UT Dallas Syllabus For Atec4337.001.08s Taught by Midori Kitagawa (mxk047100)

Syllabus for ATEC 4337
ATEC 4337 Computer Animation

Professor: Midori Kitagawa, Ph.D.
Term: Spring 2007
Meeting Time: T 11:30 am - 2:15 pm, ATEC 1.202
Contact Phone: (972) 883-2806

Information Office: ATEC 1.620
Email: midori@utdallas.edu
Office Hours: R 1:30 - 3:00 pm or by appointment
Class web address: http://atec1.utdallas.edu/~midori/4337/syllabus.
htm
Pre-requisite ATEC 3327
Course ATEC 4337 is the last course in a series of three 3D computer

Description animation courses. This course focuses on 3D keyframe animation.
Students will explore the fundamental principles of animation and
find a deeper understanding of it. Students will learn how to exploit
these fundamental principles to create convincing motion digitally.
Learning Demonstrate principles of animation.

Outcomes
Understand how timing gives meaning to motion.
Create short animations that demonstrate student's understanding

on the topics covered in this course.
Develop skills for both collaborative and independent work in

animation.
Create an on-line "process book" in HTML format that documents

the conceptual, technical, and artistic development throughout the
semester.
Enhance the ability to discuss current issues related to 3D computer

animation.
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Demonstrate the ability to offer both technical and aesthetic

criticisms of the work of peers and self.
Course Attend every class and specified lectures on time.

Requirements
Complete assignments on time and in a professional manner.
Collect research and document conceptual material in an online

process book.
Participate individually and as a contributing member of a team.
Complete reading, study handouts, and assigned tutorials.
Course Class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstration, studio work,

Methodology critiques, video/dvd viewing, and discussions focusing on class
assignments. The class format will take on a variety of styles, as the
subject dictates. Examples will be presented and discussed in
lectures, dvds/videos and demonstrations. Students will present their
work in work-in-progress reviews and critique sessions. Students are
encouraged to complete all work at the ATEC computer labs in order
to benefit from collaborative learning with your peers. Students
choosing to use "offsite" hardware and software must bring their
current working files to the class and have them available for review
at the beginning of each and every class. Problems with "offsite"
systems and/or incompatibility will not be an acceptable excuse for
missed or late or assignments.
Required
None. Reading assignments will be provided by the instructor.
textbook
Course Sketchbook 9” x 12”

Materials Storage media
Digital video camera (You can check out one with a lab tech.)

Assignments Getting
and Week
Topics Maya Started with Assignment
Academic Date
Mata
Calendar
(Calendar is
subject to (in Maya)
change at the Help ->
discretion of Tutorials -> A1 given
the instructor. (in Maya
Check Help Read Objects
periodically window) thrown
for updates.) Learning through the
History of Keyframe Resources -
air from
Wk 1 animation, basics, > Tutorials -
1/8 Keyframe Ball drop, > Getting Timing for
Started with Animation.
animation Playblast
Maya -> Read
Animation - Principles of
> Lesson 1 Animation
Keyframing from Illusion
and the of Life
Graph
Editor
Groups,
parenting,
Stretch and hierarchy.
squash --watch Changing A1 due
"Prelude to order of A2 given
Wk 2 Eden" transformation
1/15 Read
(bouncing ball
Hierarchy Principles of
demo 1),
Order of Animation
Deformer
transformation
(bounding
ball demo 2),

A2 process
Lecture by
book and
Wk 3 Bruce Barnes:
work-in-
1/22 Principles of
progress
animation
presentations.
Expressions
(bouncing ball Animation -
Expressions, A2 work-in-
Wk 4 demo 3), > Lesson 2
Cinematography: progress
1/29 Driven keys Set Driven
Camera presentation
(bouncing ball key
demo 4)
IK handles Character
and solvers Setup:
Wk 5 Skeleton and Lesson 1 A2 due
Limiting and
2/5 kinematics (skeletons A3 given
damping joint
and
rotation kinematics)
A3 process
book
Character for presentation
Wk 6
Mid-term A3, Animating and work-in-
2/12
bi-ped walk progress
presentations
on A3.1
Wk 7 Human
A3.1 due
2/19 movements
Wk 8 Shape A3.2 due

