Explain the concept of computer graphics pipeline in computer graphics.

The computer graphics pipeline refers to the series of stages or processes that a graphics system follows to generate and display images on a computer screen. It involves several steps, including geometry processing, rasterization, and pixel shading.

1. Geometry Processing: This stage involves transforming the geometric data of objects in a 3D scene, such as vertices and polygons, into a format suitable for rendering. It includes operations like translation, rotation, scaling, and projection.

2. Rasterization: In this stage, the transformed geometric data is converted into a raster image, which is a grid of pixels. Rasterization involves determining which pixels are covered by the objects in the scene and assigning appropriate colors or attributes to those pixels.

3. Pixel Shading: Once the raster image is generated, pixel shading is performed to determine the final color or appearance of each pixel. This stage involves applying various shading models, textures, lighting calculations, and other effects to achieve realistic or desired visual results.

4. Display: The final stage of the graphics pipeline involves displaying the processed image on the computer screen or other output devices. This may include additional operations like scan conversion, frame buffering, and synchronization with the display hardware.

Overall, the computer graphics pipeline is a crucial concept in computer graphics as it outlines the sequence of operations required to transform geometric data into visually appealing images for display.