Francis Palma Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) Computer Graphics and Gaming Simulation, Graphics, Gaming, and Other Applications Francis Palma Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU)

Who Is Francis? Research Scientist 2016- Postdoc Fellow 2015-2016 PhD in Software Engineering 2011-2015 Research Collaborator 2010-2011 2008-2010 MSc in Computer Science 2006-2008 Database Analyst & MIS Specialist 2001-2005 BSc in Computer Science and Engineering

Computer Graphics and Gaming Goals of this Lecture Simulation and Model Types of Simulation Computer Graphics Color Models Computer Aided Design (CAD) Computer Gaming Game Engine Game Design and Development Ethical Issues May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming SIMULATION, Graphics, Gaming, and Other Applications

Computer Graphics and Gaming What is Simulation? A powerful technique to study complex systems More formally: “Simulation is the development of a model of a complex system and the experimental manipulation of the model to the observe the results” Computer simulations have been used to help in decision making since the mid- 1950s Building computer models of complex systems allow decision-makers to develop an understanding of the performance of the systems over time. For example: Number of tellers should a bank have? What is the weather going to be tomorrow? What is the optimal place to put a new fire station? May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming (Complex) Systems The groups (collections) of objects or entities interacting in some way Examples of systems A collection of hardware and software form a computer system A collection of tracks and railway cards form a railroad system A collection of teachers and students form a school system Systems that are best suited to simulation should be Dynamic Interactive Complicated May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming What is a Model? A model is an abstraction of a real world system A model is representation of objects within a system and the rules that govern the behavior of the objects The representation can be concrete or abstract Spaceship or flight simulators are concrete representations Computer programs are abstract representations Models are built for simulation purposes and there are two different types of simulation Discrete Event Simulation: time is a discrete variable Continuous Simulation: time is a continuous variable May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Discrete Event Simulation Calculation and analysis are performed for every change of events Made up of entities, attributes, and events Entities are objects in the real system Attributes are characteristics of entities Events are interactions between entities The Parteto’s law: In every set of entities, there exists a vital few and a trivial many. Approximately, 80% of the behavior of a system can be explained by the action of 20% of the components If we apply object-oriented design while building an abstract model The classes are the entities The properties of the classes are the attributes The responsibilities (or methods) are the interactions May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

An Example of Discrete Event Simulation Queuing system: A first-in first-out structure To construct a queuing model, we require The number of events The number of servers The distribution of arrival times to determine if an entity enters the system The expected service time to determine the duration of an event An example of simulation for a bank system Entities: a server (teller), objects being served (customers), and a queue Events: arrivals and departures of customers Attributes (to be observed): average waiting time for entities (customers) May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Continuous Simulation Treat time as continuous and express changes in terms of a set of differential equations Meteorological modeling falls into this category The characteristics of weather models are wind components, temperature, water vapor, cloud formation, precipitation, and so on The interaction of these components over time can be modeled by a set of partial differential equations measure the rate of change of each component May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

An Example of Continuous Simulation Meteorological models (for weather forecasting) May-23-19

Computer Graphics and Gaming Simulation, GRAPHICS, Gaming, and Other Applications

What is Computer Graphics? Computer graphics generally is about setting of pixel values on the computer screen A combination of computers, science, and arts What is the most common application of computer graphics? Answer: Graphical User Interface (GUI) of modern operating systems Other applications of computer graphics: Word processors and desktop publishing software, graphical Illustrations in user’s manuals, design and manufacturing of products, painting programs and image manipulation software, scientific visualization, medical imaging, and so on On the fun side, computer graphics include computer games, animated films, or special effects. But, they also include complexity: The interaction of lights and objects Modeling the shapes of simple/complex objects Movements of objects May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Some Definitions to Know The simulation of light interacting at one point on an object is called an illumination model The process of using an illumination model to determine the appearance of an entire object is called a shading model or just shading The process of creating an entire image is called rendering May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Modeling Complex Objects in Computer Graphics Terrain can be modeled with fractal or erosion models The fractal model uses a technique called midpoint subdivision where one begins with a triangular patch and each side of the triangle is subdivided at the midpoint and extra edges are added between these points. The process is repeated Alternatively, the erosion model subdivides triangle edges at a random point The shape of skin can be modeled using an advanced technique called implicit surfaces May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Moving from Images to Videos Games and animated films are collection of images An (animated) film uses 24 images per second Thus, a 60 minute film requires 86,400 images In general, how many images a video uses per second? 30 images per second Thus, a 60 minute video requires 108,000 images May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Color Models: RGB vs. CMY The most common model in computer graphics that specifies red, green, and blue components of a color An additive color model that creates a range of colors by adding various intensities of red, green, and blue light Fully intense red, green, and blue added together give white If none of these colors are present, the result is black Good for color mixing May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Color Models: RGB vs. CMY Unlike the RGB, the Cyan-Magenta-Yellow (CMY) model is a subtractive color model The more that an element is added, the more that it subtracts from white Good for toners in printers CMY and RGB are convertible to each other May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Computer-aided design (CAD) refers to a system that uses computers with advanced graphics hardware and software to create precision drawings or technical illustrations CAD systems can be broadly classified as two-dimensional (2D) and three- dimensional (3D) CAD 2D CAD systems are electronic drawing boards, replacing paper, pencil, and the T-square 3D CAD is also called geometric modeling and most generated using software There are three methods of modeling in three dimensions: Wireframe modeling: Represents objects by line elements that provide exact information about edges, corners, and surface discontinuities Surface modeling: Defines precisely the outside of the object being modeled Solid modeling: The interior volume and mass of an object can be defined May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Wireframe Model vs. Solid Model May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming Simulation, Graphics, GAMING, and Other Applications

