There are several optional texts for the class: Advanced Animation & Rendering Technique by Watt and Watt, Art Of 3-D Computer Animation & Imaging by Kerlow, Disney Animation: The Illusion Of Life by Thomas and Johnston [out of print], Computer Facial Animation by Parke and Waters, On Film Editing by Dmytryk. Because students take this class with a variety of different backgrounds, I have ordered a number of books in the hope that at least one will be interesting for every student. The textbooks will be supplemented by handouts in class.
Disney Animation: The Illusion Of Life by Thomas and Johnston isn't
available from the bookstore but appears to be available from
Barnes and Noble
| Week of | Mon | Wed |
| March 30 | No class | Introduction and overview of animation Supplemental Reading |
| April 6 |
Principles of Animation Introduction to Keyframing Reading: Watt and Watt pp345-368 Reading: Kerlow pp237-246 Reading: Thomas and Johnston pp15-44 |
Keyframing (Alias) Assignment 1 out (Intro) Guest Lecturer: Victor Zordan |
| April 13 |
Euler Angles and Quaternions Guest Lecturer: Bobby Bodenheimer Kinematics and Inverse Kinematics Lecturer: Jessica Hodgins Reading: Watt and Watt pp369-384 Reading: Zhao and Badler, TOG 1994 |
Motion Capture Technology Reading: Kerlow pp275-281 Reading: White Paper from SGI Project Proposal due (Advanced) |
| April 20 | Processing and Modifying Motion Capture Data Guest Lecturer: Bobby Bodenheimer Reading: The Process of Motion Capture: Dealing with the Data Computer Animation and Simulation '97. Proceedings of the Eurographics Workshop. |
Modifying Motion Capture Data Storyboards |
| April 27 |
Storyboard for Alien Occurrence Scene Composition |
Lighting and
Editing Assignment 1 due (Intro) First Progress Report (Advanced) Assignment 2 out (Intro) |
| May 4 | Simulation of Passive Objects Supplemental Reading |
Rendering for Animation Guest Lecturer: Bobby Bodenheimer |
| May 11 | Rigid Body Dynamics and Control Second Progress Report (Advanced) |
Control of Animated Humans |
| May 18 | Automatic Generation of Control Assignment 2 in (Intro) |
Geri's Game Guest Speaker: Wayne Wooten Pixar Assignment 3 out (Intro) |
| May 25 | Holiday | High Level Behaviors |
| June 1 |
Guest Speaker: Jerome Solomon Rhythm and Hues |
Facial Animation Assignment 3 due (Intro) |
| June 10 | |
Advanced Project Presentations 8:00-10:50am |
Introductory students will do three programs (due on the dates listed on the syllabus). You have 5 late days that you may use for any of the programs during the quarter but further extensions require an excellent excuse. Grading will be based on programs (85%), and class participation (15%).
The three introductory assignments will be
Advanced students will complete a project of their own design. One page project proposals are due during the third week of classes. During the quarter the students must turn in two project updates (on the dates marked on the syllabus). A final presentation of the projects will be made during the final exam period (or during an earlier class period for graduating students). A written description of the project will be due at the time of the final presentation. Grading will be based on projects (60%), class participation (15%), paper presentation (25%).
All projects and programs will be turned in on videotape and as movie files (with the assistance of the TA).