Title:          High-performance ray tracing for dynamic scenes
Time:           T/Th 3:30-5:00
Location:       GEO 2.202
Co-Instructors: Bill Mark and Don Fussell

Description:

Currently, most real-time image generation systems rely on the
Z-buffer visbility algorithm, but the alternative ray tracing approach
has the potential to generate higher-quality images.  Recently,
researchers have demonstrated that real-time raytracing has become
computationally feasible, but most effort has been focused on static
scenes.  In this seminar, we will focus on the more challenging
and relevant problem of raytracing dynamic scenes.  We will take a
whole-system approach to the problem, covering a variety of topics
including rendering algorithms and data structures, scene management,
and parallelization.

Class format:

The class will be taught in a seminar-style format.  Some classes
(especially at the beginning) will be lectures presented by the
instructors, but most classes will consist of students presenting one or
two papers.

Assignments:

- Programming assignments (beginning and middle of semester)
- A significant final project (end of semester) -- the majority of the
    grade
- In-class presentations of papers (throughout semester)

Prerequisites:  None, other than graduate standing or permission of
                instructor. A previous graphics class is useful but
                not required; we will quickly review the necessary
                graphics material.  Familiarity with computer
                organization and architecture at the level covered in
                typical undergraduate curricula is expected.

Topics:
	- introduction to graphics, rendering and ray tracing
	- basic ray tracing algorithms
	- spatial partitioning structures to accelerate ray tracing
	- scene management systems (e.g. "scene graph", "game engine")
	- procedural geometry: displacement and subdivision
	- working-set management for ray casting
	- parallelization of ray casting
	- parallel construction of spatial data structures
	- geometric level-of-detail techniques