Projection matrix (computer graphics)

3D projection is any method of mapping three-dimensional points to a two-dimensional plane. As most current methods for displaying graphical data are based on planar (pixel information from several bitplanes) two-dimensional media, the use of this type of projection is widespread, especially in computer graphics, engineering and drafting.

When the human eye looks at a scene, objects in the distance appear smaller than objects close by. Orthographic projection ignores this effect to allow the creation of to-scale drawings for construction and engineering.

Orthographic projections are a small set of transforms often used to show profile, detail or precise measurements of a three dimensional object. Common names for orthographic projections include plane, cross-section, bird's-eye, and elevation.

If the normal of the viewing plane (the camera direction) is parallel to one of the primary axes (which is the x, y, or z axis), the mathematical transformation is as follows; To project the 3D point ${\displaystyle a_{x}}$, ${\displaystyle a_{y}}$, ${\displaystyle a_{z}}$ onto the 2D point ${\displaystyle b_{x}}$, ${\displaystyle b_{y}}$ using an orthographic projection parallel to the y axis (profile view), the following equations can be used:

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