Interactive Graphics Systems (SGI)

This subject aims primarily to introduce students to the fundamentals of modelling objects and scenes. Particular attention is paid to triangular meshes, as they are the most commonly used tool in interactive graphics systems. Complementary goals are that students understand the applications and principles behind virtual reality and computer animation.

Knowledges

1. Learn the main geometric and scene models used in an interactive graphic system. Learn the application of such models.
2. Learn about: the main techniques for modelling solids; the complexity of such techniques; the main related algorithms.
3. Learn the main algorithms related to the management and handling of triangle meshes: compression, simplification, creation.
4. Learn the main VR concepts and applications, interaction devices techniques and immersive VR and techniques for speeding up interactive visualisations.
5. Learn the basic principles of computer animation, and its applications.
6. Learn the main textual coding formats for scenes and their use in a conventional browser.

Abilities

1. Design and programming of simple browsing applications for obtaining photo-realistic images using graphic libraries.
2. Programming interactive graphic applications in different fields such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design), simple animations, and computer games.

Competences

1. Ability to work in a group developing apps requiring VR (Virtual Reality) techniques for evaluation of scene design, application, and programming.
2. Ability to evaluate the features of VR-dedicated hardware.
3. Ability to work in a group designing video games and animations (this complements the "advanced visualisation" course).
4. Ability to design systems, components and processes meeting certain needs, using the most appropriate methods, techniques and tools in each case.
5. Initiative: Resolution, knowing how to take decisions and how to act in order to solve a problem.
6. Adaptability: Knowing how to deal with new situations arising from organisational and/or technological changes.
7. Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
8. Ability to relate and structure information from various sources and thus integrate ideas and knowledge.
9. Ability to draw up a well-structured technical document.
10. Intellectual curiosity and openness.

The teaching methodology will be based based on weekly theory classes (3 hours) and lab classes (2 hours). Course concepts will be introduced in the theory classes. Exercises will be used to consolidate these concepts, which will be further developed in the lab sessions.







The lab sessions basically involve the teacher presenting the guidelines for the practical work (split by sessions) and the concepts bearing on the software to be used. Students will complete the design and programming of the various applications bearing on the course contents. For this purpose, students will be provided with partially-programmed skeleton applications. The guidelines will be published beforehand. Three exercises are planned: creation of objects by sweeping polygons, representation of objects with different levels of detail, interactive stereoscopic visualisation a red-green anaglyph, and generation of a simple animation. The exercises will be carried out by pairs of students.

* The exam will comprise short questions and/or exercises in which students must demonstrate their mastery of the concepts taught during the course.







* The lab exam (Nota_lab) will comprise questions concerning both practical work and the software used.







These exams will be held on the dates indicated by faculty members.







A grade will also be awarded for practical work (Nota_pract). The grade will be based on continuous assessment of the course"s three practical assignments. Submissions will be made through the course Web site. The three exercises are weighted equally in the calculation of the final grade. Students failing to submit an exercise will be awarded a nil grade for the work in question.







The course grade is based on the foregoing grades, according to the following formula:





Grade = 0,6 Nota_conceptes + 0,4 * Maxim ( Nota_pract, (Nota_lab + Nota_pract)/2. )

• Andújar, C., Brunet, P., Fairén, M., Navazo, I., Vinacua, A. Informàtica Gràfica. Un enfocament Multimèdia (Apunts de l'assignatura en CD)., CPET, 2002.
• Watt, A. 3D Computer Graphics. Third Edition, Addison-Wesley, 1999.
• Akenine-Möller, T. y Haines, E. Real-Time Rendering, A.K. Peters, 2002.

• Watt, A. y Policarpo, F. 3D Games. Real-time Rendering and Software Technology., Addison-Wesley, 2001.
• Luebke, D., Reddy, M., Cohen, J.D., Varshney, A., Watson, B., Huebner, R. Level of Detail for 3D Graphics, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2003.
• Watt, A. y Watt, M. Advance Animation and rendering Techniques. Theory and Practice., Addison-Eesley, 1992.
• Sherman, W. y Craig, A. Understanding Virtual Reality: Interface, Application and Design., Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2003.
• Hoffmann, Ch. M. Geometric & Solid Modeling. An Introduction., Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1989.

Compulsory course: Graphic Viewing and Interaction.

Students are recommended to take the optional GEOC to complement this one.