GraphicsMentor: a tool for learning graphics fundamentals

This paper discusses the functionality of GraphicsMentor. GraphicsMentor permits a student to modify many parameters of the camera, objects, and light sources interactively, and to visualize the rendered result on-thefly. It also supports basic keyframe animation. With GraphicsMentor, a student should be able to grasp the fundamentals of computer graphics quickly and easily in a learning-by-doing way. 1 Motivation Hoare once said, "You can't teach beginning programmers top-down design because they don't know which way is up." Similarly, we cannot teach graphics programming to beginners because they do not know if their programs function properly before knowing what the anticipated effect would be. Thus, "I do and I understand" (Lao-Tzu) is not enough for learning graphics, and we should add "I see and I remember" for a beginner to recognize what is correct and what is not. Our experience shows that many students have difficulties in camera setup...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: SIGCSE
• Authors: Dejan Nikolic, Ching-Kuang Shene
• Keywords: Basic Keyframe Animation, Education, Light Sources, Programmers Top-down Design, SIGCSE 2002