This class is over. It was taught in a previous semester.
CSCI 420 Computer Graphics, Spring 2021
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Introduction and Purpose This course is an introduction to three-dimensional computer graphics. Students will learn both the theory of 3D computer graphics, and how to program it efficiently using OpenGL. The course primarily teaches the "modern" shader-based OpenGL (core profile), but also introduces the "classic" fixed-function OpenGL (compatibility profile). Topics include 2D and 3D transformations, Bézier and B-Spline curves for geometric modeling, interactive 3D graphics programming, computer animation and kinematics, and computer graphics rendering including ray tracing, shading and lighting. There will be an emphasis on the mathematical and geometric aspects of computer graphics. This course is regularly offered every semester (the instructor may vary from offering to offering, as may the content somewhat). |
Schedule | Prerequisites | Textbooks | Assignments | Grading | Resources and Supplementary Reading | Academic Integrity
| Date | Topic | Reading (Angel) | Reference | Assignments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Jan 18 2021 | No class (Martin Luther King Day) | |||
| Wed Jan 20 | What is Computer Graphics | Ch 1 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Jan 25 | Introduction to OpenGL | Ch 2 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Jan 27 | Graphics Pipeline | Ch 2 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Feb 1 | Color and Hidden Surface Removal | Ch 2 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Feb 3 | Transformations | Ch 3 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Feb 8 | Viewing and Projection | Ch 4 | PDF PDF-6X-BW Assign1-Tips | |
| Wed Feb 10 | Shaders | Ch 1, 2, App A | PDF PDF-6X-BW | Assignment 1 out | |
| Mon Feb 15 | No class (President's Day) | |||
| Wed Feb 17 | Shaders (continuation) | |
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| Mon Feb 22 | Hierarchical Modeling | Ch 8 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Feb 24 | Polygonal Meshes, Curves and Surfaces | Ch 10 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Mar 1 | Splines | Ch 10 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Mar 3 | Lighting and Shading | Ch 5 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Mar 8 | Catch-up day |
Assignment 1 due Assignment 2 out |
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| Wed Mar 10 | Texture Mapping | Ch 7 | PDF PDF-6X-BW Assign2-Tips | |
| Fri Mar 12 | Wellness day | |
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| Mon Mar 15 | Review for midterm | |||
| Wed Mar 17 | Midterm exam (in-class, on Zoom) | |||
| Fri Mar 19 | Extra reading: Rasterization | Ch 6 | PDF PDF-6X-BW |
Assignment 2 milestone due (Sat Mar 20) |
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| Mon Mar 22 | Ray Tracing | Ch 11 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Tue Mar 23 | Wellness day | |||
| Wed Mar 24 | Catch-up day | |
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| Mon Mar 29 | Ray Tracing: Geometric Queries | Ch 11 | PDF PDF-6X-BW Assign3-Tips | |
| Wed Mar 31 | Spatial Data Structures | Ch 8 | PDF PDF-6X-BW |
Assignment 2 due
Assignment 3 out |
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| Mon Apr 5 | Global Illumination | Ch 11 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Apr 7 | Wellness day | |
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| Mon Apr 12 | Keyframe Animation | Ch 9 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Wed Apr 14 | Image Processing | Ch 6, 7 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Fri Apr 16 | Extra reading: Physically Based Simulation | Ch 9 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon Apr 19 | Guest lecture: Dr. Doug Roble, Digital Domain | |||
| Wed Apr 21 | Non-Photorealistic Rendering | PDF PDF-6X-BW | Assignment 3 due | |
| Thu Apr 22 | Wellness day | |
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| Mon Apr 26 | Virtual Reality | PDF PDF-6X-BW | ||
| Wed Apr 28 | Visualization | Ch 11 | PDF PDF-6X-BW | |
| Mon May 10 | Final exam | 8a.m.-10a.m., online | |
Prerequisites
Textbooks (both strongly recommended)
Assignments
There will be three programming homework assignments, teaching students OpenGL and how to program 3D computer graphics. Please see the schedule for links to assignments and due dates. All assignments must be done individually.
Grading
Assignments: 17% each (51% total)
Mid-term exam: 19%
Final exam: 30%
All assignments must be completed to pass the course. Students must take the mid-term and final exams to pass the course. The assignments will have a small amount of extra credit.
Late policy:
Programming assignments should be turned in by midnight on the day they are due.
A total of three late days may be taken during the semester on programming assignments.
For example, you can use one late day on the second assignment, and two on the third assignment. All days are counted, including any weekends and holidays, as follows:
Less than 24 hours late = 1 late day, 24-48 hours late = 2 late days,
48-72 hours late = 3 late days, and so on.
The flexibility provided by the late days is intended to get you through the time where all your classes just happen to have assignments due on the same day.
Beyond the three late days, there will be a penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment / day.
Exceptions will be granted only under most dire circumstances and must be discussed with and approved by the instructor at least one week in advance.
Assignment and exam grading may be discussed within three weeks of them being returned to the students.
Forum
There is a forum on Piazza where students can ask questions.
Resources and Supplementary Readings
Academic integrity
All students are expected to maintain the utmost level of academic integrity. Do not copy any parts of any of the assignments from anyone. Do not look at other students' code, papers, assignments or exams. The university policies on academic conduct will be applied rigorously, and the USC Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards will be notified.
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
Academic Conduct
Plagiarism - presenting someone else's ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words, is a serious academic offense with serious consequences.
Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11,
Behavior Violating University Standards, https://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-and-appropriate-sanctions/.
Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable.
See additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct, http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/.
Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-public-safety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety whole USC community. Another member of the university community -- such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member -- can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center webpage sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and other resources.
Support Systems
A number of USC's schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more.
Students whose primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and
workshops specifically for international graduate students. The Office of Disability Services and Programs http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html
provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible,
USC Emergency Information http://emergency.usc.edu/will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued
by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Credits
I wish to thank Prof. Frank Pfenning and Prof. Jessica Hodgins from Carnegie Mellon University for generously providing materials from their computer graphics courses at CMU. This course has also been influenced by computer graphics courses at Cornell, MIT and UC Berkeley.