Java 2D is an Object Oriented API intended to provide a highly programmable feature set for the creation of 2D graphics, which is abstracted above the lower-level APIs such as OpenGL. Our goal is to study the API, run some of the demos, then select an area to explore futher and demonstrate in class, and finally, to explore the implementation basis underlying the API. This will introduce the conventional OpenGL pipeline.
- Install Eclipse and, if you are not familiar with it, try a few simple Java programs to get used to it.
- Study the introductory descriptions of Java 2D and select some demos to run and examine their source code. Note that you can download a zip of the whole collection of sample programs.
- Note that there are distinct categories of sample programs (arcs & curves, clipping, colors, transforms, etc.). Choose two sample programs that appeal to you. Submit your two choices to me by return email (first come first served) and we'll try to cover the major aspects of the API. Be prepared to explain the demo programs (two) and build some expertise in them for Friday.
- As soon as I get your proposed topics (e.g., "Hi, I want to study "Eclipse 2D" and "Animation of compositing shapes, etc.") I will see if I can accommodate either your first or second choice and get right back to you. On Wednesday we can do a broad overview of the API and on Friday 4/11 we'll do presentations on these topics, likely finishing off on Monday. For Friday, we'll run your variations on the sample program. For instance, it has been helpful to try to "stress test" the API, seeing how well the sample program scales (e.g., increasing the number of elements to be displayed).
- The next part of the assignment will be to reflect on the API in terms of the underlying architecture, but that's a subsequent assignment to follow soon.