John Trent
3D Graphics: Application to explore advanced 3D graphics techiques

Title:

The Investigation of OpenGL and the Development of an Application Involving 
Advanced Concepts

Objective:

The purpose of this experiment is to develop an improved understanding of 
OpenGL and to produce an application, which demonstrates use of advanced 
concepts in OpenGL. During the course of my work, I plan to carefully note 
my progress as I learn more and more about OpenGL. After having attained a 
greater understanding of OpenGL, I plan to create an application, which 
utilizes OpenGL heavily and displays a high degree of understanding of OpenGL.

Justification:

I plan to well document my research as I make progress in my gradual 
comprehension of OpenGL. One of my goals in this project is that other 
individuals who share a common interest in OpenGL will be able to use my 
research to help them in their own goals, endeavors, and future senior 
research projects pertaining to OpenGL. Furthermore, graphics is a topic that 
I am deeply interested in and could potentially pursue a career in. This 
project would be a great opportunity and would serve to better my 
understanding of graphics.

Description:

I plan to begin my research of OpenGL early possibly during the course of 
junior year and most definitely during the summer so that I will be able to 
quickly reach the more advanced topics during the course of my senior 
research period. I plan to first begin my research by going through multiple 
tutorials and grasping some of the fundamentals of OpenGL. During this 
period of my research, I also plan to develop some minor applications and 
programs. Once I feel I have attained a sufficient understanding of OpenGL, 
I plan on starting work on a final application with heavy use of the concepts 
that I have learned. At this point, one possible idea for a final program is 
that of a rich, interactive environment demonstrating an exemplary 
employment of OpenGL. Some of the concepts of OpenGL that I hope to 
have mastered are mip-mapping, blending, texture mapping, and lighting.

Limitations:

At this point in time, I do not foresee any major limitations. In terms of 
funding and possible lack of resources, I am currently under the impression 
that all of the current software and hardware present in the computer 
systems lab will prove quite sufficient. The only possible limitation I can 
think of would be time. I hope to achieve a good understanding of the 
more advanced topics of OpenGL, which may take up too much time for 
an adequate final application to be completed. However, I plan on starting 
my research early in order to combat this.