CMSC 427: COMPUTER GRAPHICS

Catalog Description

This course provides an introduction to the principles of computer graphics. This includes an introduction to graphics displays and systems, introduction to the mathematics of affine and projective transformations, perspective, curve and surface modeling, algorithms for hidden-surface removal, color models, methods for modeling illumination, shading, and reflection.

Prerequisites

MATH 240 and CMSC 420.

Topics

  1. Introduction\\ Introduction to computer graphics, graphics devices and systems.
  2. Basic raster graphics\\ Line and curve generation, windowing and viewport transformations, clipping, aliasing.
  3. Geometric Programming\\ Review of linear algebra, affine geometry, homogeneous coordinates, and coordinate transformations.
  4. Perspective\\ Basics of projective geometry, perspective transformations, 3-d clipping.
  5. Geometric modeling: Constructive solid geometry, parametric equations, Bezier and B-spline curves and surfaces.
  6. Hidden surface removal: Back-face removal, depth-buffer method, depth-sorting algorithm, Warnock's algorithm, ray-tracing.
  7. Color, Illumination, and Realism\\ Color models, illumination, shading, reflection, ray-tracing, radiosity.
  8. Other topics\\ Texture and bump mapping, fractals (fractal dimension, iterated function systems, using fractals to model natural phenomena).

Course Text

J.D. Foley, A. van Dam, S.K. Feiner, and J.F. Hughes, Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition, Addison Wesley, 1990.

Typical Grading and Workload