2/26 interpolation A4 given

A4 process
Lecture by book and
Wk 9
Bruce Barnes: work-in-
3/4
Timing progress
presentations
*** Spring break

3/11
***
Wk A4 due
Animal
10 A5 final
movements
3/18 project given
A5 process
Wk book and
Portfolio
11 work-in-
preparation
3/25 progress
presentation
Procedural
Wk animation Dynamics -> A5 work-in-
12 Lecture by Lessons 1 & progress
4/3 Garman 2 presentations
Herigstad
Wk A5 work-in-
Motion capture
13 progress
demo
4/10 presentations
Wk Title & credits, ,

14 Final project A5 due
4/17 presentation
Finals
week
4/24

Assignments A1. One bouncing ball description work submitted
A2. Two bouncing balls description work submitted
A3. Push and pull description work submitted
A4. Neutral walk vs emotional walk description work submitted
A5. Final project description work submitted
Save your work frequently. Change the file name occasionally to keep
older versions, instead of saving your work using the same file name
over and over. Older versions may be useful when the latest file gets
corrupted and cannot be opened or when you mess things up and
want to go back to what you had before. Also, backup your work area
periodically, e.g., if you are working on your assignment using your
hard disc, save what you have on your hard disc onto a CD, DVD, or
flash memory. Reasons, such as "I lost my work when Maya crashed."
or "I lost my assignment when my hard disc crashed," are not
accepted as an excuse to turn in an assignment late without the
penalty described below.
Plagiarism: When a student submits a work created by someone else

as his/her work, it will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office and
dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism. Read Student
Conduct and Discipline below for more details.
Note that copying writing or any other type of work by someone else
and submitting it as own work is plagiarism. Types of work subjected
to plagiarism include but are not limited: writing, drawing, photography,
story idea, script, storyboards, sound, texture, lighting design, 3D
model, animation, level design, scripting, and programming.
A failing course grade will be recommended by the instructor to the

Judicial Affaires Office as one of the possible penalties. Heavier
penalties will be given to a repeated offender by the University.
Even if a plagiary committed in this semester is not discovered within

the semester it will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office when it is

discovered in one of the following semesters. Possible penalties
include replacing a passing course grade previously recorded with a
failing grade.
An individual who is not currently enrolled as a university student

remains subject to the disciplinary process for conduct that occurred
during any period of enrollment. Thus, students will be accountable for
plagiarism and other misconduct even after graduation.
Grading Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course

policies objectives through fulfillment of course assignments and by
contributing to class discussions and critiques. Course assignments
will require students to use software and equipment available at the
ATEC computer labs. Course evaluation will be based upon the
following.
Point Required for Grade:
A 90 - 100%
B 80 - 89%
C 70 - 79%
D 60 - 69%
F Below 60% is failing
Total Possible Points:
● Assignment 1 accounts for 10% of the course grade, where

25% of the assignment grade is given to process book research
& presentation.
● Assignments 2, 3, and 4 account for 20% of the course grade
each, where 25% of the assignment grade is given to process
book research & presentation.
● Assignment 5 accounts for 25% of the course grade, where
25% of the assignment grade is given to process book research

