Definition: Lithography, also known as lithographic printing or photographic lithography, is a process used to create prints by exposing the surface of a material like paper, plastic, glass, or metal to an image in a chemical solution such as water or alcohol. The process involves applying a dark pigment onto a transparent substrate and exposing it under ultraviolet light, where the pigment absorbs the light energy from the sun and turns into a white color. The resulting images are typically made by applying a high-index printing ink (like water-based pigments) to the transparent surface, which creates small bubbles or "liths" that eventually appear as solid prints. The process is sensitive to the type of pigment used, the purity of the substrate, and other factors such as temperature and exposure time. Lithography has been used for centuries in various contexts, including printing books, reproducing historical documents, creating photographs from old photographic negatives, and producing images on glassware. The technique has become particularly common in the field of 3D printing due to its ability to produce highly detailed and lifelike prints in a matter of seconds. The exact definition of "lithography" can vary depending on context and author's usage of the term. Typically, lithography is defined as "the process of using a pigment and ink to print a transparent surface with light from an ultraviolet source," but there may be different definitions or variations within specific fields such as industrial design, photogrammetry, and computer graphics. For example, in industrial design, the process involves applying a high-index printing ink (like water-based pigments) to the transparent substrate, creating small bubbles that eventually appear on the surface. The process is sensitive to the type of pigment used, the purity of the substrate, and other factors such as temperature and exposure time. In photogrammetry or computer graphics, lithography could refer to any technique that uses a digital camera or scanner (such as Photoshop or Lightroom) to create photorealistic images from images in 3D. The process involves applying a high-index printing ink (like water-based pigments) to the transparent surface of an object, creating small bubbles that eventually appear on the surface. In computer graphics and visual effects, lithography could refer to any technique used to create intricate and detailed visual elements, such as fog, shadows, or even images with complex patterns. The process involves applying a high-index printing ink (like water-based pigments) to the transparent surface of an object, creating small bubbles that eventually appear on the surface. Overall, the exact definition and technical terms can vary depending on the context and author's usage of the word "lithography."

lithography