City University of Hong Kong Information on a Course offered by Department of School of Creative Media with effect from Semester A in 2012 / 2013 Part I Course Title: 3D Animation I. Basic Course Code: SM 2231 Course Duration: One semester No. of Credit Units: 3 (4 hours) Level: A2/B3 Medium of Instruction : English Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title) Nil Precursors: (Course Code and Title) Nil Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title) Nil Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title) Nil Part II 1. Course Aims: This course aims to train students to create simple 3D computer animations at a beginner s level. The training focuses on basic but essential CG knowledge which include polygonal modeling, simple lighting, projection based texturing, key-framed animation techniques and transformation basis animation.
2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs 1. - Operate generic 3D applications 2. - Create 3D models based on standard polygonal primitives - Apply polygonal editing tools for modeling small details 3. - Create simple animation based on key-frame transformation - Create transformation base animation - Edit animation by using animation curve editor. 4. - Apply different basic light types, shading, texturing and simple render techniques to produce quality rendering. 5. - Combine CILOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for making a complete and quality CG animation. *6. Transform basic technical competence into a unique style or personal signature. * Negotiated Learning Outcome (NLO) explicitly articulating the elements of Discovery oriented learning. 3. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs) (designed to facilitate students achievement of the CILOs) Indicative of likely activities and tasks students will undertake to learn in this course. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course. TLAs - History of 3D computer animation. - Essentials of 3D computer animation production - Overview of 3D application and its User Interface design concept - Basic 3D polygonal modeling concept; - Polygonal primitives based modeling - Polygonal models editing tools - Introduce the animation concept in 3D computer animation. - Distinguish and analyze the function of various animation tools. - Describe an idea for using the animation tools and bring out how the animation tools assist an animator to animate character or object in the application. - Examine the animation tools and interfaces in 3D application. ILO No CILO 1 CILO 2 CILO 3
- Simple lighting and shading - Basic projection based texturing - Combine the setting of rending to produce a quality CGI. - Integrate the concept of modeling, shading, mapping, lighting, animating and rending techniques to produce 3D computer animation. - Review and discuss student s working procedure - Experience the CG animation production work flow in the workshop. CILO 4 CILO 5-6 4. Assessment Tasks/Activities (designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs) Indicative of likely activities and tasks students will undertake to learn in this course. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course. Type of assessment tasks/activities ILO No Remarks In-Class Exercise: CILO 1 Operations of different tools and production strategy. Assignment 1 Modeling exercise (Include presentation and critique) Design a product and build a 3D model of it. CILO 1 & 2 Assignment 2 Simple character design, modeling and animate the character in walk cycle. (Include presentation and critique) Deign a human like character in minimal form. Use basic animation tools and animation curve editor to animate walk cycle motion for the character. CILO 1, 2, 3 Assignment 3 Flying Logo animation with provided CILO logo. (Include presentation and critique) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 Conceive and create a logo by various modeling skills. Use lighting, simple mapping and basic animation tools to complete a whole flying logo animation with personal style. Assignment 4 Create a 1 minute CG animation. CILO (Include research, storyboard, story development, 1-6 presentation and critique) The students will choose one of the given categories and follow the specific style to create a 1 minute CG animation. This assignment aims to allow students to combine the techniques of modeling, texturing, lighting, animation and rendering to produce a complete animation. They have to create the animation by following the professional animation production practice.
5. Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading o Courses in the Academic Regulations. 100% Coursework Standard (A+,A,A- F). Grading is based on performance in assessment tasks / activities. A. Participation and Performance This assessment task reviews students participation and performance in discussions, debates and peer critique during the tutorial sessions. The evidence of negotiation, the sign of discovery, lies in students pre-class preparation and interpersonal sensitivity to his/her peer members. Letter Grade A+ A A- Grade Point Grade Definitions Description 4.3 4.0 3.7 Excellent Active in-class participation, positive listening, strong ability to stimulate class discussion and comment on other points In-depth pre-class preparation and familiarity with peer reports and other materials Interpret others views with an open mind and ready to negotiate Readiness to share personal insight via analysis and synthesis with informed views Constructively critical, thus facilitating the discovery of new issues B+ B B- C+ C C- 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 Good Adequate Active in-class participation, positive listening, ability to initiate class discussion and comment on other points Adequate pre-class preparation and familiarity with peer reports and other materials Interpret opinions effectively Attentive in in-class participation, listening with comprehension, but only infrequently contributing Adequate pre-class preparation but little familiarity with peer reports and other materials Fair ability in interpreting opinions D 1.0 Marginal Unmotivated to participate in class discussion or comment on other people s views Little pre-class preparation and familiarity with peer reports and other materials Poor ability in interpreting opinions F 0.0 Failure Unwilling to participate in class discussion and comment on other points, even when requested by the teacher No pre-class preparation and familiarity with peer reports and other materials Minimal ability in interpreting opinions Note: All A+/A/A- grade assignment should comply with the highest performance of Discovery-oriented learning.
