CSC 240: Computer Graphics (Fall 2010)

Syllabus Link

Instructor:  Joseph O'Rourke
Textbook: None!  This course is somewhat unusual and is not approximated by any existing textbook. This saves you money but puts a demand on your attendance, attention, and note-taking.
Location: Ford Hall 241 (Graphics Lab)
Time: TuTh 1:00-2:50PM (actually, 2:30PM).
Overview: This course is intended for all students with one introductory programming class. It serves both for the Digital Arts or Arts & Technology Minors, and as a Computer Science Major course, covering both Software and Theory.
Prerequisites: The prerequisites are minmal: One course in programming, e.g., Computer Science I (CSC 111), language not so crucial; Four yrs of HS math.
Enrollments: The course has no enrollment limit. All are welcome! Here are the students in the class (as of 6Sep; web restricted access).
Two Tracks: The course has two tracks in the assignments: (1) for those counting it for Computer Science major programming or theory credit, or (2) for those counting it as a generic "elective," e.g., for the Digital Arts or Arts & Technology Minors.   Computer Science majors are welcome to follow Track 2 if it is not fulfilling the Software or Theory requirements. And anyone nominally in Track 2 can select the Track-1 assignment any week.
Programming Language: I am assuming only exposure to Python from Computer Science I. Programming experience in C or C++ is not required. One-course experience in C++ or Java will suffice to supplant experience with Python, because we will use Python only superficially to call OpenGL library routines.
Software:

• Postscript. The language used to drive most printers.
• OpenGL, a state-of-the-art graphics API, developed originally by Silicon Graphics, but longg an open standard. We will use it via PyOpenGL.
• GameMaker. A program to design games.
• Adobe Illustrator, used for just one week for Bezier curves.
• Adobe PhotoShop, introduced very lightly.
• Blender, Open-source 3D-design software, a brief exposure. Online Textbook: James Chronister Blender Basics: A Classroom Tutorial Book, 3rd Edition
• Mathematica used for just one week or so, for perspective exploration. No previous exposure assumed.
• POV-Ray, 3D rendering software, will dominate the last part of the course.

Course Structure:  We meet two times a week; there is no lab, although we will do many "minilabs" during class time.  There will be one assignment per week, due (generally) each Thursday at midnight. Ideally you get started over the weekend and are prepared to ask questions in class. Collaboration is permitted—even encouraged—on assignments. Precise details in the detailed schedule. Use name=240, pass=240 for web access-restricted files.

Submitting Assignments: Via the Moodle page for this course. (If you are registered for the course you should be automatically enrolled to access Moodle.)

Exams:  Two of the assignments will be one-week take-home "exams," which are very much like assignments except that (a) they focus more on understanding rather than "doing," and (b) unlike assignments, there is no collaboration permitted. You can view the assignment-exams as more comprehensive assignments that count slightly more than a normal assignment.

Project: There is a final (structured) project, due on the last day of the exam period.

Tutors: Katie (Soohyun) Park <spark2@smith.edu> ; Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 7-9 PM, FordHall 243/241.

Grading:

O'Rourke Office Hours & Schedule