605.767.8VL - Applied Computer Graphics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted on the Course Outline page. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Spatial Data Structures
• Intersection Methods
• Ray Tracing
• Radiosity
• Color Theory and Color Spaces
• Advanced Reflection Models
• Advanced Texture Methods
• Advanced Culling Techniques
• Parametric Curves and Surfaces
• Subdivision Surfaces
• Particle Systems
• Real-time Shadows
• Optimization Techniques

Course Goals

This course is heavily weighted towards hands-on implementation of the concepts developed in class. There will be a good deal of independent project work. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the various topics by completing two programming assignments with specific requirements and a final project exploring a topic of their choice.

Programming assignments will use C++, OpenGL, and SDL in a Windows PC, MacOS, or Linux environment.  Students will submit their projects for grading along with descriptions and screenshots of the rendered images.

Textbooks

Real-Time Rendering, Fourth Edition by Akenine-Möller, Haines et al.
ISBN: 9781138627000

Other Materials & Online Resources

(good resources, not required)

• An Introduction to Ray Tracing by Andrew Glassner
• Interactive Computer Graphics: A Top-Down Approach Using OpenGL, Sixth Edition by Edward Angel
• OpenGL Programming Guide: The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL, Version 4.3, 8th Edition by Shreiner et al.
• OpenGL Shading Language, 3rd Edition by Randi Rost
• Computer Graphics Using OpenGL, 3rd Edition by F. S. Hill and Stephen M. Kelley
• 3D Computer Graphics, 3rd Edition by Alan Watt
• Computer Graphics, Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition by John Hughes, et al.
• 3D Game Engine Design by David Eberly

Required Software

Programming assignments are integral to success in this course.  All assignments must be completed on a common platform.  I support MacOS, Ubuntu Linux, and MS Windows.  A C++ build system is required; I recommend a standard, free IDE (XCode for MacOS, Visual Studio Community Edition for MS Windows, CMake, etc.) and I will do my best to support the development environment of your choice.

Additionally, you will need an OpenGL library, which is standard on most platforms.  We will work together during the first week of the course to make sure every participant configures an adequate development environment.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 1-3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading on web sites, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), and completing the programming assignments (approximately 3–7 hours per week).
This course will consist of two programming assignments and a final project:

1. Ray Tracing Assignment (30% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • Students create a recursive ray tracing program along with their own scene with material definitions, lighting environment, object placement, etc.
     
   • Students implement a number of required features and a few optional features
     
   • Grades depend on the correctness of the implementation and final image
     
   • Due at the end of Module 4
2. Scene Optimization Assignment (30% of the Final Grade Calculations
   • Students extend the simple scene graph representation from 605.667 Computer Graphics to support hierarchical bounding volumes, view frustum culling, level of detail selection, and a few other features
     
   • Students define a scene of their choice with a set of required features
     
   • The primary focus is on optimizing the scene graph traversal to highlight optimization techniques
   • Grades depend on the correctness of the implementation and final image
   • Due at the end of Module 8
3. Final Project (40% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • Students complete an independent project of their choosing
     • All projects must be approved by the professor
   • Students will present their projects on the final day of class

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I will post grades within one week after assignment due dates.

I generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work.
Point grades are assigned to each programming assignment, the exam, and other assignments. The point totals add up to 100 with the following, final letter grades determined as follows:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.