Ellipse Generation Algorithm (Detailed Answer for 7.
5 or 15 Marks)
Definition:
The Ellipse Generation Algorithm is used to plot an ellipse on a raster display
by calculating and drawing pixel points that approximate the curve of an ellipse.
Key Idea:
An ellipse centered at the origin with horizontal radius (a) and vertical radius (b) is defined by:
(x^2)/(a^2) + (y^2)/(b^2) = 1
Due to symmetry, we only need to calculate points for one quadrant and reflect them into the others.
Midpoint Ellipse Algorithm:
It is the most efficient way to draw ellipses using only integer calculations.
Algorithm Works in 2 Regions:
Region 1 (slope < 1):
- Start at point (0, b)
- Decision parameter: P1 = b^2 - a^2b + (1/4)a^2
- Loop until 2b^2x <= 2a^2y
- At each step:
- If P1 < 0: next point is (x+1, y)
- Else: next point is (x+1, y-1)
- Update decision parameter accordingly
Region 2 (slope >= 1):
- Start with decision parameter:
P2 = b^2(x + 0.5)^2 + a^2(y - 1)^2 - a^2b^2
- Loop until y = 0
- At each step:
- If P2 > 0: next point is (x, y-1)
- Else: next point is (x+1, y-1)
- Update decision parameter accordingly
Symmetry:
For every calculated point (x, y), plot:
- (x, y), (-x, y), (x, -y), (-x, -y)
Result:
The full ellipse is plotted using integer operations without floating-point math,
making it suitable for fast raster displays.
Advantages:
- Efficient and fast
- Uses only integer addition, subtraction, and multiplication
- Avoids floating-point computations
Applications:
- Drawing ellipses in graphic editors
- Game development
- CAD tools
- Animation software