Final answer:
The digital technique for analyzing 3D geometry and determining surface illumination and shading is known as 3D graphics or computer-generated imagery (CGI), involving the manipulation of light and shadow to create the illusion of depth and form in digital artwork.
Step-by-step explanation:
Artists have long used the interplay of light and shadow to give the illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat surface. The digital technique that analyzes the three-dimensional geometry of forms to determine illumination and shading of surfaces is part of what we call 3D graphics or computer-generated imagery (CGI). This technique involves creating virtual reality works or photo-realistic images using computer software, which allows artists to manipulate geometric shapes, curves, and light to achieve the desired visual effects.
Chiaroscuro, an art term meaning 'dark and light', historically refers to the technique of using strong contrasts in light and shade to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane, as showcased in works by artists like Michelangelo. This principle is carried into the digital realm, where software programs emulate this effect, providing artists with tools to create and render digital art that closely resembles physical objects with accurate shading and shadow details.
The use of perspective in artwork, as well documented since the time of Alberti's treatise on painting, helps artists convey depth and form. Through technologies like fractal art and algorithmic art, which often rely on complex geometric calculations, digital artists can experiment with light, shadow, and perspective to produce stunning virtual pieces that blur the line between the digital and the physical world.