C. Exploring the World of 3D

You already know that in the arena of computer graphics, there are two playing fields: pixel-based graphics and vector-based graphics. It just so happens that in the world of 3D, there is also an important distinction between pixels and vectors. When you think about 3D, imagery like that seen in blockbuster Hollywood movies and in animated feature films comes immediately to mind. The tools used to create these realistic images are incredibly sophisticated (and expensive), and they render shading, surface textures, and reflections using pixels. In contrast, the 3D feature in Illustrator uses vector artwork to generate not just the 3D geometry of an object but also the lighting and shading.