Classification of Games Computer Gaming Computer Gaming A computer simulation of a virtual world that draws players into the world as participants Virtual World An interactive and computer generated world Also known as a digital or simulated world Resemble the real-world including applying it rules and laws The Knowledge and skills that are required to create virtual world Computer graphics Artificial intelligence Human-computer interaction Simulation Software engineering, and Computer security Fundamentals of mathematics Classification of Games Use of Platform: Nintendo 64 or Microsoft Xbox Genres (based on the gameplay/experience): Action, Fighting, Shooter, Adventure, Life simulation, Role-paying, and Strategy games May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Creating a Virtual World: Game Engine What is a Game Engine? A game engine is a software system within which games can be created A game engine provide tools with the following functionalities: A rendering engine for graphics A physics engine to provide a collision detection system and dynamics simulation to solve the problems related to forces affecting the simulated objects A sound-generating component A scripting language apart from the code driving the game The animation The artificial intelligence algorithms (e.g. path finding algorithms) A scene graph (e.g. data structure to hold spatial representation in a graphical scene Collectively, these enable the game developer to create the virtual world of a game May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Creating a Virtual World: Game Engine (cont.) A renderer visualizes a scene by putting the environment on the screen for the user to view A physics engine simulates models based on Newtonian physics using mass, velocity, friction, and wind resistance calculations The collision detection algorithms check the accuracy of collision points or the intersection of two solids The artificial intelligence provides the illusion of intelligence in the behavior and action of non-player characters, e.g., human thought and decision making May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming QICI Game Engine May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Game Design and Development Game design document Story line, characters, environment, and so on Either 2D or 3D game 3D images are created through the process of rendering Rendering is using computer programs to generate an image from a model One relevant question: “What is the difference between rendering and simulation”? Answer: Simulation is imitating a real-world operation, process, or system Important: gaming design and development is an evolving process May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming Game Programming One of the last but most time-consuming steps in game development Java is the most common language for Android games Apple mostly use Objective C Other languages include C#, JavaScript, or Lua Custom languages: UnrealScript (or UScript) developed by Epic Games in 1998 The coding begins with the creation of game loop, which manages the game world regardless of user input The game loop, for example, continuously update enemy movement, check for the winning conditions, update game elements, and process provided input May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming Game Development Team Senior Engine Programmer Write and maintain the code for game loop Design in-game engine editors Take care of file formats for 2D/3D art packages and audio/video files 3D Software Programmer Design and implement the 3D graphics component User Interface Programmer Works on the APIs in the game engine May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Computer Graphics and Gaming Ethical Issues An addiction to video gaming Symptoms of addiction like other disorders: Problems at school or work Lying to family and friends Decreased attention to personal health Carpel tunnel syndrome Dry eyes Failure to stop playing games, and Sleep disturbance How the addiction is caused? Particularly for individuals who need to form human connections May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Ethical Issues: Some Statistics A study by McLean Hospital in Massachusetts suggests that 40% of World of Warcraft players are addicted Harris Interactive Poll suggests that teenage males spend on average per week about five hours more than teenage females (2007) Moreover, 8.5% of the teens surveyed were classified as ‘clinically addicted’ to playing video games In 2005, China issued a restriction on the length of time that users can play online video games to maximum three hours per day May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

Other Related Materials Chapter 14 Chapter 1 Chapters 1 & 2 May-23-19 Computer Graphics and Gaming

A Short Quiz