CSC 191A Intro to 3D Modeling and Animation
Syllabus
Spring 2003, Jan 15 – March 3

Schedule: M W F 1:00-1:50
Room: Calloway 10
Instructor: Dr. Yue-Ling Wong (Email: ylwong@wfu.edu; Phone: 758-3922; Office: Reynolda 225)
Office Hours: W 2:00-3:00

Student Gallery: Assignment #1, term projects (Now on DVD and on the Web!)

Course Web Page: http://www.wfu.edu/~ylwong/courses/2003spring-csc191a/

Syllabus and Timetable: http://www.wfu.edu/~ylwong/courses/2003spring-csc191a/syllabus.pdf & Revised Timetable (Feb 1, 2003)

Assignment Listing and Description: http://www.wfu.edu/~ylwong/courses/2003spring-csc191a/assignment/

Class Materials Download: http://www.wfu.edu/~ylwong/courses/2003spring-csc191a/material/

Project Resource Center: http://www.wfu.edu/~ylwong/courses/2003spring-csc191a/project-resource/

About the Final Grade: Will be available on WIN at the end of the semester, but Dr. Wong will email you individually the final grade by the end of March or early April. Click here to see how the final grade will be calculated.

Course Description: This course covers basic concepts of the math for 3D modeling, and introduction to the concepts and techniques of modeling, texture, rendering and animation. In addition to regular assignments using 3ds max or Maya, each student will need to do a final project to create a short 3D animation clip on DVD, and present the animation in class at the end of the course. This course is not about learning "how to" use these specific programs, but learning the basic 3D modeling and animation concepts, techniques and vocabularies which are not program specific, and to apply what you learn in a creative way.
Requirements: (1) For-grade only. (2) Prefer having had one or more Math or CSC courses prior to this course. However, if you do not have any of the Math or CSC courses but are very interested in this course, please feel free to discuss with me (ylwong@wfu.edu).

Supplies:

  • DVD-R disc: at least one because you need to put the animation on it. Note: It's DVD-R, not the DVD+R
  • Some backup or secondary storage: for examples, several of CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-RW, so you can back up your files and keep a copy of your files after this course is over. (All the student files will be removed after this course is over.)
  • A 3-button mouse (optional but highly recommended) for Maya students running Maya on their Thinkpads.

Software:
It is your choice to use Maya or 3ds max. The availability and access of these two software will be discussed in the first class.

Resources and Textbooks:

  • Textbook: The Art of 3-D : Computer Animation and Imaging, 2nd Edition, by Isaac Victor Kerlow; John Wiley & Sons; ISBN: 047136004X; 2 edition (May 11, 2000)
    **Required**
  • Learning Maya 4.0, by Alias|Wavefront; Alias|Wavefront; ISBN: 0968572553; (August 1, 2001)
    Or, (for 4.5), Learning Maya | Foundation; ISBN: 1-894893-17-4 (check on the http://store.aliaswavefront.com)
    **Required text for assignments for Maya students**
  • Discreet 3ds max 5 Courseware Fundamentals
    (check on the http://www.journeyed.com)
    **Required text for assignments for 3ds max students**
  • Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques, by Rick Parent, Richard Parent; Morgan Kaufmann Publishers; ISBN: 1558605797; 1st edition (September 4, 2001)
    On Reserve at ZSR Library
    Supplemental readings on 3D math: Chapter 1 – 2, and parts of other chapters.
  • http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2151/math3d.html
    Supplemental readings on 3D math
  • Mathematics for 3D Game Programming & Computer Graphics, by Eric Lengyel; Charles River Media, Inc.; ISBN: 1-58450-037-9; 2002.
    Background readings for vectors and matices: Chapter 1 – 3.
  • The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, by Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston (Contributor), Cllie Johnston; Hyperion; ISBN: 0786860707; Revised edition (October 1995)
    An excellent book on animation

Evaluation: (click here to see a detailed calculation)
Due to the tight schedule of this course, it is very important to turn in your assignments and final project promptly. There will not be any extension for the project and assignment due dates. Please do not hesitate to talk with me if you have problems meeting the assignment and project due dates.

  1. Attendance & Class Participation (10%)
  2. Assignments (30%)
    • Assignment 1: math & programming assignment to rotate a stick figure
    • Assignment 2 (Part I & II): bouncing ball animation using 3ds max or Maya; and for 3ds max, also Modeling a Chess Set
    • Assignment 3 (Part I & II): Jack-in-the-Box modeling & animation using 3ds max or Maya
    • Assignment 4: Final project proposal
    • Assignment 5: Network rendering
  3. Quizzes (30%)
  4. Final Project (30%)
    Description: A short 3D animation, at least about 3 seconds, created in Maya 4.x or above or 3ds max 4 or above. You will need to render the animation in NTSC DV format, in both wide-screen and standard format, and put it on an DVD.

    Grading: Both the techniques and the end results of the modeling and animation in your final project will be taken into account for the project grade. I am looking for, for examples:
    • challenges in modeling the objects for your scene and how you approach these challenges
    • challenges in your animation sequence and how you approach them
    • good lighting setup or use of light effect
    • aesthetics and composition of the scene
    • appropriate and good use of special effects if necessary
    • effort to refine your models (the models and the textures) and animation (e.g. smooth motion)
    • music and sound effects are optional due to the time constraint

    Due Date: March 10, 2003 (no extension)

    Things needed to turn in for grading:

    1. The original animation file (.ma, .mb, or .mp if Maya, .max if 3ds max), and all the supporting files such as the texture maps, and any images used in the animation. You can put these files on CD's or DVDs (if the files are too big to fit in a CD).
    2. DVD: Your animation on DVD, with both the wide-screen and standard format.
    3. A project write-up that discuss the issues (see the the grading criteria listed above), and the followings:
      a. What refinements would you make to improve your project if time allows?
      b. How do you propose to do that?
      c. If the project is only part of your bigger project in mind, describe briefly about your idea for this bigger project.