Computer Science, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth University of Wales

C321(h)* - Interactive Computer Graphics

Brief Description

Aims, Objectives, Syllabus, Booklist

Further Details

Number of lectures

24

Number of seminars/tutorials

0

Number of practicals

6 x 1 hour

Coordinator

Dr. Fred Long

Other staff involved

Not yet known

Pre-requisites

C210

Co-requisites

CS23710 (or C237(h) in previous years) or a basic knowledge of the C language

Incompatibilities

None

Assessment

Assessed coursework - 20%
Written exam - 80%

Timing

This half module is offered only in Term 2

• the underlying mathematics of 2- and 3-dimensional graphics display techniques;
• 3-dimensional geometric modelling systems;
• modelling standards;
• virtual reality environments.

• have an understanding of 2- and 3-dimensional computer graphics display techniques, and implications for effective use of graphics systems;
• have both a theoretical and a practical understanding of 3-dimensional geometric modelling systems;
• understand the principal graphics standards and in particular PHIGS (Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System) standard;
• have built and animated hierarchical graphics models using PHIGS;
• understand the variety of hardware and software technologies that underpin virtual reality systems, allowing natural control in three-dimensional interactive environments;
• have constructed and interacted with a virtual reality environment.

Graphics Systems Overview - 1 Lecture

Important definitions, major components and features of interactive graphics systems.

The Interactive Graphics Paradigm - 2 Lectures

Basic concepts: display space, viewports, windows, world coordinates, normalised device coordinates, and device coordinates.

Coordinate Transforms - 2 Lectures, 1 Practical

Trigonometry and matrix algebra. Basic 2-d and 3-d transformations, matrix representation and homogeneous coordinates. Composite transforms.

The 2-d Viewing Pipeline - 2 Lectures

2-d transformations from world coordinates to device coordinates. 2-d clipping.

3-d Display Systems - 3 Lectures

3-d viewing parameters. Perspective and parallel projection. 3D clipping.

Introduction to Geometric Modelling - 2 Lectures

Object models in 2-d and 3-d. Wireframe modelling.

Overview of the Major Graphics Standards - 2 Lectures

The need for standards; the main ISO graphics standards.

Programmers' Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (PHIGS) - 4 Lectures, 3 Practicals

PHIGS programming model, output primitives and attributes, model creation and editing, display, graphical input. Multiple views and animations. Constructing hierarchical models; viewing models; animating models.

Virtual Reality (VR) and its Applications. - 6 Lectures, 2 Practicals

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.

Students are likely to need ready access to the following

J. D. Foley, A. van Dam, S. K. Feiner, J. F. Hughes, and R. L. Phillips. Introduction to Computer Graphics. Addison-Wesley, 1993.

A. Watt. Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics. Addison-Wesley, 1989.

The following should be consulted for different approaches or for further information

T. L. J. Howard, W. T. Hewitt, R. J. Hubbold, and K. M. Wyrwas. A Practical Introduction to PHIGS and PHIGS PLUS. Addison-Wesley, 1991.

Version 2.2

Nigel Hardy Departmental Advisor