Enter The Matrix

In Introduction to 3D graphics programming last week I was playing with the matrix. Ok, so its not as fun as it sounds. A matrix is a array of numbers used in maths to denote objects or transformations.

Last Tuesday I programmed a matrix class that will be used in my 3D rendering program. It is built to use 4 dimensional matrices. As the third dimension is perpendicular to the second , the forth dimension is perpendicular to the third.

Here is a two dimensional representation of a 4 dimensional object, the so called "Hypercube".

In graphics programming you use matrices called "Transformation" matrices to move and change the shape and size of 3D objects.

This week we will be learning about the virtual camera, the way you view the 3D world and the way it is represented as a 2 dimensional image on your screen.

The Course

In this post I'm gonna run you through the course i am on. I realise that i should have started this blog a few weeks ago but in all honesty i have been out partying... I will fill you in on what i have been up to on my course from when i started till now in some later posts.

As i have said before a BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming degree at Derby University. The course consists of 3 years at uni with a compulsory year out in industry between the 2nd and 3rd year. The modules you do each sumester run something like this.

I am sure that these modules hold many amazingly interesting and exciting things but for the moment i am only qualified to explain what the first semesters modules involve.

Ludology
Ludology literally means the study (ology) of games (Ludo being the Latin word of games). In this module we look at a wide range of subject with-in games, including information about the games industry, where it is going and where the money is. We learn about games as an art form, the indie games movement and i am such that I will learn much more in the weeks to come.

Software Development I
Software Development I is a module that is done by most of the school of computing. This module consists of learning to program in C# from the ground up. The idea of this module is that you need no prior knowledge of programming at the start in order to pick up programming in C# and become a programmer. That is not to say that prior knowledge does not help you in this module. I studied A level Computing at Brockenhurst Sixform College where i learnt to program in Visual Basic.NET. This has helped me in this module allot and i am currently finding the work very easy although still interesting.


Computer Architecture
Like Software Development I, Computer Architecture is a module that is done by most of the school of computing students. This module is all about the hardware of your computer from the perspective of a software engineer. Once again studying A Level Computing at Brockenhurst Six form College has helped me hugely in this module. I have already studied allot of the stuff this module covers, including number systems, microprocessors, and, Compilers, interpreters and virtual machines.


Basic Maths Technique
This module did worry me when i saw it at first but in all honest if you have any knowledge of basic calculus then this module is a breeze. If you don't know about calculus then all is not lost because the module leader does clam that you should have to know no more than GCSE mathematics to get into this module and learn from it. I on the other hand have been watching people struggle with the maths, these are the people who have not done maths at A Level. If you are dedicated enough and spend enough time at maths clinics and working through the tutorial work then it is possible to do well in this module though, do not be scared.

The Computing Environment
The Computing Environment is still somewhat of a mystery to me. Basically its a module with one semesters work spread over two semesters with lectures running once a fortnight for the whole year. The module itself in general to the school of computing and almost everyone has to do it. The good news however is that if you are on the CGP (computer games programming) then your tutorials will be lead by one of the games lecturers and they try their best to make the stuff in the general lecture relate to games. For instance studying research papers on AI programming in games rather than studying a paper on router technology that networking students may have to study. Apart from that i cant tell you much more other than that so far we have read papers and discussed the referencing systems in them learnt about the Harvard system of referencing. Luckly for me i studied this system of referencing in A Level Archeaology.


I will update you one work that i get for these modules and maybe i will be able to tell u exactly what you do in computing environment soon.