Anti Aliasing Explained
I'm starting a new series called Graphics Terminology. Just as the name suggests, it will explain common graphics terms, and what they do. I'm kicking it off with Anti Aliasing explained.
What is Anti Aliasing and what does it do? Anti aliasing, or AA, is a technology that attempts to remove the jagged edges pixels create. Since pixels are square shaped, they can look sharp when displaying horizontal or vertical lines or images; when they display diagonal, or curved lines, they can look very jagged. These jaggy edges can be eliminated by raising the resolution. When you raise the resolution, the pixels become smaller, and the jagged edges less noticable. Running at a higher resolution will always yield better results, but anti aliasing provides an alternative if you can't run at a higher resolution.
Here are two worst scenario pictures. On the left is a vertical line made up of 24 pixels; it looks smooth, and sharp. in the center is a diagonal line, also made up of 24 pixels. You can see that it looks very jagged and unnatural. So where does anti aliasing come into play? Anti aliasing is a proccess that takes the data in the spaces the diagonal lines leave, and tries to fill them to give a smooth, natural appearance. On the left is what anti aliasing attempts to do, but since it is aproximated, it is never perfect.
What is Anti Aliasing and what does it do? Anti aliasing, or AA, is a technology that attempts to remove the jagged edges pixels create. Since pixels are square shaped, they can look sharp when displaying horizontal or vertical lines or images; when they display diagonal, or curved lines, they can look very jagged. These jaggy edges can be eliminated by raising the resolution. When you raise the resolution, the pixels become smaller, and the jagged edges less noticable. Running at a higher resolution will always yield better results, but anti aliasing provides an alternative if you can't run at a higher resolution.
Here are two worst scenario pictures. On the left is a vertical line made up of 24 pixels; it looks smooth, and sharp. in the center is a diagonal line, also made up of 24 pixels. You can see that it looks very jagged and unnatural. So where does anti aliasing come into play? Anti aliasing is a proccess that takes the data in the spaces the diagonal lines leave, and tries to fill them to give a smooth, natural appearance. On the left is what anti aliasing attempts to do, but since it is aproximated, it is never perfect.