AstroGraphics Project

AstroGraphics is a Vulkan-based graphics project that simulates the liftoff of a spacecraft and allows the user to control it in a space scene with planets, asteroids, satellites and the sun. The project features a real-time rendering engine using shaders and Vulkan pipelines. This project was developed for the Computer Graphics exam at the Polytechnic of Milan in the academic year 2023/2024.

Features

• Spacecraft Liftoff Simulation: Initiate a countdown and experience a realistic launch sequence.
• Vulkan-based Rendering: Uses Vulkan API for high-performance graphics.
• Space Exploration: Navigate the spacecraft in a dynamic space environment.
• Shader-Based Lighting: Implements Blinn, Emission, Skybox, and Normal mapping shaders.
• Collision Detection: Detects collisions between the spacecraft and scene objects.
• Dynamic Camera Views: Switch between different camera perspectives.

Requirements

• Vulkan SDK
• GLFW
• GLM (OpenGL Mathematics)
• C++ Compiler (GCC, Clang, or MSVC)
• CMake
• CLion (for development setup)

Installation

1. Copy the repository directly from CLion:

   • Open CLion and select New Project from Version Control.
   • Enter the repository URL and clone it.
   • The project will be automatically set up in CLion.

2. Install dependencies:

   • Ensure Vulkan SDK is installed and properly configured.
   • Install GLFW and GLM:

     sudo apt install libglfw3-dev
     sudo apt install libglm-dev

3. Configure the libraries in CMakeLists.txt:

   • Open CMakeLists.txt and ensure the paths to Vulkan, GLFW, and GLM are correctly set.
   • Modify any necessary library paths based on your system configuration.

4. Build the project in CLion:

   • Click on Build in the CLion toolbar.
   • Ensure CMake is configured correctly.

5. Run the application:

   ./AstroGraphics

Shader Compilation

Before running the project, check that the shaders are already compiled:

./compileShaders.bat   # Windows
sh compileShaders.sh   # Linux/macOS

Controls

• SPACE: Start the launch sequence.
• ESC: Quit the application.
• V: Print debug information.
• 1, 2: Switch camera views.
• 3, 4: Toggle between look-in and look-at modes.
• W, A, S, D: Move the spacecraft.
• SHIFT: Increase movement speed.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.