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MV-4470 Image Synthesis (3-2) Syllabus

September 28, 1997

MV-4470 Image Synthesis (3-2). This course covers advanced topics in computer image generation. The focus of the course is quality and realism in computer image synthesis. Planned topics include illumination, shading, transparency, antialiasing, shadows, ray-tracing, texturing and radiosity. Prerequisite: MV-4202 and the consent of the instructor.

Required Texts

Foley, van Dam, Feiner & Hughes Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-12110-7.

Recommended Texts

Papers handed out by the Professor...

Prerequisites

CS-4202 - must know the material from CS-4202 well. CS-4470 is the second course in graphics and its material follows directly from that covered in CS-4202.

Academic Objectives

An understanding of the key issues of quality and realism in computer image synthesis.

An understanding of the principles of lighting & shading for computer generated images.

An understanding of the use of texture in computer generated images.

Course Content

a. Lighting and Shading Models

-- How intensity calculations can be modeled.

-- Techniques for applying calculated intensities to surfaces.

b. Ray Tracing

c. Real-Time Lighting and Shading

-- Material characteristics

-- Individual Lights

-- Lighting Models

d. Texturing for Computer Generated Images

-- Texture mapping

-- Environment mapping

e. Shadows

-- Shadows as surface patterns

-- Fake shadows

f. The Use of the a-Buffer

-- Blending

-- Transparency

g. Anti-aliasing

-- Accumulation as an anti-aliasing technique

-- Motion Blur & Depth of Field Simulation

ESRs Served:

2.a, 3.b, 3e, 6.a, and 6.b.

Laboratory and Course Organization

This course is designed to provide students with a good grounding in computer image synthesis. Each student will produce a working, programmed project demonstrating their knowledge of image synthesis. Continuation and enhancement of the CS-4202 project is encouraged. The project shall contain lighting, shading, texturing, shadows and other elements presented in the course. Projects shall be approved by short proposal to the instructor.

Faculty Contact for Information:

Michael J. Zyda (CS/Zk, zyda@siggraph.org)

Course Notes

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