Module: 3D Interface Technologies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	3D Interface Technologies
Module Code	EEN1057 (ITS: EE497)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This module deals with the visualisation of / interaction with acquired and synthetic 3D data. The topics covered include: 3D data acquisition, the mathematical fundamentals of 3D graphics, 3D application development for web and mobile platforms, rendering techniques for use with volumetric data and advanced 3D visualisation systems. The assessment of the module consists of a terminal examination and an assignment where the student created a bespoke sensor driven immersive 3D visualisation system.

Learning Outcomes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Weekly Lectures
Assignment Completion	47	Implementation time associated with completing the assignment
Independent Study	104.5	Preparation time for the assignment and the terminal exam
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	20718	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Robert Sadleir	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21152	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Robert Sadleir	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Development of a sensor driven immersive 3D visualisation system for interacting with medical image data	25%	Week 6
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	75%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

3D Computer Graphics
Mathematical fundamentals of 3D computer graphics: Manipulation of 2D & 3D data structures, Transformations, Vector Geometry, Matrix algebra. OpenGL ES / WebGL: Scene graphs, Transformations , Geometry, Appearance, Lighting, Texture mapping, Animation, Interaction.

Mobile Platforms for 3D Visualisation
o The android platform, application development tools and concepts, application components, the manifest file, intents, the activity lifecycle, user interface components, event handling, layouts, fragments, data storage, interfacing with sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, camera), 2D and 3D interfaces.

3D Display Systems
Stereo visualisation: Shutter glasses, Autostereoscopic displays. Volumetric displays, Augmented reality, Sensor driven immersive 3D visualisation

3D Data Acquisition
Medical Modalities: CT, MR, PET, SPECT, 3D Ultrasound. Industrial Systems: Contact approaches, Laser scanners, 3D Data formats

Volume Visualisation
Indirect volume rendering: The marching cubes algorithm. Direct volume rendering: Image-order rendering: Maximum intensity projection, volume ray casting. Object-order rendering: Splatting. Hybrid approaches: Shear-warp factorisation. Optimisation techniques: Empty space skipping, early ray termination

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None