Computer Graphics 1: Introduction
Course Website: [Link]
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Contents
Computer Graphics Whats It All About? Application Areas Course Outline Lectures & Labs Exams & CA Books Miscellanea Questions?
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What Is Computer Graphics?
The term computer graphics was coined in 1960 by William Fetter to describe new design methods he was pursuing at Boeing Fetter created a series of widely reproduced images on a pen plotter exploring cockpit design, using a 3D model of a human body
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What Is Computer Graphics? (cont)
Perhaps the best way to define computer graphics is to find out what it is not. It is not a machine. It is not a computer, nor a group of computer programs. It is not the know-how of a graphic designer, a programmer, a writer, a motion picture specialist, or a reproduction specialist. Computer graphics is all these a consciously managed and documented technology directed toward communicating information accurately and descriptively. Computer Graphics, by William A. Fetter, 1966
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Interactive Computer Graphics
Takes things a step further by allowing users rapid visual feedback from their actions Typically we have the following cycle:
INPUT PROCESSING DISPLAY/ OUTPUT
Mouse Tablet and stylus Force feedback device Scanner Live video streams
Screen Paper-based printer Video recorder Projector VR/AR headset
This area is the focus of this course
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Interactive Computer Graphics (cont)
Sketchpad, developed in the 1960s, was the first interactive computer graphics application Using a light pen, key pad and monitor it allowed users create accurate design drawings
Dr. Ivan E. Sutherland developed Sketchpad as part of his PhD work. He went on to be a hugely influential computer scientist working in areas as diverse as graphics, circuit design, robotics and computer hardware
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So?
If we add interactivity, Fetters definition pretty much still holds So much of modern computing involves some graphical aspect that computer graphics is now ubiquitous So lets say computer graphics encompasses anything achieved visually on computers
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Some Applications Of Computer Graphics
Some of the application areas which make heavy use of computer graphics are:
Computer aided design Scientific visualisation Films Games Virtual/Augmented Reality
NOTE: There are lots more and there is huge overlap between these different areas
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Computer Aided Design
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Scientific Visualisation
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Films
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Games
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Virtual/Augmented Reality
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Course Outline
The course will follow this broad-strokes outline:
Maths Preliminaries Viewing in 2D Raster Graphics Viewing in 3D 3D Object Modelling Illumination and Surface Rendering Animation
Practical Work in OpenGL
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Lectures & Labs
Lectures:
Thursday 13:00 14:00 Friday 15:00 16:00
Labs:
Wednesday 10:00 11:00 Wednesday 17:00 18:00
ATTEND THE LABS!!!
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Exams & CA
Exams:
Part A of end of year exam will cover all theoretical material
CA:
Marks awarded for completing each lab exercise Two significant graphics projects using OpenGL
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Books
Computer Graphics with OpenGL, D. Hearn & M. P. Baker, Prentice Hall, 2003 Most of the course follows this book
Introduction to Computer Graphics, J.D. Foley, A. van Dam, S.K. Feiner, J.F. Hughes & R.L. Phillips, Addison Wesley, 1997
Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice, J.D. Foley, A. van Dam, S.K. Feiner & J.F. Hughes, Addison Wesley, 1995 Great for really in-depth theory
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Miscellanea
Me:
Dr. Brian Mac Namee [Link]@[Link] [Link]/bmacnamee k026A
Course web site is as above and on WebCT
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Questions
Any Questions?