This is an introductory course on the major topics in the areas of image synthesis, interactive techniques, geometric modeling, and computer-based animation. The material covered includes

• principles of operation of raster graphics display devices
• algorithms for creating and manipulating two-dimensional raster objects
• sampling and antialiasing
• homogeneous coordinate transformation techniques
• parallel and central projection and perspective transformations
• common algorithms for clipping
• hidden surface removal
• light and reflectance models for local and global illumination
• Gouraud and Phong shading and basic texture and bump mapping
• principles of ray tracing
• basic object modeling techniques
• principles of visual perception and basic color theory
• principles of hierarchical modeling.
• basic animation

Grading will be based on two exams, the first in the middle of the semester and the second given on the last class day, along with a series of implementation projects which will be assigned through the semester. The exams will emphasize the ideas, principles and mathematics behind the material covered and will not involve writing code fragments. Persons taking this course on a pass/fail basis need not take the exams. For these students, successful completion of the projects will determine the course grade. Project submissions will each include a code listing and a written project description, which will include a description of the software architecture of the system and a user's guide. Grading also involves interactive demonstrations of the programs by the students. Program development may be done anywhere, but the version of the assignments that is turned in and demonstrated must be able to be built and executed on the department's publix Linux machines.

Programs are due at midnight on the date indicated. This will be determined by the time at which the turnin program records the receipt of the turned in materials. Late programs will lose 25% for each 24 hours or fraction thereof that they are late, unless special arrangements are made with the instructor in advance.

We will be doing projects using OpenGL this semester. Implementation can be done in C++, using FLTK to make user interface building easier.

Software needed for your projects is installed on the public Linux machines in Taylor Hall and in Painter Hall. It has specifically been tested on the "ship" machines, if you have trouble running it on others, please report it to either the instructor or the TA. You can feel free to download and install FLTK on your own machines and work there, but you will need to turn in programs that work on the public Linux machines. Instructions for using fltk on the lab machines will be given out with the first programming assignment.