ComG Lecture 1

I learned that praying to a book called the OpenGL Super Bible helps you pass this module.
Well, maybe not learn, but I did hear that.
The RULES:

Be punctual. (10 minutes grace)

Pay attention. (No Games, No MSN, Only COMPG work is allowed in Labs)

If you fail this module, you have to repeat it and you are not allowed to take any
advanced module or any related modules.

Practice and Do is the key to passing this module.

Ask questions when in doubt.

About rule #2, I have something very important to point out, I might be wrong but... I think it is now Windows Live Messenger and not MSN Messenger.

About this MODULE:

60 Hrs, 1hr lecture & 3hrs practical per week(What you are paying for)

Lecture –Theory & Concept of Computer Graphics

Lab –Application of Computer Graphics (OpenGL why?)

Assessment Modes(SUPER IMPORTANT)
•Assignment 1 –30%
•Assignment 2 –35%
•Quiz/ In-class Assessment –10%
•Test –20%
•Participation –5%

Lecture Notes(If you still don't know this...)
•Lecture notes can be found in the reference drive T:\DET\DM2122 Computer Graphics(Tan Siew Lan)\Lectures

So hey guess what people? The whole course seems to have become more based on daily work, so no hope of slacking now. =P

and now for the TOPICS!!(drum roll)

General knowledge on Computer Graphics
2D Graphics
•Traditional 2D Graphics
3D Graphics
•3D Object Representation
•Lights, materials
•Textures
•Cameras
•Animation

and here are the TOOLS used and SKILLS needed in this module

OpenGL

GLUT

C++

General programming knowledge
•What is an array?(int arr[10])
•How to call method?(what??)
•What is a class or an object?(well I know that)

Object oriented programming knowledge(OOP)

Now finally, places of REFERENCE(Very important in my opinion)

Computer Graphics with OpenGL, Hearn Baker

OpenGL –A Primer, Edward Angel

Computer Graphics Using OpenGL, Francis S Hill

OpenGL Super Bible 3rd Ed., Wright

http://www.lighthouse3d.com/opengl

http://www.gamedev.net/

http://www.opengl.org/

http://www.morrowland.com/

About the OpenGL Super Bible, I think the 8th edition is already out. Everything else...I'm not really sure. GameDev.net is a good website though.

Now...the summary...begins!

[What are considered Computer Graphics?]
Anything graphical that is generated by a computer is considered Computer Graphics.
Computer Graphics require both software and hardware to generate.

[How are Computer Graphics generated onto the screen?]
CPU > Video Card > Screen

[Where can Computer Graphics be used?]

•Arts, Entertainment, & Publishing

•Developments of Computer Games

•Scientific Analysis & Volume Visualization

•Virtual –Reality Environments

•Computer –Aided Design (CAD)

[How Computer Graphics has become]
Thanks to the many pictures in the lecture, I was able to see the change in Computer Graphics over the years.
1. Quality
How quality has improved can be simply put in this way. Take the blocky graphics in those SNES games and compare it to those smooth graphics of games today, like the game I reviewed on. Those wallpaper-like pictures of the characters are what you actually see moving in the game as you play.

2. Realistic
As Computer Graphics evolved, things that can possibly be created using Computer Graphics become more realistic. In the past, if you took a picture of a game, it will look like a picture of a game, but today we see life-like characters in the game, so life-like that people could probably do a nearly perfect cosplay of the character.

[Why use Computer Graphics?]

Now that Computer Graphics are so advanced, you'd want them in anything that you want to be visually pleasing to the people who would see it. Also, it would be much more convenient than to draw out everything by hand, but doing that might produce even better graphics.

[So what did I learn exactly?]
I admit that I didn't exactly learn much, however this is just the first lecture, so I don't expect to learn anything. However, truth be told, I didn't even know what I would be doing in ComG before this lecture and now I know that what I'll have to expect in this module. Mental preparation.

This post might be updated in time.