Visualisation and Graphic Interaction (VIG)

This subject has two overall objectives:
-  For students to learn the architecture and the elements that back up interactive graphic systems, and the principles and algorithms behind them, and for students to be able to program interactive visualisations of three-dimensional scenes using APIs such as OpenGL.
-  For students to learn the design principles of graphic user interfaces (GUIs) and for them to be able to program them using specific software tools.

Knowledges

1. Knowledge of the elements making up an interactive graphic system and the main models relating to it: camera model, geometric model, lighting model, and input-output devices.
2. The basic principles of home-computer interaction and for the design of user graphic interfaces, the key tools for developing such interfaces and interaction tasks.
3. The processes and algorithms for providing realistic basic visualisation of 3D objects: project visualisation process, z-buffer, empirical models for lighting and introducing 2D textures.
4. The architecture and functional analysis of APIs implementing the visualisation project. The design of applications using APIs.
5. Direct manipulation of objects. Interaction techniques. Selection mechanisms.

Abilities

1. Programming of graphic user interfaces using standard packages, following the specifications of a given application.
2. Ability to develop interactive 3D graphic visualisations based on triangle meshes and employing graphics libraries.

Competences

1. Ability to work in a group developing interactive graphic applications.
2. Ability to evaluate graphic interfaces in analyzing the features of a given graphic system, and to assess the features and performance of tools for designing interactive visualisations and graphic interfaces.
3. Initiative: Resolution, knowing how to take decisions and how to act in order to solve a problem.
4. Ability to design and carry out 3D visualisations and graphic interfaces, and to study their results.
5. Ability to relate and structure information from various sources and thus integrate ideas and knowledge.
6. Ability to work effectively in small groups to solve problems of middling difficulty.
7. Intellectual curiosity and openness.
8. Initiative: Resolution, knowing how to take decisions and how to act in order to solve a problem.
9. Ability to adapt: Knowing how to deal with new situations arising from organisational and/or technological changes.
10. Ability to draw up a well-structured technical document.

The teaching methodology will be based based on weekly theory classes (3 hours) and lab classes (2 hours).

Theory classes will introduce course concepts. Exercises will help consolidate these concepts and improve students' practical skills.

The lab classes have two aims: the introduction of specific programme tools (OpenGL, Qt, etc.) and the development of compulsory exercises. These exercises will be carried out individually and are a key part of the course.

The exercises basically involves developing programs for providing realistic interactive viewing of 3D scenes, and using the OpenGL graphic library for this purpose and Qt for the interface design.

The guidelines for each session will be published beforehand and explained at the beginning of each implementation stage. It is essential that students prepare for the lab classes by carrying out the individual analytical and design assignments set out in the guidelines. This preparatory work can be partially completed without the need for a computer.

There will be a written exam (T) that will comprise short questions and/or exercises in which students must demonstrate their mastery of the concepts taught during the course. The evaluation of practical work (P) will come from a short work on user interfaces (P0), two practical exams (P1 and P2), and the global evaluation of the practical work (Pr). The practical exams will consist on making several changes to the continuous work in order to evaluate how the student dominates and understand his own work, and will be distributed along the semester.

In case that the practical exams, for technical reasons, could not be executed in the lab, alternatively a written exam would be done about the practical work.

The course grade (F) is based on the foregoing grades (T and P), and in accordance with the following formula:

F = 0.6*T + (0.05 P0 + 0.25 (P1+P2)/2 + 0.1 Pr)

• Andújar, C., Brunet P., Fairén, M., Navazo, I., Vinacua, A. Informàtica Gràfica. Un enfocament multimèdia., CPET, 2002.
• Edward Angel Interactive computer graphics : a top-down approach with OpenGL, Addison-Wesley, 2006.
• Alan Watt 3D computer graphics, Addison-Wesley, 2000.
• Woo, M., Neider, J., Davis, T. OpenGL User Programming Guide, Version 1.4., Addison Wesley, 2003.
• Matthias Kalle Dalheimer Programming with Qt, O'Reilly, 2002.
• Steve Cunningham Computer Graphics: Programming in OpenGL for Visual Communication, Pearson/Prentice-Hall, 2007.
• Mike Bailey & Steve Cunningham Graphics Shaders: Theory and Practice, A.K.Peters, 2009.

• Wilbert O. Galitz The Essential guide to user interface design : an introduction to GUI design, principles and techniques, Wiley Computer Pub, 2002.
• Peter Shirley Fundamentals of computer graphics, AK Peters, 2002.
• James D. Foley ...[et al.] Computer graphics : principles and practice, Addison-Wesley, 1996.

Linear algebra concepts, in particular geometric transformations and the basic principles of matrix calculation.

High-level programming, knowledge of database structures and algorithm design, as well as knowledge of C++ and Linux are essential. Programming Projects Course.