Swarthmore CS40: Graphics, Spring 2009

Introduction

Welcome to CS40: Computer Graphics. This course focuses on the creation and manipulation of digital imagery. We will examine modeling from both a raster or pixel-based perspective and the more geometric vector based approach. Core topics include geometric primitives, 2D and 3D matrix transformations, projective geometry, object modelling. We also examine the rendering pipeline and algorithms that improve performance including clipping and hidden surface removal and depth buffers. Intermediate topics include texture mapping, lighting, shadows, and curved surface modeling. Starting with the OpenGL framework allows us to explore some advanced topics as well including grammar based models, isosurface extraction, and applications to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and computational geometry.

Announcements

Course is completed

Class info

Room: Science Center 240
Time: TR 2:40pm–3:55pm
Text: OpenGL Programming Guide (6e) by Shreiner et al. (required) Interactive Computer Graphics (5e) by Edward Angel (recommended)

Instructor info

Professor: Andrew Danner
Office: Science Center 253
Phone: (610) 328-8665
Office hours: by appointment

Schedule

WEEK	DAY	ANNOUNCEMENTS	TOPIC & READING	LABS
1	Jan 20		Intro to C++/OpenGL Graphic Primatives The Rendering Pipeline
	Jan 22
2	Jan 27		Event driven programming, simple animation	Lab 01
	Jan 29	Drop/add ends (Jan 30)
3	Feb 03		Geometric Primitives Vector and Matrix operations	Lab 02
	Feb 05
4	Feb 10		2D Transforms Viewing, Clipping, Projecting	Lab 03
	Feb 12
5	Feb 17		Projection, Basic Lighting, Surface Normals
	Feb 19
6	Feb 24		3D Transforms Scene Graphs	Midterm Project
	Feb 26
7	Mar 03		Texture mapping
	Mar 05
	Mar 10	Spring Break
	Mar 12
8	Mar 17		depth-buffers, shading/advanced lighting, shadows
	Mar 19
9	Mar 24		Non-linear surfaces. Splines, Bezier surfaces
	Mar 26
10	Mar 31		Particle systems Procedural Methods
	Apr 02
11	Apr 07		Graphics and GIS Terrain rendering	Lab 05
	Apr 09
12	Apr 14		Data Visualization Isosurface extraction Marching Cubes	Lab 06
	Apr 16
13	Apr 21		Advanced Topics General Computation with GPUs?
	Apr 23
14	Apr 28		Wrapup
	Apr 30
	May 07	Final Exams Start
	May 16	Final Exams End

Grading

Grades will be weighted as follows:

50% Lab assignments

20% Midterm

20% Final

10% Class participation

Homework policy

Programming assignments will typically be assigned in class at the end of the week and will be due before midnight the following Thursday night. You are strongly encouraged to start early and ask questions early if you get stuck. You will submit you assignments electronically using the handin40 program. You may submit your assignment multiple times, but each submission overwrites the previous one and only the final submission will be graded. I am trying the Prof. Newhall late homework policy for this course. You (or you ant your partner) are allowed to use up to 3 late days this semester for turning in lab project assignments. However, at most 2 late days can be used on an individual assignment. Late "days" are measured in class periods after the due date. For example, if the original assignment is due on Thursday before 1am, then if you submit it after Thursday at 1am but before next Tuesday at 1am it is one day late.

Use late days wisely; once you have used up your late days, I reserve the right to not accept any further late assignments from you, and if I do accept further late assignments from you, you will receive a significant late penalty on them. I strongly recommend that you do not use any late days on the first few assignments.

Academic integrity

Academic honesty is required in all work you submit to be graded. You may not submit work done with (or by) someone else. You may not examine or use work done by others to complete your own work. You may discuss ideas problems with others on a general level and such discussions are encourages, but you must credit any collaborators or resources used in the completion of you assignment. "It is the opinion of the faculty that for an intentional first offense, failure in the course is normally appropriate. Suspension for a semester or deprivation of the degree in that year may also be appropriate when warranted by the seriousness of the offense." - Swarthmore College Bulletin (2008-2009, Section 7.1.2) Please see me if there are any questions about what is permissible.

External links

CMake (feedback welcome)
Tia's Language Notes
OpenGL 2.1 Documentation
Glut docs

CS40 — Graphics Spring 2009