ACM SIGGRAPH Education Committee - SIGGRAPH Conference Courses

Internetworked 3D Computer Graphics: Overcoming Bottlenecks and Supporting Collaboration

wobbe — Fri, 13 Aug 1999 04:00:01 +0000

SIGGRAPH 99 Course 21

Original Course Description:

An introduction to networking concepts for using and developing interactive and collaborative Internet-based graphics applications.

Software and tools associated with the Multicast Backbone (MBone), Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol, Hypertext Transfer (http) protocol, Java and Java3D, the Extensible Markup Language (XML), the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) and the High Level Architecture (HLA) for Distributed Virtual Environments were demonstrated in this course. Collaborative remote design projects were presented as case studies, followed by first-hand examples of the capabilities and tradeoffs involved when interactive 3D graphics are combined with the World Wide Web and live information streams across the Internet. The speakers also discussed how the SIGGRAPH community is affected by (and can likewise influence) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards (such as implementations of relevant protocols in the IPv6 suite), the ACM Special Interest Group on Communications (SIGCOMM), the VRML Consortium, and other Internet-related organizations.

Theresa-Marie Rhyne (Organizer:Lockheed Martin/ U.S. EPA Visualization Center), Bob Barton (Fraunhofer Center for Research in Computer Graphics), Don Brutzman (Naval Postgraduate School), Mike Macedonia (USA Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Command)

Introduction to Programming with Java 3D

wobbe — Fri, 13 Aug 1999 04:00:00 +0000

SIGGRAPH 99 Course 40

Original Course Description:

Java3D is a new cross-platform API for developing 3D graphics applications in Java. Its feature set is designed to enable quick development of complex 3D applications and, at the same time, enable fast and efficient implementation on a variety of platforms, from PCs to workstations. Using Java3D, software developers can build cross-platform applications that build 3D scenes programmatically, or via loading 3D content from VRML, OBJ, and/or other external files. The Java3D API includes a rich feature set for building shapes, composing behaviors, interacting with the user, and controlling rendering details. In this course, participants learned the concepts behind Java3D, the Java3D class hierarchy, typical usage patterns, ways of avoiding common mistakes, animation and scene design techniques, and tricks for increasing performance and realism.

Henry A. Sowizral (Organizer: Sun Microsystems, Inc.), David R. Nadeau(San Diego Supercomputer Center and the University of California, San Diego)

PDF files

(both contain the full 600+ pages of the tutorial notes)

course40.pdf - designed for page-by-page viewing using Acrobat Reader:
each PDF page shows a single tutorial slide.
java3d4p.pdf - designed for printing using Acrobat Reader:
each PDF page shows FOUR tutorial slides.

For on-line reading and experimentation, however, we recommend that you install the archives below instead.

The on-line tutorial notes

These archive files each contain a copy of the full 600+ pages of the tutorial notes plus all of the Java 3D examples and their associated images, sounds, and geometry files. To use these files you must expand an archive on to your hard disk.
Both archives contain the same files, but in formats appropriate for PC or UNIX systems.

java3d.tar
UNIX users: Use "tar", or an equivalent application, expand the TAR archive on to your hard disk.
java3d.zip
PC users: Use "pkzip", "WinZip", or an equivalent application, to expand the ZIP archive on to your hard disk.

You will need approximately 15 Mbytes for the expanded files. Each of the archives will expand to create a "java3d" folder in which the remainder of the files are located. To view the tutorial notes and examples, open the file "java3d.htm" in your Web browser. All further files are hyperlinked from this one starting point.

A Basic Guide to Global Illumination

wobbe — Fri, 24 Jul 1998 04:00:02 +0000

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 5

Holly Rushmeier (Organizer), David Banks, Peter Shirley

PDF - 4.2 Mbytes

Original Course Description

The goal of global illumination methods is to simulate the path of light in an environment through the image plane in order to compute realistic images. Not all applications require the accuracy attainable with global illumination methods, and not all global illumination methods are good for all possible lighting effects. In this course, comparison of physical experiments provided insight into the basic methods. The target audience: people who are new to graphics, who teach and work in other areas of graphics, and who might want to understand how these methods differ from other rendering techniques.

Prerequisites

Beginning experience with graphics, including representation of geometry by polygons specified as lists of vertices. Familiarity with physics and math at a level provided by first-year college courses in physics and calculus also assumed.

Topics Covered

The course presented a model of image formation in which RGB values in an image are determined by a global illumination method. It also presented the physical equations that govern global illumination, how these equations relate to image RGB values, and ray tracing and radiosity as they relate to these equations.

