COMP 599 - Fundamentals of Computer Animation
Winter 2009

This course will provide an introduction to computational techniques for generating animation. Topics will include methods which have applications in the creation of movie effects, as well as the development of video games and training simulations. While the focus will largely be on physically based methods for the automatic generation of motion, approximately half the course will cover methods for user control of animation and reuse of captured motion data. See the schedule below for a list of topics.

The main objective of this course is to have students develop an understanding of fundamental techniques used for computer animation. At the end of the term, students will be able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using simulation, procedural animation, motion capture, and hand designed animations, with respect to both online and offline applications. You will also be able to implement animation techniques, such as physically based simulations, inverse kinematics, and key-frame interpolation, using common software languages and tools. Finally, in addition to an understanding of current practices in computer animation, a general objective is for students to better recognize current important challenges in computer animation.

Consent from instructor, or COMP 557 (Fundamentals of Computer Graphics), or COMP 350 (Numerical Computing). Students taking this course should have good knowledge of linear algebra, calculus, and be comfortable programming in Java for assignments.

The class will be taught through a series of lectures. Grading will be largely based on assignments as the intent is for students to get hands on experience with the material in the course. There are three components to the grading scheme.

• 50% assignments (5 programming assignments, may also have small written component)
• 25% midterm exam (in class)
• 25% final exam

Assignments must be all your own work. You are still encouraged to discuss material related to the assignments with your classmates, that is, discuss your assignments, problems, or solutions as a group, but you are ultimately responsible for understanding the material and the programming and write up must be all your own work. If you do talk with your classmates about the assignment, then you must list the names of everyone with which you discussed the assignment. See below the section on things you should already know about academic integrity. If you feel you can't complete the work, talk to me, or your advisor, and we can help you figure out what to do.

Programming assignments must be submitted electronically via WebCT and all assignments will be due at 11:59 pm on their due date. Late assignments will be accepted up to two days after the deadline and will receive a penalty of 10%. Once the deadline has passed you will not able to resubmit your assignment in the regular submission box. In this case, submit your assignment into the problematic submission box and send me an email. You should always check your submission by downloading your assignment from the server and checking that it is what you intended to submit. The written component of an assignment, if any, will usually be due in the in class following the deadline and will be specified in the assignment.

Here follows a list of assignments (and tentative future assignments).

• A1: Mass-spring particle system warm up
• A2: Implicit integration and constraints
• A3: Motion capture reuse
• Data from lab sessions for use in this assignment
• A4: Inverse kinematics
• A5: Mini project

Material in this course will come from a number of sources. While no text is required for the course, the following material is either available online or will be on reserve in the library.

• Physically Based Modelling Course Notes, Witkin and David Baraff (PBM)
• Physics-Based Animation, Erleben, Sporring, Hendriksen, Dohlmann (PBA)
• Computer Animation Algorithms & Techniques, Second Edition, Rick Parent (CAAT)
• Game Physics, David H. Eberly (GP)