CS475: Computer Graphics

Credits: 6

Instructor: Parag Chaudhuri

This is the first course in computer graphics. The course helps the student learn how to draw images and make animations on the computer. The course is pretty straight forward with a lot of coding assignments and a project. The assignments are expected to be coded up in C++ using the OpenGL library.

Recommended book: Fundamentals of Computer Graphics (Third Edition), Peter Shirley, Steve Marschner and others, A K Peters/CRC Press (2009)

Some level of comfort in C++ and basic linear algebra is recommended.

Assignments to be done in teams of at most 2.

Topics covered:

• How are images rendered on the screen, rasterization, clipping
• OpenGL and its versions: different stages in rendering an image
• 2D transformations, 3D transformations, viewing transformations
• Modelling-viewing pipeline
• Visibility of objects
• Hierarchical modelling
• Shading and texture mapping
• Cubic splines, bezier splines, B-splines
• Animation and interpolating for animation
• Ray tracing

Grading policy:

• 2 Quizzes (5% x 2)
• Midsem (10%)
• Endsem (20%)
• Coding assignments + Project, 4 in total (55%)
• Class participation (5%)

The theoretical part of the course introduces the students to various algorithms and mathematical background needed for drawing images on the computer. The theoretical part of the course does not need much effort understanding and ample presence in class should suffice. Most of the time is taken up the programming assignments, but the instructor gives sufficient amount of time for finishing them. The assignments are not difficult but require a good understanding of the course contents. The exams are easy and form a subset of the concepts covered in class and the programming assignments.

The instructor is interactive and presents the subject in an understandable manner. The lectures are supplemented by videos and demonstrations. Tutorials for the coding assignments are also provided. Attendance was not strictly compulsory, but some minimum presence was required (~50%). Being present in the class helps boost the class participation points.

Anyone with any interest in graphics would appreciate this course.