Ray Tracer Checkpoint 1: Setting the Scene

Assigned: March 11, 2009

Due: March 18, 2009

See assignments overview page for general information.

Introduction

The ray tracer programming assignment is divided into seven checkpoints:

1. Setting the scene
2. Camera modeling
3. Basic shading
4. Procedural shading
5. Recursive ray tracing - reflection
6. Recursive ray tracing - transmission
7. Tone reproduction

This is checkpoint #1: "Setting the scene".

The ultimate goal of these assignments is to reproduce the classic ray traced image from Turner Whitted's 1980 paper:

Important Elements

This scene has three visible objects:

• Two spheres
• The floor

In addition, there are two objects which are not directly visible:

• A point light source
• A camera

Objective

Checkpoint #1 is a relatively simple, "getting started" assignment. We will reduce the complexity of the scene to the three simple objects described above. The goals of this assignment are:

• Obtain locations/orientations/attributes of objects in the scene
• Obtain position/parameters of the light source
• Obtain position/parameters of the camera

You may use the API/renderer of your choice on this assignment; however, note that if you select an "advanced" rendering package, you may not be able to re-use your work on this assignment in subsequent assignments.

What to Submit

The deliverables for this assignment are as follows:

• Set up a web site for your assignment
• Place an image on the web site showing the results of your work (your rendering, or a screenshot of your rendering, etc.)
• Place a description of the parameters of your scene on your web site:
  • The size and location of the two spheres
  • The size and location of the floor
  • The location and parameters of your light source
  • The location and "lookat" of your camera

To submit your solution, you must send me email containing the following information:

• Name(s) of the team members (you may work in teams of two on these assignments)
• The URL for your web page

This email must reach me before midnight on March 18, 2009.

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.

Notes

Don't worry about shading the objects for this assignment. Make each object a solid color (ignore the reflection/transparency of the objects, and don't worry about the checkerboard pattern on the floor yet.)

The ultimate goal of this assignment is to obtain the parameters and positions described earlier. Save these - you'll need them for the remaining checkpoints.