My first experience in programming assignment

As a student of School of Computer Engineering in NTU, my first programming assignment was given by professor He Yin who is lecturer of Computer Graphics subject.

The assignment was to make 3D readnering and transformations using C++ and OpenGL API. Actually, I didn't have any experience on OpenGL programming and I didn't know the ideas and characteristics of OpenGL API. Therefore, I had to read a lot of books and papers to understand OpenGL and to know how to connect OpenGL interfaces with C++ programming language.

The assignment had many parts. To load a given file which contains information for 3D model. To render it on screen using OpenGL and add some transformation operations to it. Finally, I had to add some interaction capabilities for user.

Reading and loading file was not difficult for me because it was pure C++ programming. But I needed to study and learn about OpenGL programming to finish this assignment. I went to professor and discussed with him on weekends. I tried hard for this assignment. I finished it and I could submit it before deadline.

I got many ideas and experiences about OpenGL API by doing this assignment. I also knew about many 3D transformation ideas. Before this assignment, I had experiences only on 2D graphics and transformations.

After I had submitted my assignment to professor, he sent back one feedback email to me. I was very happy for this email because he fully accepted my assignmet. Read the following email...

Hi Thiha
You have done an excellent job in PA1. Your mesh viewer looks pretty good. All the requirements are fully met. Also, I'd like to give you one extra credit for implementing both the transformation of the objects and camera.

Thus, your score of PA1 is 101 out of 100.
You are smart and hard-working, I believe you will do a wonderful work in your dissertation too!

HY

He Yin

Assistant Professor

I got full 100 marks plus 1 extra credit mark for adding extra functionality. Ha Ha. If I knew that he would give me extra marks for extra functions, I think I could add some other extra functionalities to my assignment.

I forwarded this email to my parents. Anyway, this email not only made me happy but also engouraged me to do my dissertation. I will continue my trying hard in my academic works.