CS482 Simulations in Computer Graphics

Course Description

Software to simulate physical phenomena for use in interactive visualization, such as particle systems, Navier-Stokes fluid dynamics, and finite element solid mechanics. Includes model preparation including 2D and 3D meshing, Lagrangian and Eulerian meshes, simulation stability, and simulation accuracy and discretization order. Our focus is high performance qualitatively correct simulations running at interactive rates, rather than high-precision solutions. This course assumes you know basic Newtonian physics, simple calculus such as finite difference approximations of derivatives, and some computer graphics programming.

Tentative Schedule

1. Wed, Jan 18

   Integration of differential equations & course intro

2. Fri, Jan 20

   In-class development of course topics

3. Mon, Jan 23

   Vector review; and Euler, quaternion, and matrix rotation representations

4. Wed, Jan 25

   Representing angular velocity, and integrating to 3D orientation

5. Fri, Jan 27

   Last day for student- and faculty-initiated drops (course does not appear on academic record)

6. Fri, Jan 27

   Particle Systems intro

7. Mon, Jan 30

   Particle Systems and O(N^2) Gravity

8. Wed, Feb 01

   Trees and Barnes-Hut Gravity

9. Fri, Feb 03

   Performance Benchmarking Gravity

10. Mon, Feb 06

    Flocking and emotion simulation

11. Wed, Feb 08

    Spring Systems

12. Fri, Feb 10

    Fracture: breaking springs

13. Mon, Feb 13

    Modeling & Mesh Generation

14. Wed, Feb 15

    Deadline to apply for spring 2017 graduation

15. Wed, Feb 15

    Linear finite elements & the Finite Element Method

16. Fri, Feb 17

    Large-rotation finite elements

17. Mon, Feb 20

    Cohesive elements and fracture

18. Wed, Feb 22

    Geometric changes in a finite element mesh

19. Fri, Feb 24

    Coupled simulations: vehicle simulation

20. Mon, Feb 27

    Cellular Automata: Finite State Simulations (& Wolfram book)

21. Wed, Mar 01

    GPU simulations in textures, with GLSL

22. Fri, Mar 03

    PDEs: Shallow water wave simulations

23. Mon, Mar 06

    Project 1 Presentations

24. Wed, Mar 08

    Course Review for Midterm Exam

25. Fri, Mar 10

    Midterm Exam in Class

26. Mon, Mar 13

    Spring break (no classes)

27. Mon, Mar 20

    Fluid transport: advection

28. Wed, Mar 22

    Navier-Stokes fluid dynamics and PDE notation

29. Fri, Mar 24

    Courant stability limit & upwind advection (Project 1 final draft due)

30. Mon, Mar 27

    Divergence-Free Flow Fields

31. Wed, Mar 29

    Multigrid simulation

32. Fri, Mar 31

    Last day for student- and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade appears on academic transcript)

33. Fri, Mar 31

    Reactive flows & combustion

34. Mon, Apr 03

    Begin registration and fee payment for fall 2017 semester (degree students)

35. Mon, Apr 03

    Supersonic simulations (Project 2 topics due)

36. Wed, Apr 05

    Turk-Turing and Reaction-Diffusion Equations

37. Fri, Apr 07

    Morphogens and simulating plant growth

38. Mon, Apr 10

    Particle-field interactions

39. Wed, Apr 12

    Coupled simulations: snowmelt dynamics

40. Fri, Apr 14

    Coupled simulations: terrain erosion

41. Mon, Apr 17

    Boundary conditions: Wind-object interactions (Project 2 rough draft due)

42. Wed, Apr 19

    Coupled simulations: solid rocket engine

43. Fri, Apr 21

    SpringFest (no classes)

44. Mon, Apr 24

    Coupled simulations: 3D printer extrusion

45. Wed, Apr 26

    Coupled simulations: granular dynamics

46. Fri, Apr 28

    Project 2 presentations

47. Mon, May 01

    Last day of instruction

48. Mon, May 01

    Course Review for Final Exam

49. Thu, May 04

    Final examination period 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m (Project 2 final draft due)

50. Sat, May 06

    Commencement

Grading Policies

Grades will be assigned based on the following percentage intervals:

A+

[97%, 100%)

A

[93%, 97%)

A-

[90%, 93%)

B+

[87%, 90%)

B

[83%, 87%)

B-

[80%, 83%)

C+

[77%, 80%)

C

[73%, 77%)

C-

[70%, 73%)

D+

[67%, 70%)

D

[63%, 67%)

D-

[60%, 63%)

F

[0%, 60%)

Graduate Section

Students taking the graduate section of this course, CS 681, will be assigned academic papers to read that are related to the stacked lectures. They will also have different exam problems, and additional homework and project requirements.

Late Work Policy

Late work will not be graded, unless it is due to circumstances beyond your control, or if you turn it in before I begin grading. I may begin grading at any time after the due date, even 12:01am the next day (grading is an effective treatment for insomnia!). You are encouraged to inquire if I have begun grading yet, since this acts as a reminder for me to do so.

Prerequisites

First, you need a basic ability to work in modern computer graphics, from the prerequisite CS 381 (Intro to graphics).

• Vertices, triangles, vertex buffers
• GLSL Shaders

Second, you need to understand the real-world meaning of Partial Differential Equations, like Newton's laws, from the prerequisite Physics 212, calculus-based physics.

• Position, velocity, acceleration, and how they interrelate
• Force, inertia, torque, and rotational intertia

Underlying both of these is 3D vector arithmetic, which is used extensively in computer graphics and simulations. Calculus III is transitively a prerequisite of this course, and we'll be using 3D vectors and partial derivatives extensively.

Required Hardware And Software

The majority of the code in this course will be written in the OpenGL Shader Language (for graphics cards), JavaScript (for web browsers), or C++ (for applications). You should verify your web browser supports WebGL, and spend a few hours learning JavaScript at Code Academy.

Policies

Students are expected to be at every class meeting on time, and are responsible for all class content, whether present or not. If absence from class is necessary, in-class work (other than quizzes) and homework may be made up only if the instructor is notified as soon as possible; in particular, absences due to scheduled events must be arranged ahead of time. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to UAF procedures. Students in this class must pay the CS lab fee.

UAF academic policies http://www.uaf.edu/catalog/current/academics

CS Department policies http://www.cs.uaf.edu/departmental-policies/

Disabilities Services:

The UAF Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and ensures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the UAF Office of Disability Services (208 WHITAKER BLDG, 474-5655) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.