Computer graphics are an essential part of modern software. In this course students will learn about fundamental algorithms, data structures and programming models used in 3D graphics applications. These key concepts in computer graphics programming will be covered from their mathematical foundations through to their application in domains such as data visualisation, virtual reality, computer games and film animation/VFX. In this course students will explore these concepts through practical implementation in a modern computer graphics software context.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain the stages of a modern, hardware-accelerated 3D rendering pipeline
2. Construct and manipulate complex models, geometries and scene graphs in both 2D and 3D
3. Implement computer graphics algorithms in a shader language

Research-Led Teaching

The course is featured by 5 computer labs and 6~8 mini-research project topics, aiming to provide the students with research-led problem analysis skill training.

Field Trips

N/A

Required Resources

No prescribed textbook required.

Recommended Resources

Steve Marschner and Peter Shirley, et al., "Fundamentals of Computer Graphics", 4th Edition.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Overview; Math-review-1 (vector and linear algebra)
2	Math Review-2: Viewing and Transformations
3	Rasterisation-1: triangle, z-buffer
4	Rasterisation-2: sample, aliasing, shading
5	3D geometry : mesh processing, volumetric rendering
6	Raytracing-1, whitted
7	Raytracing-2, Radiometry
8	Global illumination; path tracing
9	Animation
10	Simulation and ODE
11	Virtual and Augmented Reality
12	Class review

Tutorial Registration

N/A

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Homework assignment: Computer Lab-1	10 %	1,2
Homework assignment: Computer Lab 2	10 %	2,3
Homework assignment: Computer Lab 3	10 %	2,3
Homework assignment: Computer Lab-4	10 %	2,3
Homework assignment: Computer Lab-5	10 %	2,3
Term Research Project	30 %	1,2,3
Final Exam	20 %	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

• Students are expected to participate in all lectures and applicable computer lab activities in this course.
• Lecture attendance is generally required except for exceptional circumstance (e.g. sick leave, personal leave etc.)
• Computer Lab attendance is strongly encouraged, as help and feedback will be provided during lab and tutorial hours.

Examination(s)

This course generally has a formal paper-based final examination component.

Assessment Task 1

Homework assignment: Computer Lab-1

Set up and be familiar with the programming environment. Create a 3D mesh; basic transformations; See detailed course outline on Wattle. (Each submission generally includes: Source codes, a read.me file, a write-up or project report (with results) as specified in course Wattle page in PDF. )

Assessment Task 2

Homework assignment: Computer Lab 2

Rasterisation: See detailed instruction on course outline in Wattle. (Each submission generally includes: Source codes, read.me, a write-up or project report (with results) in PDF. )

Assessment Task 3

Homework assignment: Computer Lab 3

Geometry (curve and mesh processing): See detailed instruction on course outline in Wattle. (Each submission generally includes: Source codes, read.me, a write-up or project report (with results) in PDF. )

Assessment Task 4

Homework assignment: Computer Lab-4

Ray tracing: See detailed instruction on course outline in Wattle. (Each submission generally includes: Source codes, read.me, a write-up or project report (with results) in PDF. )

Assessment Task 5

Homework assignment: Computer Lab-5

Computer simulation and animation of mass spring system.

Assessment Task 6

Term Research Project

2-3 students are to form into a project group, and to work on a mini-research project on computer graphics. The grouping will happen on Wattle during week-6 or whereabout. About 6-8 topics will be announced around mid-semester. Final deliverables may include a write-up, ppt presentation, supplementary experiment reports, and source code.

Assessment Task 7

Final Exam

Paper based closed book examination to test basic concepts, calculations (by hand) and graphics procedures.

Examination date will be announced on the course Wattle site during the semester once the exam timetable has been finalised.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

Assignments will be submitted through Wattle and/or ANU GitLab. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Apart from TurnitIn checking, you should not use ChatGPT or any of its variants in doing your homework and computer lab/project assessment.

Hardcopy Submission

All submissions must be typed into an online platform. Scanned handwritten or hardcopy submissions will not be accepted, or results in a zero mark.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment pieces will result in a penalty per ANU policy and procedure, unless an approved extension is obtained in written (e.g. email) before the original due date.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle or ANU Teaching GitLab, see the Wattle course website for details.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Assignments may not be resubmitted after the due date (except to granted extension), although multiple pre-submissions via GitLab are encouraged.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students