Middle Tennessee State University Department of Electronic Mdeia Communication Marc J. Barr, Professor Office Comm 147 - Telephone (615) 898-5118

Course Outline

A. Department: RA/TV/Photo - Number: 330
Title of Course: Introduction to Digital Animation - Credits: 3

B. Description

This course will serve as an introduction to the development of two and three dimensional computer data and animation. The animations produced are intended for use in the areas of Television News, Entertainment, Advertising, and for Public Service Announcements. The class will emphasize the aesthetics and techniques for building, lighting, assigning surface attributes, and rendering of three dimensional models. These models will be used in the designing and producing of three dimensional computer generated animations. Completed animations will be displayed on the computer monitor and recorded onto videotape.

Students will have a broad survey of the process and techniques involved with creating broadcast quality three dimensional animations. They will also learn the techniques and aesthetics incorporated into traditional methods of animations for contrast and comparison. Frequent review and discussion of current animations will also occur.

C. Topics Covered

Students will gain an understanding in the application of the following concepts:

• Unix/ IRIX operating system
  
• Overview of traditional animation
  
• Unique capabilities of computers in animation
  
• Storyboarding
  
• Digital Input Devices
  
• Three dimensional modeling space
  
• Extrusion and Convexification
  
• Surfaces of Revolution
  
• Wireframe and Shading models
  
• Point and Element Grouping
  
• Boolean operations
  
• Red,Green, Blue, and Spectral color models
  
• Color Interpolation
  
• Translation, Rotation, and Scaling
  
• Parent/Child hierarchies
  
• Linear and Non Linear Deformation Channels
  
• Camera views
  
• Lighting controls
  
• Motion Timing and Choreography
  
• Keyframing and Inbetweening
  
• Linear and Spline motion
  
• Ease In and Ease Out motion
  
• Shape Interpolation
  
• Texture Mapping and other Surface Attributes
  
• Variable Substitution
  
• Atmospheres
  
• Rendering and Display
  
• Frame Buffers
  
• Adding Simple Digital Audio
  
• Optical Disk Storage
  
• Digital Tape Editing
  
• Storage, Archiving, and Retrieval of files
  

D. Activities Required of Students

1. Attendance at all lectures and demonstrations
   
2. Minimum of six hours per week additional laboratory time
   
3. Equipment operation and daily system administration
   
4. Tutorial exercises demonstrating competency in the areas of;
   
   
   • a. Hardware and software operations
     
   • b. Wire frame modeling
     
   • c. Application of surface attributes, shadow, and ray tracing files
     
   • d. Assignment of motion paths
     
   • e. Lighting of models
     
   • f. Image rendering to files
     
   • g. Display of image files
     
   • h. Compositing
     
   • i. Adding digital audio
     
   • j. Class presentation of finished animations on videotape or as quicktime movies

   
   
   

5. Presentation of finished tutorial exercises viewed on the computer and on videotape
   

E. Evaluation Procedures

1. Individual testing of students on operating procedures, terminology, and concepts covered
   
2. Student journal of activities including evaluation of individual projects from conception to completion
   
3. Presentation of videotape containing completed projects
   
4. Individual and group critiques

F. Required Texts

Learning Maya

I will be showing a selection of titles that are more general in nature, not software or hardware specific. I suggest that you purchase one or more of them.

G. Materials

Storage media, Videotape (your choice), Journal book, other items as suggested and required during the semester.

Please bring to my attention if you have a learning disability that may interfere with your success in this class.