COSC455 Assessable assignment 1

This assignment is worth 10% of the marks in Paper COSC455.

1. Learn to use the Mirage solid modelling system using the LINUX machines in the Graphics Laboratory. A complete tutorial for Mirage is available at http://www.cs.otago.ac.nz/graphics/Mirage/. There is also a verson of Mirage that does Photon Mapping.
2. Design a CSG model of 'reasonable complexity' and make three different images to show it off. See me if you aren't sure. There are also images of past objects on the board in the front hall.
3. Write a short description (300 word maximum) to explain your design decisions.
4. E-mail your description together with the location of the image and source files to geoff@otago.ac.nz
   Note: You need to set permissions on the directories and the files that you want me to see. Use chmod 755 filename

This is supposed to be a straightforward assignment and I expect everyone to get full marks. "Reasonable complexity" means that we are not interested in a demonstration subtraction of two spheres. A hand designed model should have twenty to thirty primitives. Alternatively, a more complex model built by a looping or recursive algorithm, needs to demonstrate some thought. A recursive 'Glassner' pyramid or the like is not acceptable. If in doubt, discuss your plan with me before you submit.

Please note that no paper submission is expected.

You have ample time to complete this assignment. If you submit early, your work will be marked and returned within 48 hours and if it is worth less than full marks you can try again anytime up to the due date.

If you can work out how to use texture and lighting nicely, so much the better. It is worth spending some time on this in preparation for the animation assignment next semester.