CSC 4356 — Interactive Computer Graphics

This course provides an introduction to 3D computer graphics, emphasizing real-time graphics programming using WebGL and JavaScript programming language. Topics include an introduction to JavaScript, the OpenGL ES shading language, the mathematics of 3D graphics, transformation, texturing, lighting, scene management, and interaction. Topics in software engineering, including project management and source code control, are alse covered.

Students may expect to gain experience developing interactive 3D content running across Windows, Linux, or OSX in a web browser on their PC, laptop, or mobile device. No prior experience with 3D graphics is required.

This 3 credit hour course will require 6–8 hours of work per week outside of class completing programming projects and readings.

Time & Place

10:30am–11:50am
Tuesday and Thursday
114 Audubon Hall

Instructor

Dr. Robert Kooima
Division of Computer Science & Engineering
Louisiana State University
kooima@csc.lsu.edu

Office hours: 1pm–3pm Tuesdays
2016 Digital Media Center

Teaching Assistant

Vivian Ho
whe1@lsu.edu

Office hours: 1pm–2pm Fridays
164 Coates Hall

Resources

• Notes

  The full course notes are hosted here.

• Browser

  There are still incompatibilities among the major browsers that make portable software development challenging. To minimize the impact of this on the content of this course, everyone uses the same browser.

  • Install Chrome. Chrome runs under all major operating systems, so you can use your favorite device regardless of OS.
  • Chromes's built-in Developer Tools will be especially useful.

• JavaScript

  JavaScript is the native language of the web browser.

  • The Mozilla Developer Network maintains a complete set of JavaScript tutorials and references.

• WebGL

  WebGL is the JavaScript API used to communicate with and control the GPU.

  • The Khronos Group maintains the WebGL specification and reference.
  • The OpenGL ES Shading Language is used to program the GPU.
  • Google maintains a list of WebGL demos if you'd like some inspiration.
  • We'll be taking advantage of a few basic WebGL utilities provided by Khronos, the GL standardization body:
    • webgl-utils.js
    • webgl-debug.js
    • cuon-utils.js
    • cuon-matrix.js

• HTML & CSS

  While not the focus of the course, we'll make some use of HTML and CSS, the languages that define the structure and appearance of web content.

  • The Mozilla Developer Network maintains documentation and tutorials on both HTML and CSS.
  • If you seek further references, the W3 Consortium hosts a valuable wiki.
  • There is an overwhelming quantity of bad HTML and CSS advice on the internet. Remain skeptical while Googling.

• Text Editor

  Choose a decent programmer's editor. Make sure it has syntax highlighting for JavaScript and HTML. There are many excellent free code editors for all OSs, several of which run cross-platform.

  • Many Windows users like Notepad++.
  • I use Sublime Text, but it's not free.
  • Vim and Emacs have remained popular for decades, and for good reason.
  • Do not use Notepad or Wordpad.

• Tools

  • jsobj is a tool that converts 3D models from OBJ format to JSON.

Assignments & Grading

Assignments include six individual programming projects and one final project.

• All programming projects will be submitted via your account on classes.csc.lsu.edu.
• The submission deadline falls at 5:00pm on the due date.
• Evaluation and grading is performed using a freshly-updated installation of Chrome.

Assignment Schedule

Assignment	Due Date	Value
Programming Project 1	Tuesday Sept. 6	12 points
Programming Project 2	Tuesday Sept. 20	12 points
Programming Project 3	Tuesday Oct. 4	12 points
Programming Project 4	Tuesday Oct. 18	12 points
Programming Project 5	Tuesday Nov. 1	12 points
Programming Project 6	Tuesday Nov. 15	12 points
Final Project	Friday Dec. 9	28 points
Course Total		100 points

Final Course Grade

Total	Grade
> 96.6 points	A+
≥ 93.3 points	A
≥ 90.0 points	A−
≥ 86.6 points	B+
≥ 83.3 points	B
≥ 80.0 points	B−
≥ 76.6 points	C+
≥ 73.3 points	C
≥ 70.0 points	C−
≥ 66.6 points	D+
≥ 63.3 points	D
≥ 60.0 points	D−
< 60.0 points	F

Calendar Fall 2015