MA C163 Animation Programming

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores structured programming in animation production. Course topics include the history of animation technologies, environments, languages, asset control and pipeline management.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this course, the student will:

1. Contrast the hardware and software technology evolution in 3D animation production and project how the evolution is likely to continue into the future.
2. Contrast the effectiveness of the scripting and programming languages common to 3D animation automation.
3. Apply a systems approach in structured programming to automate 3D modeling and animation.
4. Conceive, implement and debug a compiled plug-in.
5. Conceive and implement a scripted automation on a 3D object.
6. Conceive and implement a scripted automation on a 3D animation.
7. Animate cameras and lighting through the use of scripted controls.
8. Test and debug an animation plug-in.
9. Conceive and implement a database to control 3D animation production assets.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. 3D Computer Animation Technology History
   1. Hardware
   2. Software
   3. Production Systems
2. Programming Environments and APIs
   1. Modeling
      1. Access geometry
      2. Create and edit geometry
      3. Instancing
      4. Curve and Surface Deformations
   2. Animation
      1. Function Curves
      2. Sequences
      3. Expressions
      4. Operators
   3. Cameras and Lighting
      1. Get, set and animate camera parameters
      2. Get, set and animate lighting parameters
   4. Hardware and Motion Controls
   5. Game Development
   6. Audio
   7. Utilities
      1. Error
      2. Test
      3. Matrix
      4. Library
3. Scripting and Programming Languages
   1. LISP
   2. LScript
   3. C++
   4. Mel 
4. Production Asset Control  
   1. Database Management

READINGS

• The SOFTIMAGE 3|D SDK by Softimage, Montreal, Canada.
• Nichimen Mirai Online Documentation by Nichimen, Los Angeles, California.

ASSIGNMENTS

Reading in textbook, written assignments, class presentations, and individual or class projects.

TYPICAL EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE

Students will be evaluated based on 3D animation programming projects, written quizzes, and a written exam. In order to achieve a grade of "C" in this course, the student must complete all of the assigned 3D animation programming projects.
 
Typical evaluation criteria may include:  
Programming Projects 70%
Quizzes 20%
Final Exam. 10%
Total 100%
 
A typical grading scale is:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F

6.23.2003

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