Engineering 591 - Virtual Reality Programming

Fall 1999 Course Policies

Objective:

At the end of this course, students will be able to write virtual reality programs using C programming and relevant programming libraries. They will be knowledgeable of, and able to implement, features such as action functions, object tasks, user interaction, lighting, viewpoint management, graphical user interfaces, sound, paths, and motion links. (Optional material may include multi-user networked VR, OpenGL programming, and/or device interface development.)

Pre-requisites:

Engineering 477, "Principles of Virtual Reality", and a knowledge of C programming, or consent of instructor. Students are expected to know how to create three-dimensional objects using tools such as AutoCAD, FormZ, 3DStudio, and Photoshop. Students are also expected to know basic VR concepts and terminology, such as scene graphs, texture mapping, Gouraud vs. Phong shading, and directed vs. point light sources. Students should be comfortable with all aspects of C programming, including functions, arrays, structures, and pointers.

Credit Hours:

4

Time & Place:

Monday & Tuesday, 4:30 - 6:30, in the Virtual Reality Lab in the Media Union (MU 1405). Approximately 50% of class time will be lecture format, and the remainder will be laboratory format.

Class Size:

Limited to 20

Text:

WorldToolKit Release 9 Reference Manual, available from Barnes & Noble in Pierpont Commons.

( Note: Excess copies will be returned to the publisher after the end of September. )

Coursepack:

WorldToolKit Release 9 Quick Reference Guide, available from Art & Architecture Copy Center in Pierpont Commons.

Web Site:

http://www.engin.umich.edu/class/eng591

Instructor:

John T. Bell
http://www.engin.umich.edu/labs/vrichel
3318 G.G. Brown Connector
JohnBell@umich.edu
763-4814

Honor Code:

There are many example programs available, both in the book and on the computer. Students are encouraged to study and learn from these examples, but it will be considered a violation of the honor code to copy any code from any sourve, either electonically or manually. It is acceptable to copy 3-D object files from the demo directories or from publically available sources, however all copyright laws should be respected.

Exams will be open coursepack, closed book, closed neighbor, closed notes ( except for notes written into the coursepack ), and closed computer.

Grading System:

Grades will be based upon two mid-term exams, one final exam, one project, and class participation, as follows:

Mid Term Exam 1:

20%

Mid Term Exam 2:

20%

Final Exam:

20%

Project:

30%

Class Participation:

10%

Total:

100%

Class participation scores will be based in part on a project notebook, which will be checked each week for progress. All exams will be open coursepack only. Mid-term exams will take place during normal class time, and the final exam period will be determined.

Exact conversion of numerical scores to letter grades will not take place until all scores, including the final exam and project scores, are complete. However the following minimum baselines will be observed:

A cummulative score of:
will earn at least:
90
A -
80
B -
70
C -
60
D -