B. Project Students should demonstrate ability to utilize primary and secondary sources, execute creative ideas and projects. The threshold of discovery lies in a student s proactively turning theory into praxis, to transform course material into selfowned authorship. Letter Grade Grade Point Grade Definitions Description 4.3 Excellent 4.0 3.7 A+ A A- Work has strong affective quality and the articulation of personal styles and signature Excellent appreciation, exploration and/or application of the aesthetic and expressive qualities of the medium Work raises questions and instill insights about the process of conception, creative strategization and production Innovative exploration by combining knowledge from different disciplines (e.g. mathematics, psychology, physics, anthropology, etc.) to create an interdisciplinary project Efficient adjustment of plans and strategies in response to resources (time, space, equipment, etc) available with constructive adjustment B+ B B- 3.3 3.0 2.7 Good Strong appreciation, exploration and/or application of the aesthetic and expressive qualities of the medium Ability to create project/ work that demonstrate the processes of thinking and creative exploration Proper adjustment of plans and strategies in response to resources (time, space, equipment, etc) available and constructive feedback/ suggestions C+ C C- 2.3 2.0 1.7 Adequate Basic appreciation and/or application of the aesthetic and expressive qualities of the medium Limited ability to create project/ work that demonstrate the processes of thinking and creative exploration Adjustment of plans and strategies in response to resources (time, space, equipment, etc) available D 1.0 Marginal Marginal appreciation of the aesthetic and expressive qualities of the medium Marginal ability to create project/ work that demonstrate the processes of thinking and creative exploration Limited adjustment of plans and strategies in response to resources (time, space, equipment, etc) available
F 0.0 Failure No appreciation of the aesthetics and expressive qualities of the medium Fail to create project/ work that demonstrate the processes of thinking and creative exploration Minimal adjustment of plans and strategies in response to resources (time, space, equipment, etc) available Note: All A+/A/A- grade assignment should comply with the highest performance of Discovery-oriented learning. C. Presentation This assessment will grade on content and fluency of presentation. Students should show their co-operation to conduct a well-organized presentation with their own argument and evidence from readings and notes. The threshold of discovery lied in a student s self initiatives to conduct additional research and to personalize theories for her/his personal daily experience. Letter Grade A+ A A- Grade Point Grade Definitions Description 4.3 4.0 3.7 Excellent Rich, informative content, excellent grasp of the material with in-depth and extensive knowledge of the subject matter Rigorous organization, coherent structure, and systematic exposition with a strong sense of narrative Superior presentation skills: distinct pronunciation, fluent expression and appropriate diction, exact time-management Critical analysis with insightful comments opening up new issues, or suggesting the ability to theorize B+ B B- C+ C C- 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 Good Adequate Adequate content with firm grasp of the material that informs the audience on a subject matter Reasonable organization, balanced structure and composition Good verbal communication: comprehensible pronunciation, fluent expression and diction, fair time-management Adequate content with comprehensive grasp of the material demonstrating basic knowledge of the subject matter Fair organization, weak structure and composition Fair presentation skills: acceptable pronunciation, expression and diction, fair time-management D 1.0 Marginal Weak content, loose grasp of the general ideas with some knowledge of the subject matter Poor organization, structure and composition Poor presentation skills: marginal pronunciation, expression and diction, poor time-management F 0.0 Failure Inadequate content, fail to identify the general ideas with knowledge of the subject matter No organization, structure or/and composition Poor presentation skills: marginal pronunciation, expression and diction, minimal time-management Note: All A+/A/A- grade assignment should comply with the highest performance of Discovery-oriented learning.
Part III Keyword Syllabus: CGI, Polygonal modeling, Face, Vertex, E, tool, UI, Maya, Animation, Grouping, Parenting, Hypergraph, Hypershade,Shading, Shader,Texture Mapping, L, Shadow, straints, NURBS curve, Control Vertices, UV Mapping, Environmental Map, Attribute, ormals, Bump Map, Cand Rendering. Recommended Reading: Jerry Beck: Animation Art, HarperCollins, 2004 Stephen Cavalier: The World History of Animation, Aurum Press Ltd, 2011 Greg Hilty and Alona Pardo: Watch Me Move, Merrell, 2011 The Animation Bible: A Guide to Everything - From Flipbooks to Flash, London (Laurence King), 2008 Julius Wiedermann: Animation Now! Taschen, 2004 Preston Blair: Cartoon Animation, Walter Foster, 1994 Richard Williams: The Animator's Survival Kit, Faber and Faber, 2004 Online Resources: Digital Tutors http://www.digitaltutors.com/ Animation World Network http://www.awn.com/ Animate! http://www.animateonline.org/ 3Dtotal http://www.3dtotal.com/