The goal of this course is to enable students to understand the functioning of a graphics system from both a software and hardware perspective. Furthermore, students will learn to analyze, design, and evaluate different types of graphic applications, develop related content, and manage the resulting outputs. In particular, students will acquire knowledge in the following areas: - The human visual system - Color perception and representation - Architectures of graphic systems - Graphic primitives - 3D model geometry and manipulation - Lighting and rendering models - Design of graphic applications and interaction techniques - Main graphics software, libraries, and programming languages Students will also develop skills related to: - Creating and manipulating 3D content through polygonal modeling and managing it using graphics libraries or engines - Configuring light sources and graphical attributes (color, transparency, etc.) of 3D content - Using textures to control the appearance of a 3D object - Configuring a rendering engine to achieve the desired level of realism - Managing basic functionalities of a physics engine - Solving practical problems related to the development of an interactive graphic application

Fundamentals of geometry and programming languages.

General outline of the 27 hours of classroom lessons: - The human visual system, light perception, and color representation - Transformations and coordinate systems - 3D geometries, curves, surfaces, and their representations - Lighting models - Primitives and the graphics pipeline - Interactive rendering and photorealism - Graphics system hardware and peripheral devices

Starting from academic year 2025/26 the course, originally titled Informatica Grafica, will be taught in English and material will be updated accordingly.

In addition to classroom lectures, 33 hours of laboratory sessions are scheduled. The sessions involve the use of software tools and libraries for modeling and rendering static 3D scenes, as well as for developing interactive graphic applications. These activities, which are temporally aligned with the classroom content and serve as preparation for the development of an individual or group project, cover the following topics: - Introduction to modeling and rendering software - Modeling techniques - Lighting and materials for 3D scene rendering - Procedural and image texture mapping - Physics simulation - Creation of applications using graphics libraries/engines - Importing and managing 3D scenes and models in interactive graphic applications During the laboratory sessions, several exercises are assigned (typically one every two to three weeks), with increasing complexity and related to the topics covered. By optionally solving these exercises within the deadlines set by the instructor, students can earn up to 3 additional points that contribute to the final grade (only if the exam is passed).

Textbooks (to be selected depending on software tools actually chosen): - Introduction to Computer Graphics, Foley, Van Dan, Feiner, Hughes, Phillips - The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics: Computer Modeling & Animation, Blain - Hands-On Unity Game Development, Borromeo, Gomila Salas - 3D Game Development with Godot 4.x, Millie - OpenGL Programming Guide: The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL, Kessenich, Sellers Further references could be provided at the beginning or during the course, if needed.

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Text book; Exercises; Exercise with solutions ; Video lectures (current year);

You can take this exam before attending the course

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam; Individual project; Group project;

The exam consists of a written test and a laboratory project, which contribute to the final grade in the proportions of one-third and two-thirds, respectively. The results of both parts are expressed on a 0-to-30 scale, and the exam is passed if the average score is at least 18/30. The written test, which lasts approximately one hour, is designed to assess knowledge of the topics listed in the official course syllabus and the ability to apply theory to solve exercises (typically one open-ended question or exercise for each topic in the syllabus, with scores ranging from 1 to 3). During the written test, it is not permitted to have or consult books, notes, exercise sheets, formula sheets, calculators, or similar materials. The laboratory project, carried out individually or in a group, is proposed by the students and agreed upon with the instructors. It aims to create a static 3D scene and an interactive graphic application based on the concepts learned during the laboratory exercises. The project evaluation takes into account which and how many modeling techniques and approaches to the interactive management of resulting geometries among those presented in the course have been applied, and with what results. The laboratory project must be submitted (and discussed) on one of the written test dates. During the discussion, questions are asked to verify the individual's contribution to the project's completion. Points earned by optionally solving the exercises assigned during the laboratory sessions can lead to honors (cum laude). The results obtained in both the parts and in exercise-solving, as well as the overall evaluation, are communicated through the Portale della Didattica.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.