Open source solutions for multiplatform graphics programming

New emerging technologies in the recent decade have brought new options to cross platform computer graphics development. This master thesis took a look for cross platform 3D graphics development possibilities. All platform dependent and non real time solutions were excluded. WebGL and two different OpenGL based solutions were assessed via demo application by using most recent development tools. In the results pros and cons of the each solutions were noted.

Design and implementation of a 3D computer game controller using inertial MEMS sensors

Though 3D computer graphics has seen tremendous advancement in the past two decades, most available mechanisms for computer interaction in 3D are high cost and targeted for industry and virtual reality applications. Recent advances in Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) devices have brought forth a variety of new low-cost, low-power, miniature sensors with high accuracy, which are well suited for hand-held devices. In this work a novel design for a 3D computer game controller using inertial sensors is proposed, and a prototype device based on this design is implemented. The design incorporates MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes from Analog Devices to measure the three components of the acceleration and angular velocity. From these sensor readings, the position and orientation of the hand-held compartment can be calculated using numerical methods. The implemented prototype is utilizes a USB 2.0 compliant interface for power and communication with the host system. A Microchip dsPIC microcontroller is used in the design. This microcontroller integrates the analog to digital converters, the program memory flash, as well as the core processor, on a single integrated circuit. A PC running Microsoft Windows operating system is used as the host machine. Prototype firmware for the microcontroller is developed and tested to establish the communication between the design and the host, and perform the data acquisition and initial filtering of the sensor data. A PC front-end application with a graphical interface is developed to communicate with the device, and allow real-time visualization of the acquired data.

Rendering Falling Leaves on Graphics Hardware

There is a growing interest in simulating natural phenomena in computer graphics applications. Animating natural scenes in real time is one of the most challenging problems due to the inherent complexity of their structure, formed by millions of geometric entities, and the interactions that happen within. An example of natural scenario that is needed for games or simulation programs are forests. Forests are difficult to render because the huge amount of geometric entities and the large amount of detail to be represented. Moreover, the interactions between the objects (grass, leaves) and external forces such as wind are complex to model. In this paper we concentrate in the rendering of falling leaves at low cost. We present a technique that exploits graphics hardware in order to render thousands of leaves with different falling paths in real time and low memory requirements.

A computer graphic technique for finding numerical methods for ordinary differential equations.

On cover: COO-1469-0106.

A graphics interpreter language /

"C00-2383-0019."

A graphics display language,

Issued also as thesis (M.S.), University of Illinois.

Graphics one terminal design and user's manual /

Mode of access: Internet.

Graphics 8; graphics hardware-1469 gear

"Supported in part by grant U.S. AEC AT(11-1) 1469."

A note on a gamma distribution computer program and computer produced graphs /

"NOAA--S/T 77-2535"

A note on a gamma distribution computer program /

Mode of access: Internet.

A computer-controlled graphical display processor /

"This report reproduces a thesis of the same title submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science."--p. v

Data Disc control: Graphics 8,

"COO-1469-0152. File no. 818."

Resultados preliminares de um sistema de topografia de grande-ângulo usando videoceratógrafo com discos de Plácido

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver a instrumentação e o "software" para topografia de córnea de grande-ângulo usando o tradicional disco de Plácido. O objetivo é permitir o mapeamento de uma região maior da córnea para topógrafos de córnea que usem a técnica de Plácido, fazendo-se uma adaptação simples na mira. MÉTODOS: Utilizando o tradicional disco de Plácido de um topógrafo de córnea tradicional, 9 LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) foram adaptados no anteparo cônico para que o paciente voluntário pudesse fixar o olhar em diferentes direções. Para cada direção imagens de Plácido foram digitalizadas e processadas para formar, por meio de algoritmo envolvendo elementos sofisticados de computação gráfica, um mapa tridimensional completo da córnea toda. RESULTADOS: Resultados apresentados neste trabalho mostram que uma região de até 100% maior pode ser mapeada usando esta técnica, permitindo que o clínico mapeie até próximo ao limbo da córnea. São apresentados aqui os resultados para uma superfície esférica de calibração e também para uma córnea in vivo com alto grau de astigmatismo, mostrando a curvatura e elevação. CONCLUSÃO: Acredita-se que esta nova técnica pode propiciar a melhoria de alguns processos, como por exemplo: adaptação de lentes de contato, algoritmos para ablações costumizadas para hipermetropia, entre outros.

Building a Open Source Framework for Virtual Medical Training

This paper presents a framework to build medical training applications by using virtual reality and a tool that helps the class instantiation of this framework. The main purpose is to make easier the building of virtual reality applications in the medical training area, considering systems to simulate biopsy exams and make available deformation, collision detection, and stereoscopy functionalities. The instantiation of the classes allows quick implementation of the tools for such a purpose, thus reducing errors and offering low cost due to the use of open source tools. Using the instantiation tool, the process of building applications is fast and easy. Therefore, computer programmers can obtain an initial application and adapt it to their needs. This tool allows the user to include, delete, and edit parameters in the functionalities chosen as well as storing these parameters for future use. In order to verify the efficiency of the framework, some case studies are presented.

Making developmental biology relevant to undergraduates in an era of economic rationalism in Australia

This report describes the road map we followed at our university to accommodate three main factors: financial pressure within the university system; desire to enhance the learning experience of undergraduates; and motivation to increase the prominence of the discipline of developmental biology in our university. We engineered a novel, multi-year undergraduate developmental biology program which was student-oriented, ensuring that students were continually exposed to the underlying principles and philosophy of this discipline throughout their undergraduate career. Among its key features are introductory lectures in core courses in the first year, which emphasize the relevance of developmental biology to tissue engineering, reproductive medicine, therapeutic approaches in medicine, agriculture and aquaculture. State-of-the-art animated computer graphics and images of high visual impact are also used. In addition, students are streamed into the developmental biology track in the second year, using courses like human embryology and courses shared with cell biology, which include practicals based on modern experimental approaches. Finally, fully dedicated third-year courses in developmental biology are undertaken in conjunction with stand-alone practical courses where students experience first-hand work in a research laboratory. Our philosophy is a cradle-to-grave approach to the education of undergraduates so as to prepare highly motivated, enthusiastic and well-educated developmental biologists for entry into graduate programs and ultimately post-doctoral research.