From pixels to scene graphs in introductory computer graphics courses

Abstract

The field of computer graphics is expanding and evolving rapidly. Past computer graphics courses addressed low-level topics such as line drawing algorithms (Computers and Graphics 2000;24(1):151–155) while the graphics industry has moved toward scene graph representations of three-dimensional scenes. This discrepancy has moved some educators to suggest graphics courses exclude 2D topics for concentration on 3D. This paper suggests that such a switch is unnecessary and provides a course outline blending old and new topics to provide breadth and relevancy without abandoning the basics.