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Point Clipping Algorithm in Computer
Graphics
In the previous chapter, we presented an overview of several clipping algorithms. From
this chapter, we will explain these clipping algorithms in detail for a better understanding
of these concepts. In this chapter, we will cover point clipping in detail. This is the most
fundamental and easiest algorithm to clip a point inside a viewport.
What is Clipping?
We have covered the concept of Windowing and Viewing in the previous chapter. These
are useful when putting something inside a fixed window. And to reduce computation, we
ignore all the things outside the window.
Formally, clipping means the procedure used to identify parts of a picture that are either
inside or outside a specified region. This region is called the clip window. Clippings are
used in these fields and some other fields as well.
Extracting specific parts of a scene for viewing
Determining visible surfaces in 3D views
Handling drawing and painting operations
Supporting multi-window environments
The clip window can either be a simple polygon or have more complex boundaries like
curves, depending on the application.
What is Point Clipping?
Point clipping is a type of clipping algorithm that focuses specifically on determining
whether a point lies within the clip window or not. This method checks if a point is within
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the bounds of the rectangular region defined by the clip window.
Here the point (x, y) is inside the window in the left figure so it is not clipped. But in the
right hand side image, the window is shifted to the right and the point in outside the
window, so it will be clipped (removed from the window) its calculation is not needed
anymore.
How Point Clipping Works?
Assume we have a point P = (x, y) and a rectangular clip window defined by the
following boundaries:
xwmin − The minimum x-coordinate of the clip window
xwmax − The maximum x-coordinate of the clip window
ywmin − The minimum y-coordinate of the clip window
ywmax − The maximum y-coordinate of the clip window
To determine whether the point P lies within the clip window, we check the following
inequalities:
xwmin < x < xwmax
ywmin < y < ywmax
If the point P satisfies all these conditions, it is saved for display. However, if P does not
satisfy any of these inequalities, it is considered outside the clip window and is clipped,
meaning it will not be displayed.
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Here the (xwmin, ywmin) = (1, 2) and (xwmax, ywmax) = (5, 4), the point coordinate is (2,
3)
For the first case, it satisfies the conditions:
1<2<5
2<3<4
For the second case, the point is at (3, 1) so it does not satisfies the condition for y, and
it is clipped.
1<3<5
2 < 1 < 4 (invalid condition)
Applications of Point Clipping
While point clipping is not as commonly used as other types of clipping (such as line or
polygon clipping), there are specific cases where point clipping is essential. For example
−
In particle systems, where points represent individual particles in scenes like
explosions or sea foam, point clipping ensures that only particles within the visible
region are displayed.
In large datasets, where millions of points need to be visualized, point clipping
helps in managing and displaying only the relevant data points within the clip
window.
Point clipping provides a simple and efficient method to manage such cases, ensuring
that only necessary data is shown on the screen.
Conclusion
In this chapter, we covered the basics of clipping and the different types of clipping
algorithms. We then focused on point clipping, explaining how it works by checking
