ACAT Handbook 1994 Entry

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ARTV3003 Sub-Major 3: Computer Animation

Six hours per week for one semester, involving:
–supervised practical studio work.
–a seminar involving animation screening, prepared talks, group discussions and guest lecturers.
Prerequisite Sub-Major 2
Aims To gain an advanced level of practical expertise in animation, sound and programming for computer animation.
To learn about the history of animation in the context of both the arts and the sciences.
To gain practical experience in algorithmic animation. 
To develop a deeper understanding of computer animation and its methods
Content Animation Seminar
Early cinema, traditional animation (Disney, etc.), early experimental animators (Lye, McLaren, Whitney), animation mediums and techniques (Cels, Clay, Sand), Kinetic Art and Interactive Art, contemporary animation films.  Sonic aspects of animation.  Applications of computer animation in areas beside film (visual arts, performance and communication).

Algorithmic Animation
An introduction to graphics animation programming on the Amiga using turtle geometry in FORTH.
Practical exercises in the design of particle systems for modelling and animation.

Computer Animation Practice
A series of programming exercises in controlling thirdparty software via scripts, files and control languages (e.g. Arexx).
User interface design using mouse and keyboard input, windows, gadgets and menus.
A minor performance work utilising custom software.

Computer Animation Theory
Introduction to Advanced geometric modelling:
–algebraic curves and surfaces
–vector fields
–procedural modeling
–fractals
–graftals and Lyndenmeyer-systems
–constructive solid geometry.
Introduction to advanced rendering techniques:
–adaptive algorithms
–raster image processing
–filtering
–mapping and warping
–procedural 3D texture and hypertexture
–voxels and volumetric rendering.
Assessment Students are required to prepare and submit one discussion paper on an aspect of animation (an animator, a work or a technique), and present a 30-minute talk on the topic.  They are also required to keep a journal of seminar notes.  The first half of Semester I will be spent doing short exercises to be presented together in a folio.  Students are required to prepare a minor work during the last half of this semester to be performed at the end of it.  There will be periodic exercises and assignments.
Texts none
References Barnsley, M.F., Fractals Everywhere, Academic Press, 1988.
Devaney, R., Chaos, Fractals and Dynamics, Addison-Wesley, 1989.
Farin, G., Curves and Surfaces for Computer Aided Geometric Design: A Practical Guide, Academic Press, 1988.
Fiume, E.L., The Mathematical Structure of Raster Graphics, Academic Press, 1989.
Glassner, A., An Introduction to Ray Tracing, Academic Press, 1989.
Hoffman, C., Geometric and Solid Modeling: An Introduction, Morgan Kaufmann, 1989.
Myers, B.A., Creating User Interfaces by Demonstration, Academic Press, 1988.
Pietgen, H.0, and Richter, RH., The Beauty of Fractals: Images of Complex Dynamical Systems, Springer-Verlag, 1986.

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