30% test - 45 minutes duration assessing Learning Outcome 1.
70% practical assignment assessing Learning Outcomes 2 and 3.

- Survey of computer graphics applications: animation, computer games, computer-aided design and visualisation, image processing, scientific and medical visualisation, virtual reality
- history and new developments in graphics and games, review of game genres game development lifecycle, different roles (artist, producer, programmer) in game development
- basic image transformation techniques such as rotation, resizing, flipping, blurring, sharpening
- introduction to the 3D rendering pipeline, the need for appropriate data structures and matrix transformations
- overview of lighting and shading techniques, texture mapping
- elements of the game loop - input, movement using AI and physics, graphics and sound rendering
- introduction to techniques for animation and user interaction
- graphical hardware - input and output (eg monitor and printer) devices, graphics cards
- colour models
- graphical file formats, compression techniques
- introduction to software packages for graphics and game development, such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, Fireworks and Flash
- introduction to programming games and animated systems

Normally 2 lectures and 1 practical session per week. In the practical session you will work through exercises to get hands-on experience of the principles taught in the lecture.
(1:n)2 (1:20)1

The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 4th Ed, Isaac Victor Kerlow, John Wiley & Sons Inc 2009; ISBN: 978-0470084908
Computer Graphics with OpenGL, 4th Edition. Donald Hearn and M. Pauline Baker et. al., Prentice Hall 2010 ; ISBN: 978-0136053583
Ultimate Game Design - Building Game Worlds, Tom Meigs, McGraw-Hill 2003 ISBN 0-07-222899-7 (background reading)

Hardware and software suitable for games programming
3D modelling software such as Maya or 3DS Max
2D graphics software such as Adobe Fireworks or Flash

Be enrolled or have studied an introductory Java programming module such as CE00371-4 Introduction to Software Development or CE00858-4 Fundamental Programming Techniques or equivalent.