Computer Graphics

Course Description

6.837 offers an introduction to computer graphics hardware, algorithms, and software. Topics include: line generators, affine transformations, line and polygon clipping, splines, interactive techniques, perspective projection, solid modeling, hidden surface algorithms, lighting models, shading, and animation. Substantial programming experience is required. This course is worth 6 Engineering Design Points.

Technical Requirements

Any number of development tools can be used to compile and run the .C and .h files found on this course site. Any number of graphics applications can import the .obj files found on this course site. Please refer to the course materials for any specific instructions or recommendations.

Lecture Notes

LEC #	TOPICS
1	Course Overview ( PDF - 1.1MB) C++ Tutorial (PDF)
2	Ray Casting 1: Generation and Intersection (PDF - 1.2 MB)
3	Ray Casting 2: More Intersection (PDF - 1.7 MB)
4	Transformations 1: Translation, Rotation and Scale (PDF - 1.0 MB)
5	Transformations 2: In Modeling (PDF - 1.7 MB) Linear Algebra Tutorial (PDF)
6	Ray Tracing (PDF - 2.4 MB)
7	Local Illumination (PDF)
8	Acceleration Data Structures (PDF - 3.9 MB)
9	Curves and Surfaces (PDF - 3.2 MB)
10	Animation 1: Interpolation and Kinematics (PDF)
11	Animation 2: Orientation and Quaternions (PDF)
12	Animation 3: Dynamics (PDF - 1.7 MB)
13	Graphics Pipeline 1: Perspective Transformations (PDF - 1.1 MB)
14	Graphics Pipeline 2: Line Clipping and Rasterization (PDF)
15	Graphics Pipeline 3: Polygon Rasterization (PDF)
16	Graphics Pipeline 4: Polygon Clipping (PDF - 3.1 MB)
17	Shadows (PDF - 3.1 MB)
18	Global Illumination: Radiosity (PDF - 2.7 MB)
19	Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (PDF - 3.4 MB)
20	Color 1: Color Vision and Color Spaces (PDF - 2.3 MB) (Courtesy of Victor Ostromoukhov. Used with permission.)
21	Color 2: Color Effects and Production (PDF - 2.6 MB) (Courtesy of Victor Ostromoukhov. Used with permission.)
22	Texture Mapping (PDF - 3.6 MB)
23	Sampling, Aliasing and MIP Mapping (PDF - 2.0 MB)

Exams

Quiz 1 is given after lecture 9 and Quiz 2 is given after lecture 20, as shown in the calendar. Both quizzes are provided below.

Quiz 1 (PDF)
Quiz 2 (PDF)