CS/CNS 174, Computer Graphics Projects
Time: |
1-2pm MWF, 1st week and last few weeks of quarter
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Location: |
Zoom |
Instructor: |
Prof. Al Barr  
barr@cms.caltech.edu
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Spring
Quarter, 2021 |
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Computer Graphics Projects.
This laboratory class offers students an opportunity for independent
work covering recent computer graphics research. In coordination with
the instructor, students select a computer graphics modeling,
rendering, interaction, or related algorithm and implement
it. Students are required to present their work in class and discuss
the results of their implementation and possible improvements to
the basic methods. |
Links to a few previous projects
Course Details, Spring 2021:
In this one-quarter course students implement a computer graphics
algorithm or simulation program of ``reasonable'' size and complexity. It
could involve implementing an algorithm from a Siggraph paper, or it could
be the computer graphics component of some other project. It could involve
animation and the creation of a video, or various types of interactive
computer graphics efforts.
Questions should be directed to barr@cms.caltech.edu
which goes to Prof. Barr.
1. In 2021, classes will be held:
- Week 1
-
Monday, 1pm, March 29 (no class on Monday.)
- Wednesday, 1pm, March 31
- no class on Friday unless it is desired.
- I am available for individual Zoom meetings, for instance
weekly if you wish, or some other schedule, if you would like to discuss details
of possible projects.
- End-of-quarter
- Last few weeks for 30 minute student presentations.
Note that senior and graduate student grades are due
Monday June 7, 2021. Commencement is Fri June 11; other
undergraduate grades are due
Wednesday June 16.
The presentations will take place toward the end of the
quarter, starting Wednesday June 2.
These will involve a 30 minute presentation and demo of
your project to the class; also you'll hand in your final
writeup at that time. You should attend the other student
presentations, and the other CS174 students should attend your
presentation and ask questions.
Note that Monday May 31, 2021 is Memorial Day, a holiday, so
there will not be class presentations on that day.
2. Proposal and Term Projects are due:
- The initial project proposal is due Monday, April 11, 2021.
Please send pdf, html, plain text, ps, or Word files to barradmin@cms.caltech.edu
Other document formats may also be acceptable.
- The instructor (Barr) is available for discussion and meetings
about your project that you may wish to have; please
set up appointments via e-mail using the above link.
- There is a potential mid-quarter assessment of the projects (TBA)
- The final class presentation, project writeup and demo are due when you
make your presentation.
3. Description of Term Project
The purpose of the term project is to to gain experience by implementing a
computer graphics algorithm or simulation program of "reasonable" size
and complexity for the ten week time frame. It could involve implementing
an algorithm from a Siggraph paper, or it could be the computer graphics
component of some other project. It could involve animation and the
creation of a video, or various types of interactive computer graphics
efforts.
We request two written descriptions of your project: a project proposal,
and a final project description. The two writeups are very similar. The
italicized portions of this document, in square brackets [] apply to
the project
proposal.
The write-ups should be as short as possible and as long as
necessary to
communicate what you [plan to do] did. It should be clear enough for other
people to understand and duplicate the work.
In addition, when you present I would like to receive a copy of your presentation (say, in
powerpoint or pdf form). With your permission, some of the
presentations may be put on the CS174 web page, for other people to see.
(See
A few previous projects
).
Mixing this project with other projects and some types of collaboration
with other students is acceptable. This should be discussed with the
instructor, in advance.
Sections in the Write-up
- Executive Summary
[What you're proposing to do] An overview of what you have done in
your project.
- Abstraction
A description of the computer-graphics phenomenon, object or system
that you will be modeling/simulating/creating. It should include the
features you [plan to] include in the models, and the features you
exclude.
- Mathematical Representation
This section will contain the [preliminary] descriptions and
equations to be used in the computer graphics models and simulations.
- Algorithms/Computational Implementation
Please describe [preliminary versions of] the computational and
numerical approaches you [plan to] have used, algorithm
pseudocode, etc.
- Results
A description of the results of the modeling and simulation
activities you [expect to] obtain. If your project involves
animation, please include an mpg or videotape of results.
- [Fall Back Position]
[Since there are only about nine weeks to work on the project, it
will be useful to have a version of the project that is definitely
implementable in the time frame. You may wish to mention any special
issues that may cause you trouble. But choosing a ``fall-back''
project of smaller scope will be very beneficial.]
- Conclusions Please comment on advantages and disadvantages
of the approach, unexpected aspects of the project, future work,
etc.
- Appendices
This is a good place to provide supplemental information that would
otherwise break the flow of the reading of the project write-ups. It
could also include copies of research papers that may be informative
to the reader.