Introduction to VRML 97

wobbe — Fri, 24 Jul 1998 04:00:01 +0000

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 18

Dave Nadeau (Organizer), John Moreland, and Michael Heck

HTML version - can still be found at the old site
Zip file of the course contents (7.5Mbytes).
Contains HTML version

Original Course Description:

VRML (the Virtual Reality Modeling Language) technology has broad applicability, including Web-based entertainment, distributed visualization, 3D user interfaces to remote Web resources, 3D collaborative environments, interactive simulations for education, virtual museums, and virtual retail spaces. VRML is a key multi-platform technology shaping the future of the Web. Participants learned how to use VRML to author their own 3D virtual worlds on the World Wide Web. They learned the syntax of VRML, typical usage patterns, how to avoid common mistakes, animation and scene design techniques, and tricks for increasing performance and realism.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of computers and algebra, and a beginning-level understanding of 3D graphics concepts, such as that provided in Introduction to Computer Graphics (Course 12). Familiarity with computer programming helpful, but not required.

Topics Covered

Syntax for building shape geometry and controlling shape coloration, texturing, shading, grouping, and animation; specification of preferred viewpoints, lighting, sounds, backgrounds, and fog; animation programming with Java and JavaScript; optimization techniques.

Art for Computer Graphicists

wobbe — Fri, 24 Jul 1998 04:00:00 +0000

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 30

Andrew Glassner (Organizer), Jeff Callender, Mat Gleason, Barbara Kerwin, Jim Mahoney

PDF - 24.5 Mbytes

Original Course Description

Creating effective and memorable images is an important part of communication. Computer graphics can help in that process. But the principles that underlie creation of great visuals don't change when applied to the computer. Composition, color theory, layout, and social and historical context are just some of the ideas that an artist brings to a piece to create clear, powerful messages. Many people who create computer graphics today have emphasized technical topics over artistic ones in their education and have missed these visual principles. This course discussed the context and basics of design, and reviewed important, practical techniques and tools for creating visuals that speak to a viewer with clarity, precision, and emotion.

Prerequisites

An open mind and a willingness to explore.

Topics Covered

Art history, color theory, design, and the current state of art and design across cultures. Attendees received reprints of essays and articles, and pointers to other media for further learning.

Visualizing Scientific Data and Information

wobbe — Fri, 09 Aug 1996 04:00:01 +0000

Focusing on the Physical and Natural Sciences

SIGGRAPH 96 Course 16

Theresa-Marie Rhyne (organizer), Bill Hibbard, Mike Botts, Lloyd Treinish

PDF
Movies: Mpeg / Mov

Original Course Description:

This course demonstrates the application of visualization tools and interactive techniques for examination and interpretation of scientific datasets. Highly illustrative atmospheric, oceanographic, and geographic examples are demonstrated in real time. Also highlighted: the process of developing effective visualization paradigms for supporting high-speed networking, database management, heterogenous computing platforms, user interface design, collaborative computing, science education, implementation of animation techniques, convergence of visualization methods with the World Wide Web, and the relationship between animation techniques and scientific information exploration.

Who Should Attend

Scientific researchers, educators, and computer graphics specialists interested in exploring particular issues associated with handling visual display of scientific information and large scientific datasets. Experience with scientific visualization systems and terminology is helpful, as well as understanding of graphics programming.

Pixel Cinematography

wobbe — Fri, 09 Aug 1996 04:00:00 +0000

SIGGRAPH 96 Course 30

Lighting Approach for Computer Graphics

John Kahrs (Blue Sky Productions, Organizer), Sharon Calahan (Pixar), Steven Poster (A.S.C.), Euan MacDonald (Industrial Light & Magic)

Original Course Description

A comprehensive approach to lighting for computer graphics. Four experts from both traditional cinematography and digital studio backgrounds offer insight on several issues, including real-world lighting and how it relates to CG lighting, material properties, integration and compositing issues, and how lighting relates to storytelling.

Who Should Attend

Anyone interested in computer lighting from a visual perspective. Attendees should have some experience with computer graphics.

ACM SIGGRAPH Education Committee - SIGGRAPH Conference Courses

Internetworked 3D Computer Graphics: Overcoming Bottlenecks and Supporting Collaboration

SIGGRAPH 99 Course 21

Original Course Description:

Tags:

Introduction to Programming with Java 3D

SIGGRAPH 99 Course 40

Original Course Description:

PDF files

The on-line tutorial notes

Tags:

A Basic Guide to Global Illumination

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 5

Original Course Description

Prerequisites

Topics Covered

Tags:

Introduction to VRML 97

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 18

Original Course Description:

Prerequisites

Topics Covered

Tags:

Art for Computer Graphicists

SIGGRAPH 98 Course 30

Original Course Description

Prerequisites

Topics Covered

Tags:

Visualizing Scientific Data and Information

SIGGRAPH 96 Course 16

Original Course Description:

Who Should Attend

Tags:

Pixel Cinematography

SIGGRAPH 96 Course 30

Original Course Description

Who Should Attend

Tags: