Computer Graphics

Catalog description

This course covers the fundamental techniques behind image manipulation and 3D graphics. It begins by building a mathematical model of the interaction of light with surfaces, lenses, and an imager. The student then studies the data structures and processor architectures that allow for efficiently evaluating that physical model. The student completes a series of programming assignments using various tools and technologies discussed in class for both photorealistic image creation and real-time 3D rendering. These assignments culminate in a multi-week final project. Topics covered in the course may include projective geometry, ray tracing, bidirectional surface scattering functions, binary space partition trees, matting and compositing, shadow maps, cache management, and parallel processing of GPUs.