1. Evolution of a Project Based Graphics Course
Robert G. Strader
Deborah L. Dunn
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX
Introduction – focus on issues related to course evolution: graphics - shaders, sound, architecture – parallel/GPU, environments
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2. Goals Structure Course Around a Project Theme
Allow for Incorporation of New Techniques
Supports Multimedia Exploration
Prepare a Product of Interest for Each Student
Work in a Team Environment
Focus of the course organization
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3. Background Course Structure Long-term variable component – Project
Short-term current component – Activities
Long-term stable component - Interactive 3D Graphics Labs
Workflow
Accomplish in one course
Course structure, some stability, some change – keeps course “doable” on every other year basis
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4. Projects Games Education Topic Interest Technique Interest
Space , Exaltech, 3D-Tetris, Nanoc, Island
Education
Litho, U-Fix-It, ShuffleBoard
Topic Interest
Boids
Technique Interest
Chisos, ART, StrangeLand
Only Litho, ShuffleBoard and Boids will work from the screen. The others have positionally (from the exe file) assets that require execution from out of the ppt environment.
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5. Activities Short term topics or tools Asset Creation Techniques Theory
Modeling tools – animation/gaming support
Audio tools – general project support
Techniques
Raytracing, Shading, Parallel Processing
Theory
Scene Graph, Design, Electronic Storytelling
Not really a game school so must balance topics and trends and still overview issues in game business – design, management, work environment
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6. Labs Develop Graphics Skills, Introduce Theory
Develop a Small Game Environment – Limited Game Engine
Approach: Five to Six Labs
Each Lab Builds on Previous Work
Support: “Story Telling”, Design, Implementation, Presentation
Goal of most stable component – teaching interactive graphics by example and preparing for the project
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7. Lab Exercises Graphics Output (2D) - Maze
Interactive Input (2D) - “Rat” in Maze
First Person Maze (3D) - “Rat’s View” in Maze
Shading (3D) - Rat’s View with Shadows
Texturing (3D) - Rat’s View with Texture
6 Curves and Surfaces – Non-Linear Objects
Screen shots of the labs – all jpg files. 6 has been reserved for graduate students (the G course – now 560)
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8. Topic Evolution Graphics Sound Techniques
Techniques: Rendering and Shading
Tools: Evolving(?) APIs
Sound
Sound Environments and Tools in Games
Techniques
Parallel Processing/GPU Programming
Deals with issues of rendering – raytracing photorealistic, radiosity, shading models. Deals with API issues: DirectX, OpenGL 2.x to 3.x, etc. Deals with sound: DirectX, Simple Direct Media Layer (SDL), others. Deals with Using GPU programming (CUDA, etc.) for games.
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9. Project Evolution More External Modeling More Sound and Music (Clips)
More Storylines
Some Shading Techniques
More Project Review/Class Presentation
Better Final Report/Project/Demonstration
Variable Class Speakers
Some progress in “more”, slow progress in some, problems in variable – access and timing
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10. Capstone Evolution Elective Course vs. Required Course
Core Coverage: Programming, Data Structures, Architecture, Algorithm Analysis, Software Engineering, Discrete Structures, Mathematics
Other Coverage: Networking, Operating Systems, OOP, AI, Database, Science
Really an issue of how the course relates to the rest of the cs curriculum as both change.
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11. Possible Improvements
A More Object-Oriented Approach
More Shading/Less Cartoon-Like
Some (?) Parallel Processing/GPU
Increase Representative Advanced Techniques – Theory and Implementation
Sound and Alternate APIs
Summer STEM Camps
Issues on the horizon for graphics – last one is to recruit new students (very much needed).
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12. Conclusions Structure Provides “Stability with Evolution”
Students Develop 3D Interactive Graphics Skills focused by their Interest
Provides for the Incorporation of New Techniques and Tools
Completed in a Single Course
Single course attempts to provide students with graphics, design, art, English, storytelling, business, and soft skills, as well as tools and techniques.
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13. References
Ed Angel, Interactive 3D Graphics with OpenGL, 5th Edition, Addison Wesley, 2009
Dave Shreiner, OpenGL Programming Guide, 7th Edition, Addison Wesley, 2010
Rost and Licea-Kane, OpenGL Shading Language, 3rd Edition, Addison Wesley, 2010
Standard OpenGL references – many more.
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14. Acknowledgement - Students
Fall ’02 – Jeremy Day, Diana Gunter, Laurence Miller, Marlo Nordt
Fall ’04 – Eric Erby, Richard Davison, Jessica Roberson, Ted Melot, Wesley Martin
Fall ’06 – Anton Kalis, Billy Clack
Fall ’08 – Aaron Jones, John Anderson
Sample student projects over years since SIGGRAPH paper in 2000
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15. rstrader@sfasu.edu ddunn@sfasu.edu
Addresses
Who to blame, er., contact.
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