COMP3080 - Computer Graphics

Note: Whilst every effort is made to keep the syllabus and assessment records correct, the precise details must be checked with the lecturer(s).
Code
COMP3080 (Also taught as: COMPGV10)
Year
3
Prerequisites
Successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Computer Science programme
Term
1
Taught By
Jan Kautz (100%)
Aims
To introduce the fundamental concepts of 3D computer graphics and give the students all the knowledge needed for creating an image of a virtual world from first principles.
Learning Outcomes
The students will be able to define a virtual world and create images of it. They will know how to write a basic ray tracer, and use a graphics library such as OpenGl (or equivalent).

Content:

Introduction

The painter's method

Creating an image using ray tracing

Ray casting using a simple camera

Local illumination

Global illumination with recursive ray tracing

Specifying a general camera

World / image coordinates

Creation of an arbitrary camera

Ray tracing with an arbitrary camera

Constructing a scene

Polyhedra

Scene hierarchy

Transformations of objects / rays

Other modelling techniques

Acceleration Techniques

Bounding volumes

Space subdivision

From ray tracing to projecting polygons

Graphics pipeline

Transforming the polygons to image space

Sutherland Hodgman clipping

Weiler Atherton clipping

Clipping

Polygon rasterization/Visible surface determination

Scan conversion

Z-buffer

Interpolated shading

Texture mapping

OpenGL

Back face culling

Culling

Shadows

Shadow volumes

Shadow buffer

Shadow mapping

Soft shadows

The nature of light

Transport theory, Radiance, luminance, radiosity The radiance equation

Radiosity method Classical radiosity

Substructuring

Progressive refinement

Parametric surfaces Bezier Curves

B-Splines Curves

Method of Instruction:

Lecture presentations and lab classes.There are 2 courseworks, equally weighted.

Assessment:

The course has the following assessment components:

  • Written Examination (2.5 hours, 75%)
  • Coursework Section (2 pieces, 25%)

To pass this course, students must:

  • Obtain an overall pass mark of 40% for all sections combined

The examination rubric is:
Answer THREE questions out of FIVE. All questions carry equal marks

Resources:

Computer Graphics And Virtual Environments - From Realism to Real-Time. Mel Slater, Yiorgos Chrysanthou, Anthony Steed, ISBN

0201-62420-6, Addison-Wesley, 2002.

Lecture notes and coursework exercises.

 
This page was last modified on 24 August, 2012 and is maintained by Nicola Alexander