Rasterization
Rasterization is a fundamental computer graphics technique that converts vector-based geometric primitives (like points, lines, and polygons) into a raster image composed of pixels for display on a screen. It involves determining which pixels in a 2D grid are covered by a shape and assigning appropriate color values to them, typically using algorithms like scanline rendering. This process is essential for rendering 3D scenes in real-time applications such as video games and simulations.
Developers should learn rasterization when working on graphics programming, game development, or any application requiring real-time 2D or 3D rendering, as it is the core method used by modern GPUs for efficient image generation. It is crucial for optimizing performance in graphics pipelines, implementing custom rendering engines, or understanding how frameworks like OpenGL and DirectX operate under the hood. Use cases include creating visual effects, developing CAD software, or building interactive visualizations where speed and efficiency are priorities.