CS 497 - MJG
Rendering

Computer-generated images are used heavily in fields ranging from movie production to aircraft design and from video games to medical diagnosis. All such applications require effective rendering techniques to convert internal data representations into final images for display. While consumer-level computers are now equipped with powerful rendering hardware, they support only a limited range of visual effects.

In this course, we will explore advanced rendering techniques. Our focus will be on algorithms which can produce photorealistic images and on non-photorealistic techniques which offer more stylized alternatives. This is not an exhaustive survey course. Instead, we will concentrate on areas of current research. Topics to be covered include:

• Distribution ray tracing
• Radiosity and global illumination
• Volume rendering
• Artistic rendering (e.g., pen and ink illustration)

Class readings will consist largely of papers from the research literature, and each student will be expected to present at least one paper in class. Students will also select and complete a semester-long term project.

Credit:  1 unit
Prerequisites:  CS 318 (or equivalent) or consent of the instructor.
Course Web page:   http://www.uiuc.edu/~garland/class/render/

Instructor contacts:

DCL 3215 244-5970 garland@uiuc.edu