Computer Animation

Computer Animation - Algorithms and Techniques

4003-572-39 / 4005-763-39

(Winter 2010-2011)

PROJECTS

List of projects for this quarter can be found here.

Schedule of project presentations can be found here.

Introduction

This course will investigate a number of programmable algorithms for computer animation. The field of computer animation is quite broad, far broader than can be covered in a 10 week course. Some topics will be covered in depth (those being the subject of the assignments), others will not. The project is a means for a student to investigate one of these other topics by implementing the technique in software.

The best learning comes from doing, thus the project you choose will be a most important means for getting familiar with one area, aspect, or technique of computer animation.

This particular offering of the course is unique in the sense that it will be offered in Second Life. All projects should be demonstratable in-world.

One can get started on picking a project by asking the question, "What would I like to do with animation?" Your project should be an attept to realizing whatever answer you came up with for this question.

Note that if you have an idea for a project but are unsure how you might go about doing it, please see the instructor early during the quarter and, together, we can see what we can work out.

Team projects are acceptable, however, the complexity of the project should reflect the number of members of the team and all team members are expected to contribute equally to the final project. There can be no more than 3 members on a team.

Ultimately, this project will provide an opportunity for each of you to get experience with whatever it was that interested you enough about Computer Animation to sign up for this course. So choose wisely and have fun!

Project Ideas

Below is a list of animation topics with the extent to which they will be covered in this course. Topics covered in depth will have a programming assignment associated with them. Enhancing the assignement to include a more advanced algorithm may be an acceptable project.

Topics that will be covered in depth (Assignments given)

Keyframing / Interpolation
Rigid Body Dynamics
Articulated Figure Motion

Forward Kinematics
Inverse Kinematics
Motion Capture

Group Behaviour

Flocking
Particle Systems

Topics that will be covered brielfly (Good fodder for projects)

Advanced character animation

Use of genetic algorithms
Procedural Gesturing
Levels of Control

Facial Animation

Topics that will not be covered

Automatic Camera Control
Animated Lighting
Animation of Natural Phenomenon (Fire, Smoke, Plants)
Animating surfaces

Soft objects
Cloth Animation
Hair and Fur

In addition, there are a number of topics related to personal projects that students are encouraged to consider. Interested students should contact the instructor for more info on these projects.

Pet Projects

motion Capture of hands and fingers
dynamic deogaurotype simulation on an iPad.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list. There are certainly many other areas of computer animation that you might consider.

A list of projects completed for previous offerings of this course can be obtained by clicking on the links below:

Project Deliverables

Proposal - The proposal is a short document that describes the project to be undertaken. Note that the proposal should include ideas on how the project might be implemented within SecondLife.

Mid-Quarter presentation - A quick 3-5 minute presentation that indicates your progress in completing your project. It is appropriate to include any unexpected problems you have run into, and any changes in the project scope based on these problems.

Project Code - This is the bulk of your work...essentially the implementation of your project.

Final Report - This is a written summary of the project. The report should be written as if you were going to pass the work on to another person. The report should have enough details so that one, upon reading it, will have a clear idea of what you set out to do, how you went about doing it, and what you didn't get to. It should be detailed enough so that the reader will be able to knowledgably start working on your code base after reading it.

Presentation / Demonstration The final exam for this course will be demonstration of the final projects during finals week and Week 10.

Students will also be given the opportunity to review each presentation via Peer Review.

Team Member Evaluations - For team projects, each member of the team will have the opportunity to rate the effectiveness of the other team members and give feedback on the effectiveness of the team as a whole. Teammate evaluation forms will be available via mycourses.

Project Grading

The project will be graded on a 100 point system with the various parts of the project having the following weights:

	Points	Due Date:
Proposal	10	Dec 18
Mid-Quarter Update	20	Jan 13
Documentation/Report	20	Feb 24
Code	20	Feb 24
Presentation	20	Feb 22
Peer Reviews	10	Feb 22
Team Evaulations	+/- bonus points	Feb 24

It is extremely important to continue to make progress as the course progresses. If you forsee any problems with meeting deliverable deadlines, and see the instructor well in advance (at least one week) of the deadline that might be missed we can attempt to work out alternate arrangements. Late submissions without prior permission or notification will be heavy penalized.

last updated 11/24/10