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ATEC 3317 Introduction to 3D Computer Animation

Course Credit Hours: 3


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

Web address http://atec.utdallas.edu/tfechter/3317/syllabus.htm

Instructor Todd Fechter


Phone: (214) 952-0966
Email: tfechter@dnahelix.com

Office Hours W 9:45pm - ?

Course ATEC 3317 will explore 3D modeling concepts and


Description techniques for 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


Objectives computer-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


Methodology each and every class. Students are encouraged to
collaborate in solving some of the difficult technical and
conceptual problems that a re 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 Learning Maya
Date ment
Schedule Wk 1
Maya Intro Chap 1 - 4
8/24
(Course Schedule
is subject to Wk 2
NURBS modeling A1
change at the 8/31
discretion of the
Wk 3 Polygonal
instructor. Check
9/7 Modeling Part 1 A2
periodically for
updates.) Wk 4
Polygonal A3
9/14
Modeling Part 2
Polygonal
Modeling Part 3
Wk 5 Chap 10 &
9/21 Basic lighting, 11 A4 given
camera,
rendering,
Character
development,
Wk 6 camera, model A4 first
9/28 sheet, layout pass due
designs,

Wk 7 A4 second
Basic Texturing
10/5 pass
Wk 8 In Class Work
Chap 5
10/12 Session
Wk 9
Mid-term exam
10/19
Wk 10 A4 due
A4 presentation
10/26 A5 given
Character
Rigging Intro
Setup: Lesson
Wk 11 A5 first
Chap 12 1 (skeletons
11/2 In Class Work pass due
and
Session
kinematics)
Rigging Cont Character
Wk 12 Setup: Lesson A5 second
11/9 In Class Work 2 (smooth pass due
Session skinning)
Character
Wk 13 Modeling for
Setup: Lesson A5 cont
11/16 facial animation
3
Wk 14 A5 presentation
11/23 A5 due

Final A3 final
11/30 presentation

Assignments A1 Nurbs Table Scene

A2 Polygonal Table Scene

A3 Personal Electronic

A4 Story Boarding and Design

A5 Story to Tell

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:

• Assignment 1: 10%
• Assignment 2: 10%
• Assignment 3: 20%
• Assignment 4: 25%
• Assignment 5: 25%
• 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 (required)
Learning Maya 6 Foundation, Alias/Wavefront

Course Notebook/Sketchbook
Supplies Archive Material: CD or DVD

Accommodation It is the policy of UTD to p rovide reasonable and


Process appropriate 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.


Violations Anyone 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.

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