& presentation.
● Mid-term exam accounts for 20% of the course grade.
● Class participation + pop quizzes account for 5% of the course
grade.
● Total: 100%.
Make-up Exams: Makeup exams are available only to students who

have a legitimate excuse for missing an exam, such as illness,
scheduled job interview out of town, athletic team event out of town,
death in the immediate family, etc. If you know in advance that you
must miss an exam, give a written notice to the instructor in advance,
and bring documentation to support your anticipated absence. If you
miss an exam unexpectedly because of last minute illness or accident,
submit a note to the instructor when you return to campus (or as e-
mail attachment if you will be away for some time) with documentation
of your situation.
Second Chance: A second chance may be given to some of the

assignments during this semester. It is an opportunity to improve your
assignment grade by improving your assignment work. You may
improve your assignment grade only if all the following conditions are
met:
● if your assignment is submitted and presented in class on the

assignment's due date,
● if a second chance is given to the assignment,
● if you improve your assignment significantly using the input from
the instructor and your peers that you receive in the
assignment's critique session,
● if you re-submit the assignment within one week from the
assignment's due date,
● if you email the instructor with a subject line "Assignment X
resubmitted."
Class Attendance: All students are required to be on time and in

attendance for each and every class. Attendance is taken at the
begriming of each class. If you arrive at the classroom after the day's
attendance is taken, it is your responsibility to let the instructor know
of your arrival. If you are not present in the classroom when the
attendance is taken and if you fail to let the instructor know of your late
arrival within the first 30 minutes of the class period, you will be
considered to be absent for the day.

Arriving at the classroom after attendance is taken is considered as

tardy. Arriving at the classroom more than 30 minutes late is
considered as absent.
Two (2) absences are allowed as personal or sick leave for this
semester. Students will receive one letter grade reduction for three (3)
absences. Students who accumulate four (4) absences or more should
consider withdrawing since four (4) absences will result in a failing
grade ("F ") for the course.
Two tardies will be counted as one (1) absence. Every additional tardy
will be counted as one (1) absence.
Falsifying attendance is a violation of the UTD standards of conduct. If

a student who attends a class falsifies the attendance of another
student who is absent, both students will receive failing grades ("F")
for the course and their collusion will be reported to the Judicial Affairs
Office. As the result, the students may receive academic penalties, in
addition to receiving failing grades. Read Student Conduct and
Discipline below for more details.
Students may leave early with instructor's permission; however, such

occurrences should be very infrequent. If a student leaves before the
class is dismissed without the instructor's permission, the student will
be considered to be absent for the day.
Students who miss class, with or without school approved excused

absence(s), are responsible for all class work and materials covered
during their absences.
To receive approval for excused absences (for reasons such as

illness or family emergencies) written document must be submitted.
See the graduate/undergraduate advisor for more information.
Presentation Attendance: All students are required to attend

specified lectures given by guests on the subjects related to this
course during the semester. There may be one, two, or three lectures
that you are required to attend. The instructor will give information
about the lectures (e.g., time & location) as early as possible. If a
required lecture is scheduled outside the regular class time and if you
will not be able to attend the lecture because of a time conflict with
another class that you are enrolled or with your work, submit a written

notice to the instructor in advance; Otherwise, missing a presentation

will be treated as one absence in the manner described in Class
Attendance section above.
Late Assignments: Adherence to deadlines is expected. It is the

individual student's responsibility to keep track of the goals and
deadlines and to present the work to the class and instructor on the
specified dates. Late assignments will affect your grade: 20% will be
deducted for each class period. Students will be expected to make a
formal presentation of their progress on dates specified by the course
timeline.
Class Participation and Classroom Citizenship:
● Cell phones and pagers must be silenced or powered off during

formal class hours.
● Do not talk when others (the instructor, guests, and fellow
students) are talking.
● Students will not use the computers for personal reasons (e.g,
check personal email, surf web) during class time.
● Participate in critique sessions and class discussions. You can
learn a great deal from critique on other students' work as well
on yours.
● While the instructor or a guest is lecturing or demonstrating, you
should be listening to the lecture or observing the
demonstration, instead of emailing or web surfing. Not paying
attention to lectures or demonstrations will affect your grade
directly or indirectly.
Student The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas
Conduct and have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their
Discipline business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student
organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on
student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A
to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic
year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within

the procedures of recognized and established due process.
Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations,

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,

Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of
the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these
rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist
students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-
6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the
responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal,
state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university
regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline
for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes
place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also
imposed for such conduct.
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and
academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree
depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student
for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts

or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a
degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is
not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of
the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying
academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary proceedings .Plagiarism, especially from the
web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s
policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will
use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible
plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Copyright It is a federal crime to reproduce copyrighted software. Anyone caught

Violations reproducing software from the UTD labs will be subject to disciplinary
action. In addition, anyone caught reproducing outside software in the
lab will automatically lose all lab privileges and will be subject to other
disciplinary action as deemed necessary.

