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.
| Week of | Tue | Thur |
| April 1 | Introduction and overview of animation Supplemental Reading |
Motion Capture Technology |
| April 8 | Modifying Motion Capture Data |
Introduction to Keyframing Keyframing (Alias) Assignment 1 out (Intro) Project Proposal due (Advanced) Audio |
| April 15 | Storyboards Audio |
Scene Composition,
Editing, and
Lighting Audio |
| April 22 | Kinematics and Inverse Kinematics Guest Lecturer: Victor Zordan Audio |
Simulation of Passive Objects Supplemental Reading Assignment 1 due (I) First Progress Report (A) Audio |
| April 29 | Simulation of Passive Objects Guest Lecturer: James O'Brien Assignment 2 out (I) Slides for Paper Presentations due (A) Audio |
Rigid Body Dynamics Software Audio |
| May 6 | Paper Presentations Progress Reports Audio |
Paper Presentations Progress Reports Audio |
| May 13 | Paper Presentations Progress Reports Audio |
Paper Presentations Progress Reports Audio |
| May 20 | Control--Robots Assignment 2 in (I) Second Progress Report (A) No Audio |
Control--Human Motion Assignment 3 out (Intro) Audio |
| May 27 | High Level Behaviors Guest Lecturer: David Brogan Audio |
Facial Animation Guest Lecturer: Prof. Irfan Essa |
| June 3 | Automatic Generation of Control |
Avatars vs Autonomous Characters Assignment 3 due (I) |
| June 11 | Wednesday 8am Final Presentation (final exam slot) Final Progress Report (A) |
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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). In the 6th week of classes, the students will present a paper from the literature (usually related to the project) and a project update to the class. The slides for the paper presentation will be due one week before the presentation. 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).
Mike Glad is a Gatech alum and the owner of one of the largest and most diverse collections of animation cels in the world. He'll illustrate the history of animation with cels from his collection. The Alumni Magazine had an article on his collection in Spring '96.