

The wire frame format is also well-suited and widely used in programming tool paths for direct numerical control (DNC) machine tools. This allows a designer to quickly review solids, or rotate objects to different views without the long delays associated with more realistic rendering, or even the processing of faces and simple flat shading. When greater graphical detail is desired, surface textures can be added automatically after the completion of the initial rendering of the wire frame. Since wire-frame renderings are relatively simple and fast to calculate, they are often used in cases where a relatively high screen frame rate is needed (for instance, when working with a particularly complex 3D model, or in real-time systems that model exterior phenomena). Traditional two-dimensional views and drawings/renderings can be created by the appropriate rotation of the object, and the selection of hidden-line removal via cutting planes. Using a wire-frame model allows for the visualization of the underlying design structure of a 3D model. 3D solid modeling efficiently draws higher quality representations of solids than conventional line drawing.

3D wire frame computer models allow for the construction and manipulation of solids and solid surfaces. The term "wire frame" comes from designers using metal wire to represent the three-dimensional shape of solid objects. The object is projected into screen space and rendered by drawing lines at the location of each edge. It is created by specifying each edge of the physical object where two mathematically continuous smooth surfaces meet, or by connecting an object's constituent vertices using (straight) lines or curves. Sample rendering of a wire-frame cube, icosahedron, and approximate sphere Image of a wire-frame object, using hidden-line removal Perspective shown in a wire-frame representation of an architectural project Wireframe render of a complex 3D model representing a bathing robe Ī wire-frame model, also wireframe model, is a visual representation of a three-dimensional (3D) physical object used in 3D computer graphics.
