ATEC 3327Intermediate 3D Computer Animation

CourseCredit Hours: 3
Time: T
Web addresshttp://atec.utdallas.edu/midori/3327/syllabus.htm
InstructorKyoung Swearingen
Email: klee@dnahelix.com
Office Hoursby appointment only
CourseATEC 3327 the second course in a series of three 3D computer
Descriptionanimation courses. This course focuses on digital lighting, texturing,
and rendering issues for 3D computer animation.
CourseEstablish a methodology for digital lighting design.
ObjectivesDevelop an understanding of shading techniques and applications.
Develop an understanding of composition through lighting, camera,
and color.

Create a collection of still images and materials that demonstrate

student's understanding on the topics covered in this course.

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

conceptual, technical, and artistic development throughout the
semester.
Enhance ability to discuss current issues related to 3D modeling and
computer animation.
Demonstrate the ability to offer both technical and aesthetic criticisms
of the work of peers and self.
CourseStudents are expected to be participating and working in each and
Methodologyevery class. Students are encouraged to collaborate in solving some
of the difficult technical and conceptual problems that are part of their
project. Class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstration, studio
work, critiques, video reference, 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,
videos and demonstrations. Students will present their work in 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 have
their current working files on the system and 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 assignments.

Week Topics Maya: Getting Assign-

Date Started ment
Wk 1
Intro to Maya Lighting (lights.mb) A1 given
8/23

Wk 2 Types of digital lights

8/30 Three point lighting

Wk 3 A1 process book
Shadow map
9/6 due

Wk 4
Cameras
9/13

Lighting effects.
Wk 5
Linking lights-objects.
9/20
Animating lights.

Wk 6
Studio Work Day
9/27

Wk 7 A1 due
A1 Critque
10/4 A2 given

(ShadeOrange.m
Wk 8 Materials. b, A2 process book
10/11 UV Mapping Techniques. mayakist.iff) due
(3Dpaint.mb)

Layered textures, painting (tireDisplacem

Wk 9
textures, displacement ent.mb,
10/18
mapping tread.tif)

Wk 10 A2 due
A2 Critque
10/25 A3 given

Wk 11 Environment mappings
11/1 Motion blur, depth of field

Ray-tracing
global illumination
Wk 12 A3 process book
Radiosity
11/8 due
Mental Ray
Ambient Occlusion

Wk 13
Studio Work Day
11/15

Wk 14
Studio Work Day
11/22

Wk 15
A3 final presentation A3 due
11/29

Assignments A1. Time of day and mood description

A2 description work submitted
A3 work submitted
 Grading policyStudents must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course
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. Collaboration between students in the course,
other faculty, staff and students in the ATEC program is encouraged.
Course evaluation will be based upon the following:
l Assignments 1 and 2: 25% each, where 30% of each
assignment grade is given to process book research.
l Assignment 3: 30% each, where 30% of the assignment
grade is given to process book research.
l Mid-term exam: 20% of the course grade.

All students are required to be on time and in attendance for each and
every class. Students arriving to class more than 15 minutes late will
be counted as absent. Two (2) absences will lower a final grade by
1/2 a letter. Three (3) absences will lower your final grade by one
letter. Four (4) absences will result in a failing grade ("F ") for the
course.
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: 10% 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.

If you need to drop the class for any reason, you are responsible for
initiating the drop procedure. Contact the Register's Office. If you do
not withdraw by the specific drop date and you do not fulfill the
requirements of the class, you will receive a failing grade.
Grading Scale A+/A 4.00 C 2.00
A- 3.67 C- 1.67
B+ 3.33 D+ 1.33
B 3.00 D 1.00
B- 2.67 D- 0.67
C+ 2.33 F

TextbooksDigital Lighting and Rendering, by Jeremy Birn, New Riders

CourseNotebook/Sketchbook
SuppliesArchive Material: CD or DVD
AccommodationIt is the policy of UTD to provide reasonable and appropriate
Processaccommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. This
University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable
accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the appropriate office in a
timely manner if s/he desires to arrange for accommodations.
 ScholasticUTD may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused
Dishonestyof scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to statements, acts, or omissions related to application for
enrollment, the ward of a degree, and/or the submission of one's work
of material that is not one's own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve
one or more of the following acts; cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and
falsifying academic records.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an
unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining
examination questions in advance, copying computer files, copying
internet material, using someone else's work for assignments as if it
were one's own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill
the requirements of a course.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's works or ideas as if they were
one's own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited
to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
CopyrightIt is a federal crime to reproduce copyrighted software. Anyone
Violationscaught 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.