CS 184
FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS

Updated Course Description, Spring 2011

Techniques of modeling objects for the purpose of computer graphics rendering:

Boundary representations, constructive solids geometry, hierarchical scene descriptions.
Mathematical techniques for curve and surface representation.
Graphics Interaction Techniques.
Kinematics and inverse kinematics.

Basic elements of the classical computer graphics rendering pipeline:

Architecture of modern graphics display devices.
Geometrical transformations such as rotation, scaling, translation, and their matrix representation.
Homogeneous coordinates, projective and perspective transformations.
Algorithms for clipping, hidden surface removal, rasterization, and anti-aliasing.
Scan-line based and ray based rendering algorithms.
Lighting models for reflection, refraction, transparency.

Techniques to achieve photo-realistic rendering:

Ray-casting, ray-tracing
Texture mapping, bump mapping, environment mapping
Radiosity, photon-mapping

TEXTBOOK:

REQUIRED:
"Fundamentals of Computer Graphics" ( 2nd or 3rd Edition) by Peter Shirley et. al, A.K. Peters, 2005.

Other good books useful as permanent references:

"Interactive Computer Graphics: A Top-Down Approach with OpenGL" (3rd Edition) by Edward Angel.
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Publishing; ISBN: 020138597X;
This is typically bundled with:
"OpenGL: A Primer" by Edward Angel.
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co; ISBN: 0201741865; (2002)

Foley, vanDam, Feiner, Huges: "Comuter Graphics", 2nd ed. in C, Addison Wesley, 1996.

KEY DATES (tentative):

Take-home Quiz #1: (March 9-11)
Midterm Exam: in class: (April 8)
Final Exam: (May 13 ):
Final Project Due: (May 11).

GRADING:

The course grade will be based on a cumulative weighted score:

10% Class Attendance, plus various Mini-Quizes,
5% Take-Home Quiz #1,
10% In-Class Midterm Exam,
25% Final Exam,
25% Total of all Homeworks,
25% Final Course Project.

The point scores will be converted into letter grades on a mostly pre-defined conversion curve that has been established over the last several teachings of this course.

LATE POLICY:

Homeworks and projects have a hard due date (and time).
25% of the maximal score will be deducted for every day after the deadline.

There are no make-up opportunities for the exams.