2008-2 Computer Graphics 2

Computer Graphics II (4003-571-70 / 4005-762-70)

Instructor: Reynold Bailey
Email: rjb@cs.rit.edu
Phone: (585) 475-6181
Office hours:    Monday, Wednesday, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Room 70-3517
                          Friday, 10:00 AM - NOON, Room 70-3517

Class times:     Monday, Wednesday, 6:00 PM - 7:50 PM, Room 70-3455

Course URL: http://www.cs.rit.edu/~rjb/CG2_20082.htm

Prerequisite:     4003-570 / 4005-761 Introduction to Computer Graphics 1 OR
                          4002-502 Foundations of 3D Graphics Programming OR
                          4002-735 3D Graphics Programming

Description

This course will investigate the theory of computer image synthesis. Seminal papers in Computer Graphics will be used to describe the various components of the image synthesis pipeline and explain, just as in photography, how the path of light in a virtual scene can be simulated and used to create photorealistic imagery. The course will emphasize the theory behind various rendering tools and libraries available for image synthesis. The student will put theory into practice via programming assignments and a capstone project. Topics will include light and color, three-dimensional scene specification, camera models, surface materials and textures, rendering (local, ray tracing, radiosity), procedural shading and modeling, tone reproduction, and advanced rendering techniques.

Syllabi

Schedule

Week	Day	Date	Topic	Programming Assignments (Overview)	Announcements / Special Events
1	Mon	Dec. 1	Course Introduction Image Synthesis Pipeline
1	Wed	Dec. 3	Coordinate Systems, Transformations Scene Representation	A1: Website Setup / Setting the Scene
2	Mon	Dec. 8	Procedural Models Cameras
2	Wed	Dec. 10	Introduction to Light Ray Tracing Basics	A2: Camera	A1 due
3	Mon	Dec. 15	Sampling / Anti-aliasing Material Properties, BRDF
3	Wed	Dec. 17	Advanced Illumination Models Ray Tracing Optimization	A3: Basic Shading A4: Procedural Shading (early release)	A2 due Project proposals due Grad Report topic submissions due
Holiday Break: December 21, 2008 to January 2, 2009
4	Mon	Jan. 5	Texture Mapping
4	Wed	Jan. 7	Procedural Shading		A3 due Link to all current projects available Link to presentation schedule available
5	Mon	Jan. 12	Renderman Shading Language
5	Wed	Jan. 14	The Rendering Equation	Renderman Assignment	A4 due
6	Mon	Jan. 19	Recursive Ray Tracing Advanced Ray Tracing	A5: Reflection (early release)	Project mid quarter review due
6	Wed	Jan. 21	Radiosity Photon Mapping
7	Mon	Jan. 26	Radiometry, Advanced Camera Models	A6: Transmission (early release)
7	Wed	Jan. 28	Color		A5 due
8	Mon	Feb. 2	Tone Reproduction
8	Wed	Feb. 4	Advance Tone Reproduction	A7: Tone Reproduction	A6 due
9	Mon	Feb. 9	High Dynamic Range Imagery
9	Wed	Feb. 11	Student Presentations		A7 due Feb 13th
10	Mon	Feb. 16	Student Presentations		Renderman Assignment due Feb 16th
10	Wed	Feb. 18	Student Presentations		Final raytracer code due Feb 20th Renderman Competition
11	Mon	Feb. 23	Student Presentations		Grad Report final submission due Feb 23rd Renderman Competition winners
11	Wed	Feb. 25	Student Presentations		Final Project materials due Feb 25th

Requirements and Grading

In Computer Graphics, much like many other areas of Computer Science, the best way to learn is by doing. While the theory of image synthesis will be discussed in the lectures, the real learning will occur when students implement the algorithms and techniques. Thus, your grade in this course will rely heavily on the successful completion of the programming tasks.

