COM 1370 Computer Graphics

Course Format
Course Coordinator
Textbooks and References

Prerequisites by Topic
Major Topics Covered in Course
Laboratory Projects

Course Description

Focuses on the characteristics and programming of graphics output devices.  Presents basic point and line drawing algorithms; 2-dimensional displays; clipping and windowing.  Surveys pictures; data structures and display file organization; interaction (graphical input and event driven programs).  Includes some drawing in 3-dimensions.

4 QH credit
Prerequisite: COM 1201, MTH 1301.

Course Information

Course is offered during the Winter and Summer quarters. CS majors are guaranteed a place in class.
 

Winter 2001

Summer 2001

Course Format

This is an elective course for  BS CS majors and a 'focused elective' course for BA CS majors.

Course Coordinators

Professor Bryant York
york@ccs.neu.edu

Textbooks and References

Summer 2000

Computer Graphics: C Version, 2nd Edition, Donald Hearn and Pauline Baker, Prentice Hall, 1997.

Course Goals

Programming Skills

Programming
• write programs about 1000 lines long
• use abstract data types


Program design

• select appropriate structure from alternatives
• use a standard structure and adapt it
• evaluate the costs and benefits of using structures and algorithms


Program composition

• knowledge of tools and environments


Technical Judgement and Assessment

Quantitative reasoning

• scale and magnitude
• estimation and computation
• ask whether an answer is reasonable.


Qualitative reasoning and common sense

• cost vs. benefit
• engineering tradeoffs


System sense

• perform diagnostic reasoning to isolate fault in a system


Factors in decision making

• role of theory in decision making


Complexity, Design, and Abstraction

Complexity

• system size and number of components
• interfaces between components
• interfaces between a system and users
• abstraction and encapsulation


Multiple views

• selective suppression of detail
• different views of the same thing
• select appropriate view
• information giving and hiding:
• external interface as a contract
• types
• signatures

Prerequisites by Topic

Course Catalog Prerequisites:  COM 1201, MTH 1301.

Students should be capable of writing a 1000 line program in C/C++ and to have had some exposure to linear algebra.  Practical linear algebra for computer graphics is reviewed at the beginning of the course.

Major Topics Covered in the Course

Practical linear algebra for computer graphics

2D and 3D geometric transformations and viewing transformations

Algorithms for basic output primitives - lines, circles, ellipses, splines

Hierarchical modeling of objects

Color models

Laboratory projects

1 project - 5 weeks.