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N-gon

3min

A polygon with any number of sides and angles is called an N-gon. The most common type of N-gon is the triangle, which has three sides and three angles. However, there are also polygons with four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more sides.

In computer graphics, N-gons are often used to represent complex shapes. However, they can also be challenging to render properly because of their complex shapes. For this reason, it is often better to use triangles or quads (polygons with four sides) to represent complex shapes.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using N-gons in computer graphics:

Advantages:

  • N-gons can be used to represent complex shapes more easily than triangles or quads.
  • N-gons can be used to create smoother surfaces than triangles or quads.

Disadvantages:

  • N-gons can be more difficult to render properly than triangles or quads.
  • N-gons can cause rendering artifacts, such as shading errors and jagged edges.

Overall, N-gons can be a useful tool in computer graphics, but they should be used with caution. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using N-gons before using them in a project.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about N-gons:

  • N-gons with more than four sides can be more difficult to subdivide into triangles for rendering.
  • N-gons with non-planar faces can cause shading errors.
  • N-gons with sharp edges can cause jagged rendering.

In general, it is best to avoid using N-gons in computer graphics unless you have a specific reason to use them. If you do need to use N-gons, it is important to take steps to minimize the potential problems associated with them.

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Updated 03 Apr 2024
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