Definitions

• Graphics
  Graphics or more precisely, rendering refers to the process of turning abstract descriptions of geometric shapes into pictures for consumption by a human.

  Visualization

  Visualization is a relatively new term, coined in 1987, which captures the gamut of techniques for creating geometry from abstract data. (Need a slide here showing some simple visualization techniques, explain the use of color, direct visualization (one-to-one mapping of data points to icons) or indirect visualization (isosurfaces, streamlines))

  Virtual Reality

  Nobody can seem to agree on a precise definition for this term. At the nexus of overlap of most definitions lies a description or recipe for a user-interface. With a broad definition such as this, a continuum is revealed in software and hardware sophistication, ranging from command-line interfaces and monoscopic CRT displays through gestural-recognition systems with fully immersive stereoscopic displays integrating vision systems, voice control, force- and audio feedback.