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Computer Animation:  2009-2010

Lecturer

Degrees

Schedule C1Computer Science

Part CMathematics and Computer Science

Schedule CMSc in Advanced Computer Science

MSc by Research

Term

Overview

Assessment will be by a take-home mini-project.

There will be four practicals. The fourth will be linked to the mini-project, completed over the Easter vacation, and demonstrated at the start of Trinity Term.

Learning outcomes

  • Basics of key-frame animation.
  • Use of a modern software package for animation.
  • Use of animation and simulation in other domains.
  • Principles of collision detection and response.
  • Skill extension through mini-project.

Prerequisites

No specific pre-requisites, other than familiarity with basic operations on matrices and vectors. Basic knowledge of 3D transformations is useful (e.g., from the Computer Graphics course), but not essential. Rigid-body dynamics will be covered, for which some earlier experience would be useful.

Synopsis

  1. Introduction. Traditional animation. Use of computer animation. [1]
  2. 2. Scene Composition. Revision of rigid-body transformations (notes provided for those who haven't seen this before in, e.g., computer graphics). Information required to render rigid objects. Transformation chains. Scene graphs. Scene description languages. [3]
  3. Basic animation. Time-varying transformations. Interpolation and interpolation functions. Use of quarternions for smooth rotation interpolation. [3]
  4. Frame-based animation. Use of the Blender program. [4]
  5. Moving the camera. Animation tricks. [2]
  6. Collision detection and response. Dealing with simple geometries. The GJK algorithm. Dealing with large scenes. Physical response models. [5]
  7. Challenges and the future of computer animation. [2]

Syllabus

Basic ideas of scene composition in 3D. Time-varying scenes; animation; animation frames and interpolation. Use of cameras. Animation tricks. Other uses of animation and simulation. Collision detection and response. Advanced topics. Challenges and the future.

Reading list

Course text
  • Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques ISBN: 1558605797 Rick Parent 45 GBP (31 Amazon)
Highly Recommended
  • The Official Blender 2.3 Guide ISBN: 1593270410 Tony Roosendaal 34 GBP (23 Amazon)
  • Character Animation in 3D ISBN: 0240516656 Steve Roberts 25 GBP (More basic (non-computer) animation)
  • Introducing Character Animation with Blender ISBN: 0470102608 Tony Mullen 27 GBP (18 Amazon)
  • Collision Detection in Interactive 3D Environments ISBN: 155860801X Gino van den Bergen 44 GBP (28 Amazon)

Feedback

Students are formally asked for feedback at the end of the course. Students can also submit feedback at any point here. Feedback received here will go to the Head of Academic Administration, and will be dealt with confidentially when being passed on further. All feedback is welcome.

Taking our courses

This form is not to be used by students studying for a degree in the Department of Computer Science, or for Visiting Students who are registered for Computer Science courses

Other matriculated University of Oxford students who are interested in taking this, or other, courses in the Department of Computer Science, must complete this online form by 17.00 on Friday of 0th week of term in which the course is taught. Late requests, and requests sent by email, will not be considered. All requests must be approved by the relevant Computer Science departmental committee and can only be submitted using this form.