Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	3D Computer Graphics
Module Code	EE300
School	School of Electronic Engineering
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The field of 3D computer graphics deals with the definition, manipulation and ultimately the visualisation of 3D content. Examples of 3D computer graphics can be found in a variety of different areas with applications ranging from the visualisation of medical image data to the creation of special effects for movies. The aim of this module is to provide the student with an introduction to the area of 3D computer graphics programming and to equip them with the range of skills that are necessary to design and implement interactive 3D software applications.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply the mathematical concepts that are used in 3D computer graphics.
2. Create custom 3D content by specifying the appropriate geometry and appearance information.
3. Describe the composition of a 3D scene using the scene graph programming model.
4. Create a software implementation of a scene graph using the functionality provided by a 3D application programming interface (API).
5. Develop comprehensive 3D applications that demonstrate the key concepts associated with 3D graphics programming.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	Module lectures
Lab	18	Module labs
Independent learning time	83	Independent learning time
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to graphics.
2D graphics, colour spaces, images, file formats, anti-aliasing, transformations, animations, rendering..

The mathematics of 3D graphics.
Vectors, matrices, linear transformations..

Scene graphs.
The directed acyclic graph, group nodes, leaf nodes, node components..

Geometry.
Defining polygons, geometric primitives, strip geometry, indexed geometry, loading geometry from files..

Appearance.
Material, transparency, texture mapping..

Lighting.
Light sources, reflection, shading, shadows..

Environment nodes and behaviours.
Background, fog, level-of-detail, Billboarding.

User Interaction.
Picking, mouse events, key events, camera control..

Animation.
Interpolators, splines, key frame animation..

Graphics engines.
Scene graphs, optimisation techniques, high-level effects (e.g. imposters, environmental mapping, lens flare, particle systems)..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Laboratory	Introduction to Java 3D	5%	Week 2
Laboratory	Scene graphs	5%	Week 3
Laboratory	Geometry and appearance	5%	Week 3
Laboratory	User interaction and camera control	5%	Week 4
Laboratory	Animation and collisions	5%	Week 5
Laboratory	Graphics engines	5%	Week 6
In Class Test	The purpose of the class test is to evaluate the student’s understanding of the more theoretical aspects of the module. This class test will take the form of a paper based exam.	20%	Week 8
Project	The project, which is the final part of the assessment, will allow the student to demonstrate their understanding of the full range of topics covered in the course and in doing this the project facilities a compressive assessment of the student’s skills in the area of 3D computer graphics.	50%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Robert Sadleir: 2010, EE300 Course Notes,
Oracle Inc: 2000, The Java 3D Tutorial,
Alan Watt: 1999, 3D computer graphics, Third, Addison Wesley,
Frank Klawonn: 2008, Introduction to Computer Graphics: Using Java 2D and 3D, Springer,
Hong Zhang and Y. Daniel Liang: 2006, Computer graphics using Java 2D and 3D, Prentice Hall,
Aaron E. Walsh and Doug Gehringer: 2001, Java 3D API Jump-Start, Prentice Hall,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

DME

B.Eng. in Digital Media Engineering

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)