Marching Cubes for Teaching GLSL Programming

Abstract

This paper shares ideas for illustrating GLSL programming based on the classic Marching Cubes algorithm. The algorithm has a number of appealing aspects: it is feasible to implement as one of the components in a computer graphics course, it motivates naturally a number of GLSL concepts and constructs, and leaves the students with a sense of accomplishment having reproduced original research. The paper suggest possible variations and extensions that could form the basis for final group projects.