The course proposes an overview of the history of Computer Animation, describes the tools, notions and techniques for making computer animated films, and focuses on the creative practice based on the qualities of digital space and digital time as well as on the mise-en-scene strategies (interactive and non-interactive). Several theoretical notions and 3d computer animation techniques are applied in the Laboratory sessions.
The course schedule includes 2h of theory and 2h of laboratory sessions per week during the whole semester (15 weeks). Both theoretical lectures and laboratory sessions may include audiovisual material for better understanding of a given subject. The laboratory sessions include always computer practice with 3d computer animation workstations equiped with the appropriate software.
The students’ performance in computer animation theory is evaluated at the end of the semester during the final examination. Continuous evaluation is performed during the laboratory sessions, but the final mark on the laboratory work is given at the end of the semester following delivery of the final work from the students. The final mark is composed by 40% of the final examination mark and by 60% of the final laboratory mark (final mark= 0,4 X theory mark + 0,6 X lab mark- maximum mark=10).
The Students get familiar with Modelling, Animation and Rendering Techniques in 3D Computer Animation. They implement a short animated movie following all stages of computer animation production (concept, script, storyboard, character design, set design, etc) including final editing. The focus of the course is in animation techniques using both 3D animation production software (Maya) and Motion Capture sessions in the Laboratory (Vicon optical system with 10 cameras).
Basic Textbooks
- Vince, John (). Essential computer animation fast:how to understand the techniques and potential of computer animation. - (Essential series - Springer-Verlag)
- Kerlow, Isaac Victor (2004), The art of 3D computer animation and effects
Additional References
- Parent, Rick (2002), Computer animation: algorithms and techniques. - (The Morgan Kaufmann series in computer graphics and geometric modeling)
- Kuperberg, Marcia, Bowman, Martin, Manton, Rob, Peacock, Alan, (2002), A guide to computer animation:for tv, games, multimedia and web. - (Focal Press visual effects & animation)
- Jones, Angie, Oliff, Jamie, (2007), Thinking animation:bridging the gap between 2D and CG
- Wellins, Mike (2006), Storytelling through animation.(Charles River Media graphics series)- cd-rom
- Cantor, Jeremy, Valencia, Pepe, Kroyer, Bill, -(2004), Inspired 3D short film production.
- Ford, Michael, Lehman, Alan, (2002), Inspired 3D character setup. - (Inspired)
- Capizzi, Tom (2002), Inspired 3D modeling and texture mapping. - (Inspired)
- Clark, BradHook, John, Harkins, Joe, (2005), Inspired 3D advanced rigging and deformations
Journals
- Computer Graphics, Proceedings of ACM Siggraph Conference.
- IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.