Assignment 2

DUE: Tuesday, 14 October 2003, 12:00 noon
  (electronically, to depape@buffalo.edu)

There are 2 required parts to this program:

1. Create a simple, moving vehicle that uses hierarchical transformations.
The overall vehicle should be able to move around as a unit, and it should have at least two sub-parts that rotate.

For example, a car with spinning wheels, or an aircraft with spinning propellers.

The vehicle should start off standing still.
When the spacebar is pressed, it should start moving.
If the spacebar is pressed again, it should stop.

2. Allow the camera to track the vehicle.

By default, the camera should remain still.
If the 'c' key is pressed, have the camera move so that it is continually looking at the vehicle.
(Note: you can do this in either of two ways: translate the camera along with the vehicle, or turn it to always face the vehicle.)

Extra credit (up to 20%) will be given for any of the following optional features:

• Provide controls for the vehicle's motion (e.g. use the arrow keys to steer, move up and down, and/or accelerate and decelerate).
• Create an interesting world for the vehicle to travel through.
• Provide multiple camera modes, which can be stepped through with the 'c' key: standing still, moving with the vehicle, turning to face the vehicle, and a viewpoint from inside the vehicle looking out.

Grad students (DMS 523) are required to do the first of the options above [provide controls for the vehicle], as part of the basic assignment (i.e. it's not extra credit). Extra points will still be given for the other optional features.

E-mail your program to me at depape@buffalo.edu
Be sure to include your name, and the OS you wrote the program on, in comments in the code.