Module Identifier CS32110  
Module Title INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Dr Mark Ratcliffe  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite MA28010 , CS31010 or CS21120  
Course delivery Lecture   22 lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   (Up to) 3 workshop sessions  
  Practical   2 Hours (Up to) 2 x 1 hr sessions  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours   100%  
  Supplementary examination   Will take the same form, under the terms of the Department's policy.    

General description
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and practice of interactive computer graphics, with an emphasis on: computational models and display of objects; and virtual reality environments.

Aims
This module intends to introduce to students the fundamental concepts of interactive computer graphics including:

Learning outcomes
The course concentrates on 3-dimensional wireframe display techniques, and on techniques for displaying solid objects. Geometric transformations and animation are also studied. This module involves practical graphics programming and students will need a basic knowledge of the Java programming language. On successful completion of this module students should:

Syllabus
1. Graphics Systems Overview - 1 Lecture
Important definitions, major components and features of interactive graphics systems.

2. The Interactive Graphics Paradigm - 2 Lectures
Basic concepts: display space, viewports, windows, world coordinates, normalised device coordinates, and device coordinates.

3. Coordinate Transforms - 2 Lectures, 1 Workshop
Trigonometry and matrix algebra. Basic 2-d and 3-d transformations, matrix representation and homogeneous coordinates. Composite transforms.

4. The 2-d Viewing Pipeline - 2 Lectures
2-d transformations from world coordinates to device coordinates. 2-d clipping.

5. 3-d Display ystems - 3 Lectures
3-d viewing parameters. Perspective and parallel projection. 3D clipping.

6. Introduction to Geometric Modelling - 2 Lectures
Object models in 2-d and 3-d. Wireframe modelling.

7. Solid Modelling and Visible Surface Determination - 3 Lectures, 1 Workshop

8. Ray tracing and Colour in Computer Graphics - 2 Lectures

9. OpenGL - 3 Lectures, 2 Practicals
OpenGL programming model, output primitives and attributes, model creation and editing, display, graphical input. Multiple views and animations. Constructing hierarchical models; viewing models; animating models.

10. Virtual Reality (VR) and its Applications. - 2 Lectures
This section of the course will survey the theory and development of virtual reality systems. These techniques encompass a variety of hardware and software technologies and allow natural control in three-dimensional interactive environments. Lectures will cover interface technology for VR, human factors of VR systems, performance issues of VR systems, architectures, applications and case studies. Building virtual worlds; interacting with virtual worlds.

Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
J. D. Foley, A. van Dam, S. K. Feiner, J. F. Hughes, and R. L. Phillips. (1993) Introduction to Computer Graphics. Addison-Wesley
A. Watt. (1989) Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics. Addison-Wesley