Computer Graphics 101

This course will help you to understand the mathematics and algorithms necessary to perform real time 3D graphics using a modern 3D API like OpenGL, DirectX or Vulkan.

Requisites

Linear algebra
Calculus
Data structure and algorithms
C and C++
Optimizing CPU programs

IMPORTANT

What this course is NOT about

Specifics on how to use a 3D API like Direct3D, Vulkan or OpenGL
Specifics on how to program in C or C++, or any other low level language, previous experience on any of those languages is mandatory

Syllabus Part 1

3D graphics pipeline & rasterization

Pipeline stages
Matrices through the pipeline
The rasterization algorithm
Z-buffer

Project 0

Familiarize with the framework and solutions (Windows VS2019 community)
Familiarize with a particular API and real time rendering

Cameras, scenes graphs

Matrices for the camera
Tansformations
Perspective and orthogonal cameras
Algorithms to build graphs
Derive formulas for the camera

Project 1

Manipulate a crystal ball and/or fly camera
Define and load scenes using general transformations

Blinn Phong lighting model and texturing

Lambertian term
Blinn-Phong model
Texturing

Project 2

Apply the lighting model to a general scene

Ray tracing

Stages
Intersection algorithms
Shadows
Reflection
Shading
Recursion

Project 3

Generate high quality images using ray tracing algorithms

Optimization (optional)

AABB
Space traversal
Multiple rays
Multi-threading
SIMD

Project 4

Get the most out of the CPU power using at least 3 or all the recommended optimizations

Part 2 of the course continues after the Ray Tracing assignment (Project 3). It is a mandatory to have completed with good scores all the previous projects (except otional sections).

Syllabus Part 2