Computer Graphics, 7.5 ECTS

Current course website: [2010]

Course website for previous years: [2009] [2008] [2007] [2006] [2005]

Aim
The course aims to give a good knowledge of how computer graphics are implemented.

Learning outcome
- Understand the fundamental algorithms and processes used to create computer graphics in 3D-games and movies.
- Understand how to utilize the functionality of dedicated hardware support for graphics through programming interfaces
- Implement effective algorithms to generate 2-dimensional images from 3-dimensional models
- Implement algorithms to generate real-time renderings and photo realistic renderings

Content
The course provides knowledge of the principles used to create images through computer algorithms. The primary focus is on real-time rendering and photo realistic rendering.

The first part of the course covers real-time rendering, and techniques for e.g. illumination, special effects, shadows and reflections will be studied. Design of graphics hardware and speedup algorithms will also be treated.

The second part focuses on generating photo-realistic images and includes studying of ray tracing and global illumination. In addition, the corresponding mathematics will be revealed.

As part of the course, the students will make a smaller project, e.g. a 3D game or a rendering program for computing special effects or photo-realistic images.

Organization
The course is organized into lectures, one exercise, and one project that focuses on implementing 3D graphics algorithms using C, C++ or possibly Java.