CISC 440: Computer Graphics

Catalog Description:
Computer graphics technology, two- and three-dimensional systems, graphics software systems, modeling and object hierarchy, and animation.

Current Texts:
Fundamentals of Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics
Watt, Alan
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company

Goals:
A student completing this course should have a good understanding of computer graphics technology and the principles behind 2- and 3-dimensional software systems. The student should be prepared to use existing hardware and software packages to develop new applications, or to pursue more advanced topics.

Content:

• Graphics hardware - vector and raster-scan CRT's, plotters, light-pens and tablets
• Basic Interactive Graphics - picture generation, event-driven processing, input, Siggraph CORE standard, ISO GKS standard, coordinate systems, lines and points, windows and viewports, text strings and segmentation
• Raster Algorithms and Software - Scan conversion, region filling, color and pattern mapping and polygon clipping, anti-aliasing
• Geometric Transformations - 2-D and 3-D translation, scaling, and rotation, matrix arithmetic and matrix composition
• Viewing in Three Dimensions - Parallel and perspective projections, specifying the 3-D view, and 3-D normalization
• Visual Realism - Hidden line and surface removal, shading models and shadows, color
• Modeling and Object Hierarchy - Object modeling, instance transformation, the current transformation matrix, hierarchies and attribute passing.

Required Background: This course is intended for senior level undergraduate and graduate students with above average programming skills, a working knowledge of data structures (CISC 220), a basic understanding of matrix algebra, trigonometry and geometry, and a serious interest in graphics.

Helpful Background: Any previous opportunity to see or use a computer graphics system would be beneficial.