

Topology

Topology in 3D modeling describes the structure and connectivity of vertices, edges and faces in a mesh. It is not just about polygon count, but about edge flow — how edges follow and define anatomical or mechanical forms such as eyes, mouths and joints. Good topology (typically consistent quads and clear edge loops) produces smooth shading, predictable subdivision, correct deformation during animation and efficient rendering; poor topology can cause subdivision artifacts, pinching when bending, and difficulties with UV unwrapping and texturing.

Triangulation

Triangulation is the process of converting polygons (typically quads or n-gons) into triangles. In 3D modelling and real-time rendering this is necessary because graphics hardware and engines use triangles as the fundamental unit to render surfaces. The way polygons are triangulated affects topology, shading (vertex normals), UVs and animation: how a polygon is split can cause visible seams, pinching or unnatural deformation. Modelers may rely on automatic triangulation on export or triangulate manually to preserve edge flow and control deformation for skinned characters.

U

UV - unwrapping

UV unwrapping is the process of flattening a 3D model's surface into a two-dimensional representation (the UV map). You cut the mesh along UV seams and unfold the surface so a 2D texture can be accurately projected onto the 3D object. Good UV mapping prevents texture stretching, ensures consistent texel density, and enables accurate painting or baking of maps (e.g., normal, AO) in external tools—making it an essential step between 3D modeling and texturing/shading.

Unity

Unity is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies. It is used to build 2D and 3D games, VR/AR apps, simulations, and interactive experiences. Unity uses C# as its primary programming language and provides a visual editor, asset store, and extensive documentation.

programming design software
V

VR (Virtual Reality)

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that creates a fully artificial, computer-generated environment in which users can navigate and interact. VR is experienced through headsets that cover the entire field of view, often combined with motion controllers for interaction.

design hardware software

Vector

A vector is a mathematical object that has both direction and magnitude (length). In 3D computer graphics vectors are used to represent positions, displacements, velocities, and surface directions (normals). Vectors have components (for example x, y, z) and support operations such as addition, scalar multiplication, normalization, and the dot and cross products. In graphic design the term also appears in 'vector graphics' (like SVG), where shapes are defined by mathematical paths and remain crisp when scaled, unlike raster images.

VoIP

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is de techniek om spraak en aanverwante realtime media (zoals video) over IP-netwerken te transporteren in plaats van via traditionele telefoonlijnen. Het omvat signalering (bijv. SIP), mediatransport (RTP/SRTP), codecs voor compressie en mechanismen voor latency-, jitter- en packetverliesbeheer. Voor 3D- en XR-toepassingen is VoIP belangrijk omdat het realtime, vaak ruimtelijke audio mogelijk maakt; voor Audio/Video-productie zijn latency en codec-keuzes cruciaal voor kwaliteit; voor Makers betekent het dat je zowel software (bijv. SIP-servers of WebRTC-signaling) als hardware (bijv. microfoons, Raspberry Pi PBX of audio-interfaces) kunt bouwen of integreren; voor Web-ontwikkelaars is VoIP relevant via WebRTC, SIP-over-WebSocket en browser-API's voor het opzetten van directe audio/video-verbindingen. Veiligheid (SRTP, TLS), NAT-traversal (STUN/TURN) en QoS-instellingen op netwerken zijn gemeenschappelijke uitdagingen voor alle genoemde skillsets.

vertex

A vertex is a single point in 3D space that serves as a corner of a mesh. In 3D modeling and design a vertex normally stores not only its position but also attributes such as a normal vector, UV coordinates, color, and skinning weights. Vertices are connected by edges to form faces (commonly triangles or quads); their positions and attributes determine a model's shape, shading, and how it deforms during animation.

design