In geometry, a primitive is the simplest of default geometrical figures or shapes. More complex figures are built up by combining primitives. There is no rigorous, logical definition of a primitive. What counts as a primitive and what does not is largely a matter of personal opinion and convention, and varies depending on the context.
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In mathematics
In constructive solid geometry, primitives are simple geometric shapes such as a cube, cylinder, sphere, cone, pyramid, torus.
In computer graphics
The term geometric primitive in computer graphics and CAD systems is used in various senses, with common meaning of atomic geometric objects the system can handle (draw, store). Sometimes the subroutines that draw the corresponding objects are called "geometric primitives" as well. The most "primitive" primitives are point and straight line segment, which were all that early vector graphics systems had. Modern 2D computer graphics systems may operate with primitives which are lines (segments of straight lines, circles and more complicated curves), as well as shapes (boxes, arbitrary polygons, circles). A common set of two-dimensional primitives includes points, lines, and polygons, although some people prefer to consider triangles primitives, because every polygon can be constructed from triangles. All other graphic elements are built up from these primitives. In three dimensions, triangles or polygons positioned in three-dimensional space can be used as primitives to model more complex 3D forms. In some cases, curves (such as Bézier curves, circles, etc.) may be considered primitives; in other cases, curves are complex forms created from many straight, primitive shapes. Commonly used geometric primitives include:
- points
- lines and line segments
- planes
- circles and spheres
- triangles and other polygons
- spline curves
Note that in 3D applications basic geometric shapes and forms are considered to be primitives rather than the above list. Such shapes and forms include:
These are considered to be primitives in 3D modelling because they are the building blocks for many other shapes and forms. A 3D package may also include a list of extended primitives which are more complex shapes that come with the package. For example, a teapot is listed as a primitive in 3D Studio Max because it comes with the package, and because a teapot was the first complex object to be modelled using 3D-modelling techniques.
See also
- Texture primitive