Email Use The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency
of communication between faculty/staff and students through
electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email
exchange. The university encourages all official student email
correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address
and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to
maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in
all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students
to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of
from Class any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that
semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be
followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal
requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw
any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will
not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend
the class once you are enrolled.
Student Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on

Grievance Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of
Procedures Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades,

evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the
obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the
matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with
whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning
grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level,
the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a
copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by
the written response provided by the respondent, the student may
submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not

resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a

written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education,
and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel.
The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the
academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the

Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to
assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Incomplete As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for
Grades work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the
course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be
resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent
long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to
remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified
deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of
F.
Disability The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities

Services educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers.
Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union.
Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.;
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.
m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability
Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22

PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those
reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the
basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove
classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case
of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment
requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus
an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes
enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be

rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may

need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the

need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides
students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the
student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after
class or during office hours.
Religious The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or
Holidays other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious
holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from
property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor

as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of
the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the
exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the
absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a
maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and
completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for
the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment
within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam
or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence

[i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is
similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a
reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or
examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling
from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her
designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into
account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and
instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or
designee.

Off-Campus Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are

Instruction subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding
and Course travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and
Activities regulations may be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/
Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is available from the
office of the school dean.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the professor.

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Syllabus for ATEC 4337

ATEC 4337 Computer Animation

Contact Phone: (972) 883-2806

Pre-requisite ATEC 3327

Course ATEC 4337 is the last course in a series of three 3D computer

Learning Demonstrate principles of animation.

Create short animations that demonstrate student's understanding

Develop skills for both collaborative and independent work in

Create an on-line "process book" in HTML format that documents

Enhance the ability to discuss current issues related to 3D computer

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Demonstrate the ability to offer both technical and aesthetic

Course Attend every class and specified lectures on time.

Collect research and document conceptual material in an online

Participate individually and as a contributing member of a team.

Complete reading, study handouts, and assigned tutorials.

Course Class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstration, studio work,

Course Sketchbook 9” x 12”

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Wk 8 Shape A3.2 due

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*** Spring break

Wk Title & credits, ,

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Assignments A1. One bouncing ball description work submitted

A2. Two bouncing balls description work submitted

A3. Push and pull description work submitted

A4. Neutral walk vs emotional walk description work submitted

A5. Final project description work submitted

Plagiarism: When a student submits a work created by someone else

A failing course grade will be recommended by the instructor to the

Even if a plagiary committed in this semester is not discovered within

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the semester it will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office when it is

An individual who is not currently enrolled as a university student

Grading Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course

Point Required for Grade:

F Below 60% is failing

Total Possible Points:

● Assignment 1 accounts for 10% of the course grade, where

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Make-up Exams: Makeup exams are available only to students who

Second Chance: A second chance may be given to some of the

● if your assignment is submitted and presented in class on the

Class Attendance: All students are required to be on time and in

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Arriving at the classroom after attendance is taken is considered as

Falsifying attendance is a violation of the UTD standards of conduct. If

Students may leave early with instructor's permission; however, such

Students who miss class, with or without school approved excused

To receive approval for excused absences (for reasons such as

Presentation Attendance: All students are required to attend

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notice to the instructor in advance; Otherwise, missing a presentation

Late Assignments: Adherence to deadlines is expected. It is the

Class Participation and Classroom Citizenship:

● Cell phones and pagers must be silenced or powered off during

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within

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Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts

Copyright It is a federal crime to reproduce copyrighted software. Anyone caught