Physical Science Frontiers: USEM 2C
Part III: Computational Physics Engines
Syllabus
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Week 1: 1/14
Overview and Intro to Computer Graphics and Physics Engines.
Intro to Blender: Neal Hirsig's 3D Design Course
Homework 1 will be to create a blender scene using the underlying Physics engine which demonstrates
the various joints and external force constraints placed on the system, e.g. you can build a seesaw
that throws a ball into a brick building which will then collapse. Another ball would go through a
bead curtain. Another ball would go push open a hinged door. Another would throw two objects and
have them hit each other and bounce off each other. This homework will be due in two weeks after you've
had a chance to learn some blender manipulation techniques and concepts.
For next week I encourage you to download blender on to your computer and watch the
Unit 1 video lectures in Neal Hirsig's Blender course at
http://gryllus.net/Blender/LearningUnits1_6.html
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Week 2: 1/21
Building simple games with Blender/Bullet.
Intro to the Blender Game Engine
HW1 is assigned and it is due
next Week (Wed 1/28/2009)
Readings: The Blender Game Engine
Links: Bullet Physics Contest 2007
Passive wolking robot
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Week 3: 1/28
Ray Tracing in Java.
Fundamental concepts. Linear Algebra for Graphics.
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Week 4: 2/4
Simulating Particle Systems.
Numerical simulation of ODEs in Java. Visualization of particle systems using OpenGL.
Simulating Particle systems with damped springs.
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Week 5: 2/11
Rigid Body Dynamics - theory and implementation
Linear and Angular Momentum. Equations of Motion.
Quaternions and Rotations
Pixar notes on Rigid Body Rotations
pdf
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Week 6: 2/18 FEBRUARY VACATION
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Week 7: 2/25
Collision and Contact - theory and implementation.
The remaining seven weeks will be on Chemistry:
3/4, 3/11, 3/18 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/29
Reading list