Top 10 Geometry Algorithm Books

The Top 10 Books for Geometry Algorithms
Here is our selection of the Top 10 geometry algorithm books. It is based on the value of the book as a source of geometry algorithms or algorithm ideas for a software developer.

1.
(1998)		Computational Geometry in C (2nd Edition) by Joseph O'Rourke
		New: $37.60 List: ~~$42.00~~ Buy Used from: $28.25

	A great book. It both presents a wide variety of essential algorithms, and also includes detailed implementations in "C" with concern for the fine points. It is not just a cookbook, as many code-oriented books are, but encourages creative problem-solving thinking, often comparing and discussing multiple algorithmic approaches to the same problem. It is a must-read by all serious practitioners, and is a great text for an intermediate level course. Code from the book can be downloaded from the author's site: Computational Geometry in C.

2.
(2000)		Computational Geometry : Algorithms and Applications by Mark de Berg, Marc van Kreveld, Mark Overmars, & Otfried Schwarzkopf
		New: $40.40 List: ~~$49.95~~ Buy Used from: $34.21

	An excellent textbook with detailed coverage of a large variety of algorithms. This and O'Rourke's book are the main contenders for the textbook of choice for a course. In reality, they compliment each other with their slightly different points of view, and each has its own unique material. This text is slightly more structured than O'Rourke's which is more free flowing. Both are first rate, and represent the current state of geometry algorithms.

3.
	This entry is actually a series of 5 books.
(1990)		Graphics Gems edited by Andrew Glassner
		New: $78.00 List: ~~$91.95~~ Buy Used from: $34.94


(1994)		Graphics Gems II edited by James Arvo
		New: $91.95 Buy Used from: $39.83


(1994)		Graphics Gems III edited by David Kirk
		New: Out of Stock List: $83.95 Buy Used from: $189.32


(1994)		Graphics Gems IV edited by Paul Heckbert
		New: Out of Stock List: $83.95 Buy Used from: $67.16


(1995)		Graphics Gems V edited by Alan Paeth
		New: $91.95 Buy Used from: $49.96

	This outstanding series has algorithms of all types, with "C" code, for computer graphics and computational geometry. It includes many fundamental geometry algorithms, especially for those special cases that always show up in practice. Code from this series can be downloaded from the Graphics Gems Repository. Each volume has sections for significant areas of graphics such as "Geometry", "Image Processing", "Ray Tracing", etc. However, there is no clear structural attempt to give comprehensive coverage of a topic, and the format is more like a potpourri with all books and chapters being independent. Nevertheless, taken together these books provide a large compendium of known practical algorithms. The journal of graphics tools is a follow-on to this book series.

4.
(2002)		Real-Time Rendering (2nd Edition) by Tomas Moller & Eric Haines
		New: $55.20 List: ~~$69.00~~ Buy Used from: $40.00

	A practitioner's bible with a large number of efficient computational techniques for computer graphics applications. Included are intersection and collision test methods, lighting and shading, texturing, special effects, speed up techniques, polygon methods, pipeline optimization, and more. This is a valuable reference work to own. They also have a great web site on Real-Time Rendering Resources with many links to sites concerning the wide range of topics covered in the book.

5.
(2002)		Geometric Tools for Computer Graphics by Philip Schneider & David Eberly
		New: $91.95 Buy Used from: $65.95

	A massive encyclopedia (1056 pages) of basic geometry algorithms (including sample code). This book covers 2D and 3D, with special treatment for all the special case algorithms to compute distance, approximation, containment, decomposition, intersection, separation, boolean operations, etc for linear and quadratic geometric objects. This is an essential reference for you to own, and will save you countless hours of time. Very reasonably priced for the quantity of material it contains. David Eberly maintains a web site, Magic Software, with material and source code related to the book.

6.
(2000)		Computer Graphics Using OpenGL by Francis Hill
		New: Out of Stock List: $110.00 Buy Used from: $9.53

	Highly practical -- and exceptionally accessible -- this book combines the principles and major techniques in computer graphics with state-of-the-art examples. Uniquely thorough and integrated in approach, it carefully presents each concept, explains the underlying mathematics and why it is important, shows how to translate the math into program code, and shows the result. Uses OpenGL and C++ throughout.

7.
(1999)		Handbook of Discrete and Combinatorial Mathematics edited by Kenneth Rosen, John Michaels, & Jonathan Gross
		New: $101.88 List: ~~$129.95~~

	This is huge handbook (1248 pages) which comprehensively covers the field of discrete mathematics. It includes large sections on Graph Theory (12 chapters, 108 pages) and Discrete and Computational Geometry (8 chapters, 92 pages). Implementation details are given for many essential algorithms in these areas. In addition, there are many other chapters in fields that can be brought to bear on geometry algorithm solutions. This is a good general reference to own.

8.
(1989)		Introduction to Geometry (2nd Edition) by H.S. MacDonald Coxeter
		New: $74.40 List: ~~$93.95~~ Buy Used from: $68.00

	This book was originally published in 1961, and is a modern classic by the 20th century's foremost master of geometry. It covers a multitude of geometric techniques and computational methods from the mathematician's point of view. Even though it predates widespread use of computers, it is a fundamental reference for modern geometry, and its republication in 1989 attests to this fact. If you are faced with an unfamiliar or difficult geometric problem, this would be a good place to look. It covers all branches of modern geometry with a clear overview of each.

9.
	The most popular geometry text for over 2000 years (now in 3 volumes).
(1956)		The Thirteen Books of Euclid's Elements, Vol 1 (Books I and II)) by Thomas Heath
		New: $10.17 List: ~~$14.95~~ Buy Used from: $4.80


(1956)		The Thirteen Books of Euclid's Elements, Vol 2 (Books III-IX) by Gail Kay Haines and Thomas Heath
		New: $11.53 List: ~~$16.95~~ Buy Used from: $1.92


(1956)		The Thirteen Books of Euclid's Elements, Vol 3 (Books X-XIII) by Thomas Heath
		New: $10.17 List: ~~$14.95~~ Buy Used from: $1.99

	This is the definitive modern English translation (in 3 Volumes) of Euclid's Elements. Volume 1 covers Books I and II of Euclid. Volumes II and III cover all the other of Euclid's 13 Books. This is a complete unabridged translation which includes analysis and commentary about each definition, postulate, and proposition. Detailed references are given for all the major Greek geometers whose work comprised Euclid's Elements. These are polished scholarly books.

10.
(2002)		Standard Mathematical Tables and Formulas (31st Edition) by Daniel Zwillinger


	This is an essential (and reasonably priced) reference work that puts a wealth of well-organized math formulas and tables at your finger tips. It has extensive coverage of discrete math, trigonometry, geometry, linear algebra, calculus, special functions, numerical methods, probability, and statistics. This may be the best of the math formula handbooks with many fundamental geometric computations.