ATEC 3317 Introduction to 3D Computer Animation

Course Credit Hours: 3

Time: R 7:00pm-9:45pm

Web address TBA

Instructor David Barksdale

david.barksdale@utdallas.edu

Office Hours By appointment only, after class meets on Thursdays.

Course ATEC 3317 will explore 3D modeling concepts and techniques for
Description 3D computer animation. A conceptual understanding of the
elements of surface modeling will be the main focus of this course.

Course Understand the fundamental principles of modeling 3D computer-

Objectives generated forms.

Develop artistic skills and technical skills and use both to produce
creative forms.

Learn technical terms related to 3D modeling and computer

animation.

Enhance ability to discuss current issues related to 3D modeling

and computer animation.

Demonstrate the ability to offer both technical and aesthetic

criticisms of the work of peers and self.

Create an on-line "process book" in HTML format that documents

the conceptual, technical, and artistic development throughout the
semester.

Course Students are expected to be participating and working in each and

Methodology every class. Students are encouraged to collaborate in solving
some of the difficult technical and conceptual problems that are
part of their project. Class sessions will consist of lectures,
demonstration, studio work, critiques, video reference, and
discussions focusing on class assignments.

The class format will take on a variety of styles, as the subject

 dictates. Examples will be presented and discussed in lectures,
videos and demonstrations. Students will present their work in
critique sessions.

Students are encouraged to complete all work at the ATEC

computer labs in order to benefit from collaborative learning with
your peers. Students choosing to use "offsite" hardware and
software must have their current working files on the system and
available for review at the beginning of each and every class.
Problems with "offsite" systems and/or incompatibility will not be
an acceptable excuse for missed assignments.

Tentative Week Assign-

Course Topics Kerlow In Class Activity
Date ment
Schedule Course Orientation
and syllabus review
(Course Schedule Computer Graphics
Help -> Learning
is subject to Primer, Read Chap
Resourses ->
change at the Wk 1 Polygons, NURBS, 1-4
Tutorials -> A1 given
curves, surfaces, Definition of
discretion of the projects, primitives, a model
Getting Started -
instructor. Check > Maya Basics
transform tools,
periodically for components
updates.) Maya intro demo
NURBS modeling,
construction history,
layers, windows,
layouts, Hotbox,
Polygonal
Wk 2 Hypergraph,
Modeling
Channel Box,
Attribute Editor,
revolve/loft/extrude,
model sheet,
storyboards
Poly modeling,
good/bad models,
Wk 3 Polygonal
computational A1 symbol
Modeling
efficiency, duplicate, design due
Practice
text tool, sculpt tool,
boolean operations
Basic lighting,
Wk 4 basic camera, Work on A1 in
Work on A1
rendering a class
turntable,
A1 presentation
Wk 5 A1 due
critique
Polygon modeling, A2 given
conversion, surface
 normals, smooth
shading,
Polygon modeling,
sculpt tool, fill hole, Polygonal
Wk 6 A2 process
combine/separate, Modeling
book due
split edge, cut
faces, merge edges
Polygon modeling,
avoiding bad
Wk 7 geometry, Work on A2 in
identifying "illegal class
faces" and how to
fix them

Wk 8 Subdivision Subdivision Key

Read Chap
surfaces surfaces: Lesson
5
Study for mid-term 1
Wk 9 Work on A2 in
Mid-term exam
class
Wk 10 A2 due
A2 presentation critique
A3 given
Fk, Inverse Character Setup:
Wk 11 kinematics, Read Chap Lesson 1 A3 sketches
building/binding a 12 (skeletons and due
hand kinematics)
Wk 12 Modeling for facial Character Setup:
animation Lesson 3
Wk 13 Work on A3 in
Work day
class
Final A3 final
critique A3 due
presentation

Assignments Personal symbol or logo description work submitted

Mechanical or organic model description work submitted
Rube Goldberg contraption description work submitted

Grading policy Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course

objectives through fulfillment of course assignments and by
contributing to class discussions and critiques. Course
assignments will require students to use software and equipment
available at the ATEC computer labs. Collaboration between
students in the course, other faculty, staff and students in the
ATEC program is encouraged. Course evaluation will be based
upon the following:
 • Assignments 1 - 3: 30% each, where 30% of each
assignment grade is given to process book research.
• Mid-term exam: 10%

All students are required to be on time and in attendance for each

and every class. Students arriving to class more than 15 minutes
late will be counted as absent. Two (2) absences will lower a final
grade by 1/2 a letter. Three (3) absences will lower your final
grade by one letter. Four (4) absences will result in a failing grade
("F ") for the course.

Adherence to deadlines is expected. It is the individual student's

responsibility to keep track of the goals and deadlines and to
present the work to the class and instructor on the specified dates.
Late assignments will affect your grade: 10% will be deducted for
each class period. Students will be expected to make a formal
presentation of their progress on dates specified by the course
timeline.

If you need to drop the class for any reason, you are responsible
for initiating the drop procedure. Contact the Register's Office. If
you do not withdraw by the specific drop date and you do not fulfill
the requirements of the class, you will receive a failing grade.

Grading Scale A+/A 4.00 C 2.00

A- 3.67 C- 1.67
B+ 3.33 D+ 1.33
B 3.00 D 1.00
B- 2.67 D- 0.67
C+ 2.33 F

Textbooks The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, 3rd Ed, Isaac
Victor Kerlow (recommended)

Maya 6 Visual Quickstart Guide, Danny Riddell & Adrian Dimond

(recommended)

Course Notebook/Sketchbook
Supplies Archive Material: CD or DVD

Accommodation It is the policy of UTD to provide reasonable and appropriate

Process accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. This
 University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local
laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact
the appropriate office in a timely manner if s/he desires to arrange
for accommodations.

Scholastic UTD may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student

Dishonesty accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes,
but is not limited to statements, acts, or omissions related to
application for enrollment, the ward of a degree, and/or the
submission of one's work of material that is not one's own.
Scholastic dishonesty may involve one or more of the following
acts; cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and falsifying academic
records.

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an

unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining
examination questions in advance, copying computer files,
copying internet material, using someone else's work for
assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest
means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.

Plagiarism is the use of an author's works or ideas as if they were

one's own without giving credit to the source, including, but not
limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.

Copyright It is a federal crime to reproduce copyrighted software. Anyone

Violations caught reproducing software from the UTD labs will be subject to
disciplinary action. In addition, anyone caught reproducing outside
software in the lab will automatically lose all lab privileges and will
be subject to other disciplinary action as deemed necessary.