Computer Graphics Engine

Introduction

This project aims to build a graphics engine capable of rendering both 2D and 3D objects using various graphical techniques. By parsing configuration files (.ini format), the engine generates images based on the specified properties and instructions. The project includes multiple exercises covering topics like color rectangles, blocks, 2D and 3D line drawings, transformations, and fractals.

Created for the "Computer Graphics" 1st bachelor course at the University of Antwerp.

Features

1. 2D Image Rendering

   • Color rectangles.
   • Checkerboard patterns (blocks).
   • 2D line drawings (QuarterCircle, Eye, Diamond).

2. 3D Line Drawings

   • Basic wireframe models with rotation, scaling, and translation.
   • Eye-point transformation and perspective projection.

3. 3D Objects

   • Platonic solids (Cube, Tetrahedron, Octahedron, Icosahedron, Dodecahedron).
   • Cylinders, cones, spheres, and tori.
   • Fractals based on 3D solids.

4. Z-buffering

   • Z-buffering with lines and triangles.
   • Backface culling for optimizing rendering performance.

5. Lighting and Shadowing

   • Ambient and diffuse lighting.
   • Specular reflection for glossy surfaces.
   • Shadow rendering for point light sources.

6. Texture Mapping

   • Basic texture mapping on surfaces.
   • Cube mapping for environment reflections.

Compilation Instructions

1. Make sure you have a C++ compiler (e.g., GCC or Clang).
2. Use CMake to configure and build the project.

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make

3. To run the engine:

./engine path_to_ini_file 

INI File Structure

The engine is driven by configuration files in the INI format. Each task (2D shapes, 3D figures, lighting) is specified using different sections and parameters.

Example INI File for a Cube:

[General]
type = "Wireframe"
size = 500
eye = (50, 50, 50)
backgroundcolor = (0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
nrFigures = 1

[Figure0]
type = "Cube"
scale = 1.0
rotateX = 30
rotateY = 45
rotateZ = 0
center = (0, 0, 0)
color = (1.0, 0.0, 0.0)

Example INI File for Z-Buffering with Lighting:

[General]
type = "LightedZbuffering"
size = 800
backgroundcolor = (0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
eye = (100, 100, 100)
nrLights = 1
nrFigures = 1

[Figure0]
type = "Cube"
ambientReflection = (0.2, 0.2, 0.2)
diffuseReflection = (0.6, 0.6, 0.6)
specularReflection = (0.8, 0.8, 0.8)
reflectionCoefficient = 20
scale = 2.0
rotateX = 45
rotateY = 45
rotateZ = 0
center = (0, 0, 0)

[Light0]
infinity = true
direction = (0, -1, -1)
ambientLight = (0.3, 0.3, 0.3)
diffuseLight = (0.6, 0.6, 0.6)
specularLight = (0.8, 0.8, 0.8)

Project Status

This section outlines the status of various functionalities implemented in this computer graphics engine. Each functionality is marked as:

• 👌 Working: Fully functional
• 👷 Partially Working: Implemented but with known issues (described below)
• ⛔ Not Working: Not implemented or non-functional

Functionaliteit	Status	Punten
1. 2D L-Systemen	👌	1
- Met haakjes	👌	0.125
- Stochastisch	👌	0.125
2. Transformaties	👌	1
- Eye-point	👌	0
- Projectie	👌	0
3. Platonische Lichamen	👌	0.75
- Kegel en Cylinder	👌	0
- Bol	👌	0
- Torus	👌	0
- 3D L-Systemen	👌	0.25
4. Z-buffering (lijnen)	👌	1
5. Triangulatie	👌	0.75
- Z-buffering (driehoeken)	👌	0.75
6. 3D Fractalen	👌	0.75
- BuckyBall	⛔	0.125
- Mengerspons	👌	0.125
- View Frustum	⛔	0.5
7. Ambient licht	👌	0.3
- Diffuus licht (oneindig)	👌	0.4
- Diffuus licht (puntbron)	👌	0
- Speculair licht	👌	0.4
8. Schaduw	👌	1
- Texture mapping	👌	0.75
9. Bollen en Cylinders	⛔	0.75
- UV-coördinaten	⛔	0.125
- Normaalvectoren	⛔	0.125
- Cube mapping	⛔	0.5
**10. Total Points	▶️	9.475

Texture Mapping Implementation

For the texture mapping feature, a texture can be applied to a figure, a light source (PointLight, InfLight & light), or both. Shadows and multiple light sources can be incorporated as well.

Input Parameters for Texture Mapping

The following parameters control the texture mapping:

type = "Texture"
textureName = "texture.bmp"

Example INI File for Texture Mapping

In the INI file below, texture mapping is applied only to the light source:

[General]
size = 4096
backgroundcolor = (0.01, 0.01, 0.01)
type = "Texture"
shadowMask = 8192
shadowEnabled = TRUE
nrLights = 1
eye = (-60, 30, 50)
nrFigures = 2

[Light0]
infinity = FALSE
textureName = "mars.bmp"
location = (0, 20, 30)
ambientLight = (1, 1, 1)
diffuseLight = (1, 1, 1)
specularLight = (1, 1, 1)

[Figure0]
type = "Sphere"
scale = 1
rotateX = 0
rotateY = 0
rotateZ = 0
center = (0, 0, 0)
n = 8
ambientReflection = (0.20, 0.20, 0.20)
diffuseReflection = (0.9, 0.9, 0.9)
specularReflection = (1, 1, 1)
reflectionCoefficient = 2

[Figure1]
type = "Sphere"
scale = 1.7
rotateX = 0
rotateY = 0
rotateZ = 0
center = (1.8, 0, 0)
n = 9
ambientReflection = (0.15, 0.15, 0.15)
diffuseReflection = (0.8, 0.8, 0.8)
specularReflection = (0.8, 0.8, 0.8)
reflectionCoefficient = 4

This will generate the following output: