MA C164 Simulations & Dynamics

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the advanced techniques used to produce animated special effects using simulations and dynamics. Course topics include the simulation of natural phenomena such as rain, snow and fire using particle systems, and the dynamics of rigid and soft bodies.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. Create simulations of a variety of natural phenomena using particle systems, including rain, smoke, fire, sparks, explosions and fluids.
2. Reproduce the influence of natural forces and collisions to enhance particle system animations.
3. Use software dynamics engines to animate rigid bodies and soft bodies, accurately demonstrating the laws of physics, and the influence of natural forces.
4. Synthesize and employ advanced simulations, dynamics and compositing techniques to produce an individually designed, high quality special effects project.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Introduction to Simulation (A-D)
   1. What can you simulate?
   2. Simulation Software
   3. Simulation vs. Traditional Modeling and Keyframed Animation
   4. Applications
   5. Technical Issues
2. Particle Systems (A, B, D)
   1. Particles Overview
   2. Particle Emitters
   3. Emission Properties
   4. Particle Type Properties
   5. Interactions Between Particles
   6. Collisions
   7. Natural Forces
   8. Goals and Events
   9. Mappable Parameters
   10. Fluids
   11. Explosions
   12. Instancing
   13. Sprites
   14. Particle Expressions
   15. Shading
   16. Rendering
3. Rigid Bodies (C, D)
   1. Rigid Body Overview
   2. Creating a Rigid Body Object
   3. Active/Passive Designations
   4. Mass and Density
   5. Inertial Properties
   6. Elasticity, Friction and Damping
   7. Initial States
   8. Collisions
   9. Natural Forces
   10. Constraints
   11. Combining Keyframed Animation with Rigid Body Dynamics
4. Soft Bodies (C, D)
   1. Soft Body Overview
   2. Creating a Soft Body Object
   3. Soft Body Properties
   4. Mass and Density
   5. Inertial Properties
   6. Friction
   7. Plasticity
   8. Deformation Behavior
   9. Collisions
   10. Natural Forces
   11. Combining Keyframed Animation with Soft Body Dynamics
       

LAB CONTENT DESCRIPTION

Students complete guided tutorials and work on assignments during lab.

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Written lectures
2. Textbook tutorials
3. Asynchronous discussion
4. Synchronous and asynchronous video demonstration

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

1. Weekly creative exercises (A-C)
   Example: Students alter particle cloud material properties to simulate sparks being ejected from a campfire.
   
2. Creative projects (A-C)
   Example: Students create a particle simulation of falling rain, by manipulating particle type properties, defining collisions and creating particle events.
   
3. Final project (A-D)
   Example: Students synthesize skills developed over the course of the semester to produce a simulation that combines advanced particle systems, rigid and soft body dynamics, and traditional keyframed animation.

OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

1. Weekly creative exercises
2. Creative projects

REQUIRED TEXTS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. Digital-Tutors (2005). Fundamentals of Maya Dynamics: Particles/Fields. Oklahoma City: PL Studios, OR Digital-Tutors (2005). Fundamentals: Particles and Forces in XSI. Oklahoma City: PL Studios.
2. Digital-Tutors (2005). Fundamentals of Maya Dynamics: Soft / Rigid Bodies. Oklahoma City: PL Studios, OR Digital-Tutors (2005). Fundamentals of Soft and Rigid Bodies in XSI. Oklahoma City: PL Studios.

12.13.2005

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