Draadvormen

Draadvormen refers to wireframe representations of three-dimensional objects, where the model is defined by its edges and vertices. In a draadvorm surfaces are not shaded or filled; the structure is shown as a network of lines, usually colored to indicate different components. The term is common in Dutch-language texts about computer graphics, CAD, and 3D modeling and is equivalent to the English term wireframe model.

Historically, draadvormen appeared as a natural stage in the evolution of 3D visualization when computing power and graphics hardware were limited. They allowed designers to understand geometry, topology, and spatial relationships without rendering full surfaces. Today, draadvormen are often used for quick previews, debugging geometric data, or during early design phases, though they have been largely superseded in final presentations by shaded or textured models.

From a technical perspective, a draadvorm is typically produced from polygon meshes by retaining only the vertices and edges. Techniques such as hidden-line removal can hide edges obscured by the object itself, improving readability. Variants may include colored edges to indicate features, or different line styles to distinguish sharp versus smooth curvature.

Applications span computer graphics, computer-aided design, architecture, and education. The approach remains valuable for analyzing topology, collision detection, and performance considerations, especially in complex scenes where a full rendering would be too resource-intensive.