There are four major deliverables for this course:

Programming Assignments -- The programming assignments will focus on two major areas: Ray Tracing and Procedural Shading. Starting with the 1st week, assignments will be given on a weekly basis. In most cases, the assignment will be due the following week. Each of the assignments will build upon the work done on the previous assignments. For details, please see the ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW PAGE.
Project -- A semester long project that illustrates in-depth knowledge of one aspect of the image synthesis pipeline as presented in the course. The choice of project should reflect the interests and motivations of each student in taking this course. In short, it is hoped that this course will provide each student with the opportunity to undertake a semester long task in computer graphics that he or she has been yearning to do.
Team projects are acceptable, however, the complexity of the project should reflect the number of members of the team and all team members are expected to contribute equally to the final project.

More information on class projects is available on the PROJECTS PAGE.

Readings -- In order to get used to reading the Computer Graphics literature, students will be required to read selected papers and submit short summaries. Students may choose the papers they wish to summarize from the READING LIST however only one paper per topic should be chosen. Paper summaries must be submitted prior to the lecture corresponding to the topic covered by the paper. One summary per week will be required for undergrads and one per lecture will be required for grads.
Survey / Report ( grad only ) -- Students taking the course for graduate credit will be required to submit a survey of the state of the art in a given subtopic or an in-depth report on a particular Computer Graphics technique not presented in lecture. The intention of this deliverable is to prepare the student for a possible project / thesis in the area of Graphics. Grad students should meet with the instructor in the first three weeks of the course to discuss possible topics that match the students interests and future study plans in the area of Computer Graphics. It is possible, and quite likely, that the topic for the report will be related to the final project. See the GRAD REPORT PAGE for more information.

The final grade will be determined using the following weights:

	Undergraduate	Graduate
Project	40%	30%
Assignments	40%	30%
Readings	20%	20%
Grad Report	N/A	20%

Policy on Late Submissions

It is extremely important to continue to make progress as the course progresses. Late deliverables will be penalized 10% for each day late. There is an exception to this rule: if you foresee any problems with meeting deliverable deadlines, please see the instructor well in advance (at least one week) of the deadline that might be missed to make alternate arrangements.

Computer Science Department Policy on Academic Dishonesty

As an institution of higher learning, RIT expects students to behave honestly and ethically at all times, especially when submitting work for evaluation in conjunction with any course or degree requirement. The Department of Computer Science encourages all students to become familiar with the RIT Honor Code (a general statement that sets standards of behavior for all members of the RIT community), which may be found online at:

RIT Honor Code

RIT's Academic Honesty Policy, can be found online at:

RIT Academic Honesty Policy

As RIT's Academic Honesty Policy points out, "Academic Dishonesty falls into three basic areas: cheating, duplicate submission, and plagiarism" While many occurrences represent clear violations, there are also many situations that can occur which are less clear cut. For every section of a course taught in the Department of Computer Science, the instructor will make known to students his or her expectations related to such matters as cheating, duplicate submission, or plagiarism.

Student behavior deemed by an instructor (in the Department of Computer Science) to violate RIT's Academic Honesty Policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior will be treated as follows:

For a first offense the student involved will receive, at a minimum, a grade of zero for the assigned work.

For a second offense, in the same or a different course, the student will receive, at a minimum, a failing grade for that course.

For a third offense, a student will be suspended and their case will be referred to judicial affairs.

Stronger penalties may be exacted in cases (1) or (2) above if, in the judgment of the instructor, the offense involves a flagrant violation of policy. Furthermore, both undergraduate and graduate students may incur additional, non-academic penalties. Graduate students in cases (1) or (2) above will lose financial aid, although the graduate program coordinator, at his or her discretion, may choose to override this penalty. The undergraduate program coordinator, at his or her discretion, may choose to impose academic actions in cases (1) or (2) above for undergraduate Computer Science majors.

According to section D5.0 (Grades) of the RIT Institute Policies and Procedures Manual, "A student may not withdraw from a course ... to avoid charges of academic dishonesty." The Department of Computer Science will enforce this policy. Finally, for each student involved in an incident of dishonest academic behavior, the course instructor will file an academic dishonesty report detailing the incident. If the student is a Computer Science major, a copy of the report will be placed in the student's departmental file; otherwise, a copy of the report will be forwarded to the student's department chair or program coordinator.