Getting Started

This class is meant to teach you about Computer Graphics. Computer Graphics is the study of how we make pictures with computers. The focus of the class is teaching you the key ideas of computer graphics.

The class will also teach you about how to do interactive graphics programming. We will use web technologies for this. On one hand, doing interactive web programming is a means to an end: you need to program graphics in order to really learn it. But, learning to build interactive applications for the web is a useful skill in its own right.

Because this class is online, you will need to provide your own equipment for class. The requirements aren’t much different than any other class. You’ll need a capable computer, a decent internet connection, a camera, and the ability to do audio and video for communications.

The course staff will hold “consulting hours” at the times listed below. We will provide a mixture of in-person and online consulting for students. The idea of consulting hours is that it is a “room” where at least one member of the course staff (usually 2-3) is available to answer questions. Multiple students can come to the room - which gives a chance for students to talk to each other, and to see answers to others’ questions. Read more…

The course staff is available to provide help!

The course web has a lot to read. Here is a suggestion as to where to start (and a recommended order you could look at them).

In CS559 this semester, we will use GitHub as a mechanism for distributing framework code (the starter code for assignments) as well as to have students hand in their assignments.

If you’ve never used Git, some of this might not make sense yet, since we are using Git terminology. See Learning Git and GitHub below for help in getting started.

Learning enough about Git is a requirement for the class. Technically, knowing the basics of Git is a pre-requisite (since it is covered in CS400). However, we will help you learn.

It will be really worth your time to set you computer up for class. The tools you need are discussed at Tools for 559. Here are some steps that I used to set up a new Windows laptop for working on class projects. This can give you a sense of how to get the things on the Tools for 559 page setup on your machine. It will probably be different for you. Read more…

Pre-Requisites: what you need to know before taking this class. Officially the prerequisites are: (MATH 222 or MATH 276) and (COMP SCI 367 or 400) or graduate/professional standing or declared in the Capstone Certificate in Computer Sciences for Professionals The Programming requirements We require CS400. Not necessarily because we want all the specific things they teach you in the class, but rather, we expect you to be a mature enough programmer that you can write non-trivial programs. Read more…

Programming assignments in CS559 will use the Javascript programming language. We will help you learn Javascript, if you aren’t already familiar with it.

Read formatted page...

You are not required to purchase books for this class.

All required readings will be provided online. Some of the readings are provided under academic fair use, and are only for students in the class. For this reason, they will be provided via the course Canvas page.

Here is a brief overview of what the class is and how it works. You may also want to see the Getting Started page.

Archive of the Spring 2022 Class

This web page is from the Spring 2022 CS559 (Computer Graphics) class.

Learning Goals

Technical Requirements

Consulting Hours

Getting Help

Getting Started

Tools for 559

Git and GitHub in CS559

Software

Course Pre-Requisites (should you be here?)

Javascript in CS559

Policies

Books

Course Overview