Overview

This project is a real-time rendering application built in C++ using OpenGL, showcasing a dynamic scene that transitions between two distinct time periods. The scene is designed to demonstrate efficient rendering techniques, real-time animation, post-processing effects, and structured scene management using a scene graph.

The camera continuously orbits a central focal point—a TARDIS—while the environment transforms around it, shifting from a bright daytime landscape to a dark, snow-covered nighttime ruin.

Scene Description

Daytime Environment

The initial scene depicts a stylized island landscape under daylight conditions:

• A grass-covered terrain populated with thousands of blades of grass rendered using instanced rendering

• Animated grass movement simulating wind

• A fully constructed castle visible in the distance

• A blue skybox and a single primary light source providing daylight illumination

• Surrounding water that reflects the skybox to enhance environmental depth

Grass rendering uses a level-of-detail system, where distant grass progressively reduces animation, geometric complexity, and density to maintain performance.

Time Transition

At the midpoint of the scene, the environment transitions through a time-travel effect:

• All scene elements except the TARDIS are removed

• A wormhole effect appears behind the TARDIS, simulating travel through a time vortex

• A blur post-processing effect is applied at the start and end of the transition to reinforce motion and disorientation

This sequence acts as a visual and technical bridge between the two time periods.

Nighttime Environment

The final scene represents the same location in a later, decayed era:

• A darker skybox and reduced ambient lighting

• A secondary light source positioned near the TARDIS

• White, snow-covered grass replacing the original green terrain

• The distant castle now rendered as a ruin

• Snow particle effects falling across the scene to reinforce atmosphere

Rendering & Technical Features

• Implemented instanced rendering for large-scale vegetation

• Level-of-detail system controlling grass animation, mesh complexity, and distribution

• Scene transitions using real-time object management and post-processing effects

• Water rendering with skybox reflection

• Particle systems for environmental effects (snow)

• Scene management using a scene graph for efficient traversal and rendering

• Split-screen rendering with two simultaneous camera viewpoints

What This Project Demonstrates

• Strong understanding of real-time graphics programming in OpenGL

• Experience optimizing large-scale scenes through instancing and LOD techniques

• Ability to combine rendering, animation, post-processing, and scene management into a cohesive system

• Thoughtful visual storytelling through environmental transformation