CS 318 - Computer Labs
Locations
- WindowsNT Multimedia Machines - 1265 DCL
- 27 WindowsNT Machines
- Named: CSIL-PCA[1-27]
- "New" Sun Sparc Lab - 1275 DCL
- 40 Sun Sparc Ultra-10 Workstations
- Named: csil-sunb[1-40]
- "Old" Sun Sparc Labs - 1235 & 1245 DCL
- 48 Sun Sparc Ultra-1 Workstations
- Named: csil-suna[1-48]
For this class, we are designated to use the WindowsNT machines in 1265 DCL. However, your account also gives you access to the Sun Sparc machines in 1235, 1245, and 1275 DCL. (Keep in mind that the NTs and Sparcs can have different passwords, but use the same home directory for the user.)
Hours
Sunday 10am - 12 midnight Monday 9am - 12 midnight Tuesday 9am - 12 midnight Wednesday 9am - 12 midnight Thursday 9am - 12 midnight Friday 9am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 7pm
Quick Links
OpenGL
For this class, you will be programming in C using the OpenGL toolkit. OpenGL is a 3-D graphics toolkit created by Silicon Graphics for their machines. (They even have a snazzy new web site dedicated to OpenGL.) Unfortunately, we do not have OpenGL on the Suns. However, a kind-hearted soul by the name of Brian Paul has written a toolkit called Mesa available on many platforms. Mesa implements most of the OpenGL library routines, and should be more than adequate for our purposes. (It's one drawback is that it is slower than OpenGL.)
Documentation
Online help is available at the OpenGL WWW Center. Here, you will find all sorts of information on OpenGL. In particular, you should look at the OpenGL System Specification and the OpenGL Man Pages.Want even more information on OpenGL? Then try out the Gateway to OpenGL Info page. This page has hundreds of links pertaining to OpenGL, hardware support, documentation, etc.
As you do more work with OpenGL, you may find that the Auxiliary Library is inadequate for your needs. An excellent alternative is the OpenGL Utility Toolkit, or GLUT . This toolkit provides better mouse and keyboard input control than the Auxiliary Library. It also lets you create popup menus.
If you need help with C, go to the ANSI C for Programmers web page. It gives a good introduction to C and the various constructs you should already know.
If you are unfamiliar with WindowsNT, you may want to check out some of the WindowsNT links at www.yahoo.com. For a site of FAQs about WindowsNT, check out The WindowsNT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) site.
Sample Code
Most of the sample code in the OpenGL Programming Guide is available online. These sample programs are a great way to start learning OpenGL. You are welcome to copy and paste these programs into your MPs as long as it is not expressly prohibited by the MP.
If you have general questions about the facilities, software, operating systems, etc., send e-mail to userhelp@cs.uiuc.edu and someone will help you.