Andrew T. Duchowski--CPSC 481/681

CPSC 481/681 3D Game Programming
Project 1

Objectives:

To learn fundamental 3D graphics techniques (supported by OpenGL):

3D rotations,
object selection,
hidden surface removal (backface culling),
user interaction.

Motivation:

This project (1) examines the underlying calculations required to render simple 3D scenes, (2) reviews the basic data structures typically employed in graphical systems, and (3) covers interactive features of OpenGL and a GUI toolkit.

Due dates:

Project source: TBD

Teams:

Although this is not advised until the final project, you may organize yourselves into pairs to complete this assignment.

If you form a pair, you must specify the ``division of labor'' (e.g., who did what) in your assignment TEAM file.

Description:

Write a program to implement a wireframe polygonal object viewer that you can use to set up, save, and read in saved scenes:

Use a high-level windowing toolkit (e.g., Qt to open a graphics window and provide user interaction (Xlib and glut ARE NOT high-level GUIs and should be avoided---if you choose either of these, you will have to implement your own buttons, file browsers, etc. otherwise points will be deducted).
Set up buttons and callbacks for toggling/setting various user-controlled options as well user-controlled object manipulation.
Implement user-adjustable face and normal display.
Whatever windows toolkit you use, you must provide a graphical mechanism for selecting/loading polygonal objects, i.e., a file browser to select object files from a directory.
The program should read simple 3D objects (use Alias|Wavefront polygonal object files--these will be provided).
Implement interactive control for the user providing object and camera transformations.
- You will be asked to translate an object away from the origin then rotate it. The object should rotate about its center point (its center of gravity). Try rotating the anchor.obj, it is an object that is defined slightly away from the origin. If it "wobbles" instead of "rotating in place" you're doing it wrong.
- You will be asked to pan/roll/tilt the camera a full 360 degrees. Objects in the scene should swing back into view as the camera completes its rotation. If they don't, you're doing it wrong.
Implement hidden surface removal (use both your own calculations and OpenGL's).
Using your polygonal object viewer, construct a simple scene containing objects (e.g., a simple world or game level).
Create a file format for storing scenes and then allow the user to load pre-arranged scenes. Something like a .pov or .vrml file would be suitable, or invent your own. Provide the user with a file browser for loading/saving scene files.
Arrange the scene to allow navigation, providing obstacles and simple polygonal targets.

Notes, suggestions, warnings, and additional requirements:

Minimize the use of keyboard inputs.
Points will be deducted for: "klunky" interface, incorrect hidden face removal, lack of GUI buttons.

What to hand in:

``Professional-quality'' brief writeup (one writeup per team), placed in a TEAM plain text file including:

Names of all participants: Course Id--Section No.
Name:
Assignment No.
Assignment description

In a USAGE file, inlclude:

Program features
User guide

Electronic submission of source code: provide a self-contained, gzipped .tar of your project 1 directory, complete with a Makefile and README specifying compilation requirements. Your code MUST compile and run on a Linux box.

Demonstartion of program on a Linux workstation will be required.