Instructor: Prof. William J. Taffe
Office: Memorial 205
Office Hours:  See my home page
Class Meetings:  M,W,F 9:05-9:55

Textbooks:Computer Graphics using OpenGL (2nd Edition) by F.S. Hill, Jr., Prentice Hall, 2001

  I chose it for several reasons.  It:

1. has a good selection and coverage of the fundamental topics of Computer Graphics
2. gets to 3D and "modern graphics topics" within a one-semester course
3. it is based on the OpenGL API (Application Programmers Interface)
4. includes good homework problems and programming projects
5. reads quite well

Role of the Instructor: This course will be taught as a seminar.  Together, we will read the text, solve homework problems, and do programming projects.  Although I will lecture on some topics, I won't try to "tell you everything you have to know." I'll highlight a few points, show some slides, lead discussions on the textbook material, coach you on homework problem presentations, make suggestions on programming methodology, etc.   We have an excellent textbook full of information, and it is your responsibility to read and study it. We will use class time for discussing  the text, doing problems which illustrate significant points, and discussing the programming projects.

OpenGL:   OpenGL is the open standard of the graphics community. It is inherently 3D and allows the user to produce interesting displays rather quickly.  It is also "open" meaning it is not owned by anyone but rather is available to all.  It can be downloaded free.  We will also be using the Microsoft compiler Visual C++ but we will compiling to a "console" model not to a windows model letting OpenGL control the screen.  We are using Microsoft since the combination of WindowsXP and MS Visual C++ allows and easy linkage to OpenGL. PSU has a site license that allows all students and faculty to obtain a copy of Visual Studio at no additional cost.

Grading:

• Exams: 55%  There will be three chapter exams. The third exam will be on the last day of classes.
• Programming Assignments:  30%  Throughout the semester, a series of small programming tasks will be assigned.  You'll be graded on each.
• Programming Project:  15%  After spring break, you will choose a major programming project.  I'll be checking on your progress throughout the last 7 weeks, and you will present the project to the entire class during the period for the "final exam".  Your grade will be based both on the quality of the software you produce and on your presentation.

Discussion forums:  There are a number of discussion forums used by the opengl community.  I encourage you to join, read and (when appropriate) contribute to these groups.  You can find them at: http://www.opengl.org/discussion_boards/cgi_directory/Ultimate.cgi

Useful Links

   &  

• The OpenGL Page ... www.opengl.org
• OpenGL Programmers Guide
• Open GL Online Reference
• OpenGL tutorial
• OpenGL GLUT info
• Nate Robins GLUT page ... and latest GLUT download
• Micro User Interface (MUI) manual
• GLUI Source
• Textbook Website with various materials

    Fifteen percent of your grade is based on the final programming project which should be started immediately after spring break and presented to the class on the date of the "final examination".   A typical project will consist of both an extensive program and a (short) report.

    In order that we agree on what comprises a reasonable project, I would like each of you to hand in a one page proposal (150-200 words) on March 29(first class after Spring Break). I will review each proposal and approve, disapprove or suggest modifications. My two concerns will be the amount of effort a given project will require (either too much or too little would be unacceptable) and that the project involve appropriate computer graphics. In general, programming projects should include well-designed user interaction, a non-trivial world model rendered in 3D, effective use of features such as lighting, material properties, texture mapping, etc.

    Reading the text may suggest some possible projects.  I especially want to encourage projects which use OpenGL since you will all have experience with its basics and this would be an excellent opportunity to solidify that knowledge. It should be the choice for most interactive projects.  However, it is possible to successfully propose a project that does not involve OpenGL.

    If you have special hardware or software that is available to you because of some outside source (for example: at your job) explain this in your proposal describing how you will demonstrate your project to the class.

Some possible projects and areas include:

1.    CAD/painting: projects under this heading can range from designing a paint package to a three dimensional design system for a particular application areas such as robotics, architecture, or circuit layout

2.    OpenGL++: One of the disadvantages of OpenGL is that it is not object oriented. A project in this area could implement a class library that supports geometric types such as points and vectors directly. The library would be built on top of OpenGL. It would include the library and complete documentation.

3.    Ray tracers: ray tracing provides an alternate model for building three dimensional graphics. A simple ray tracer that supports only a few object types and simple shading is not too difficult to construct (see chapter 14).  Alternatively, an extensive project might be done using the shareware ray tracer, POV Ray.

4.    Algorithms: You can investigate a particular class of algorithms such as hidden line algorithms and examine them for efficiency and functionality.

5.    Data Visualization: build data visualization tools for examining 3D surfaces or objects.  Or, build a visualization tool for constructing good 3D maps from surface contour information.

6.    Advanced rendering: Many possibilities here:  for ex. texture mapping, compositing, and use of the accumulation buffer.

7.     VRML: Teach yourself VRML and construct some realistic models using this scripting language.

8.     OpenGL on UNIX.  Install OpenGL and GLUT on UNIX.   Test a variety of programs in this environment;  examine its performance versus the Windows XP version.

9.     Java binding:  Investigate the Java binding for OpenGL.  Rewrite several of the textbook's examples in Java/OpenGL.

The above list is not exclusive. You can meet with me to suggest projects in other areas.

Title              Interactive computer graphics : a top-down approach with OpenGL
Author          Angel, Edward
Publisher     Addison-Wesley, 1997
LC#              T385 .A514 1997

Title              OpenGL programming for Windows 95 and Windows NT / Ron Fosner
Author          Fosner, Ron
Publisher     Addison-Wesley Developers Press, c1997
LC#              T385 .F663 1997
 

Title              OpenGL programming guide : the official reference guide for OpenGL, release 1.1
Author          Mason Woo, Jackie Neider, Tom Davis
Publisher     Addison Wesley , 1997
LC#              T385 .N435 1997

Title              OpenGL reference manual : the official reference document to OpenGL, version 1.1
Author          OpenGL Architecture Review Board ; Renate Kempf and Chris Frazier, editors
Publisher     Addison-Wesley Developers Press, 1996
LC#              T385 .O642 1996
 

Title             OpenGL superbible : the complete guide to OpenGL programming for Windows NT and Windows 95
Author          Wright, Richard S., 1965-
Publisher     Waite Group Press, c1996
LC#              T385 .W73 1996
 

Title              OpenGL programming for the X Window System
Author          Kilgard, Mark J
Publisher     Addison-Wesley Developers Press, c1996
LC#              T385 .K487 1996