Quaternions Are Friends, Not Food: Pro-Tips for Understanding and Usage

"Since Hamilton’s discovery in 1843, the mechanics of quaternions for 3D rotations have been a mystery to almost everyone. In the past couple of decades, with the emergence of modern game technology, developers have begun to value them more and more. Now they appear in every commercial and proprietary game engine, in some form or another. Many developers ask: How do they actually work? Why should I know more about them? How do I use them to improve my code, design, and art? This talk will explore a handful of easily digested pro-tips that place quaternions in any nutritious breakfast."

Dan Buckstein is an Assistant Professor for Game Programming at Champlain College.