CS 284A. Foundations of Computer Graphics
Catalog Description: Techniques of modeling objects for the purpose of computer rendering: boundary representations, constructive solids geometry, hierarchical scene descriptions. Mathematical techniques for curve and surface representation. Basic elements of a computer graphics rendering pipeline; architecture of modern graphics display devices. Geometrical transformations such as rotation, scaling, translation, and their matrix representations. Homogeneous coordinates, projective and perspective transformations.
Units: 4
Prerequisites: COMPSCI 61B or COMPSCI 61BL; programming skills in C, C++, or Java; linear algebra and calculus; or consent of instructor.
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Computer Science 284A after taking 184.
Formats:
Spring: 3.0 hours of lecture and 1.0 hours of discussion per week
Fall: 3.0 hours of lecture and 1.0 hours of discussion per week
Grading basis: letter
Final exam status: Written final exam conducted during the scheduled final exam period
Class Schedule (Spring 2025):
CS 184/284A – TuTh 15:30-16:59, Birge 50 –
Ren Ng
Department Notes:
Course objectives:
- An understanding of the physical and geometrical principles used in computer graphics
- An understanding of rendering algorithms, and the relationship between illumination models and the algorithms used to render them
- An understanding of the basic techniques used to model three dimensional objects, both as surfaces and as volumes
- An acquaintance with the principles of interaction and of user interfaces
Topics covered:
- Polygon scan conversion (rasterization)
- 2D and 3D Geometric and Modeling Transformations
- Rotation about an arbitrary axis, quaternions, exponential maps
- Homogeneous coordinates and projective geometry
- Planar geometric parallel and perspective projections
- 2D and 3D viewing transformations
- Perspective Pipeline
- Line and Polygon clipping algorithms
- Visible surface determination
- Illumination (Reflectance) models and gamma correction
- Smooth shading methods and mach band artifacts
- Ray tracing: reflection/refraction/transparency/shadows
- Radiosity, photon mapping, and global illumination
- Texture mapping
- Environment mapping and bump mapping
- Spline curve and surface representations
- Animation
- Image-based and non-photorealistic rendering
Related Areas: