How Computers Turn Ones and Zeros into 3D Worlds

Discover exactly how computers take zeroes and ones and use them to generate convincing 3D spaces.

It is often said that computers “think” in ones and zeroes. This notion is a fact for most conventional computers. Due to the way the circuits are built, the most reliable way to store, retrieve, and process data is by flipping electronic switches called transistors on (1) and off (0).‍

So how, I once wondered, do computers take those ones and zeroes and manage to create the rich immersive world of Ancient Greece in Assassins Creed: Odyssey, or the fluid acrobatics and web-slinging movements of our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?

In the following sections, we will see exactly how computers take these zeroes and ones and use them to generate convincing 3D spaces.

Ones and zeros can represent any number

First, we must understand how a binary number system can represent numbers greater than one. Let’s start by examining the number system we’re already familiar with, decimal. Decimal is called that because it gives us ten numbers to work with. One through nine and zero, which represents no value at all.