Linear refers to relationships, mappings or systems whose output is proportional to and additive in their input, a property exploited heavily in graphics colour spaces and numerical methods.
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- Linearity means a function satisfies additivity and scaling, so transformations compose predictably. Linear transforms expressed as matrices underpin vertex processing, projection and skinning in real-time graphics.
- Physically based rendering performs lighting maths in a linear colour space before applying a non-linear transfer curve for display. Working in linear light keeps additive operations such as blending and filtering correct, after which a gamma encoding is applied for output.