CSC 2529, Winter, 2005: Character Animation

Instructor Karan Singh
Email karan@dgp.toronto.edu
Phone (416) 978-7201
Office Hours BA 5258 (by appointment)

Lectures T 3-5pm, WB258, or DGP when announced.

Online www.cs.utoronto.ca/~csc2529

Synopsis

This course is a project intensive study on the art and science of computer generated character animation.

Topics

Most of the following will be covered:
character modeling, deformation, skinning, kinodynamic control, behavioral motion, motion capture, motion graphs. 

Course Texts

Recommended Learning Maya | Character Rigging and Animation, Alias Inc.
Recommended Richard Parent, Computer Animation Algorithms and Techniques, Morgan Kaufmann
Recommended Richard Williams, The Animators survival kit, Faber and Faber.

Grading Scheme

weight
Paper Presentation (individual) 30%
Assignment (individual) 10%
Animation Project (upto 3 people) 60%

You are expected to be a competent programmer in C or C++ in this course. You will a need knowledge of basic 3D computer graphics, rudimentary Open GL and a strong math foundation. Prior knowledge of the Maya animation system is desirable, you may want to do a little background reading and play around with the Maya Personal Learning Edition. While projects need not be done exclusively in Maya, using the API as the programming platform is encouraged.

Computer Facilities, St. George campus

The programming assignments may make use of the CDF Unix facilities. Room 3116 has been sepecially configured for this course. Those unfamiliar with CDF will find A student's Guide to CDF to be useful. This guide is available in the bookstore.

The course newsgroup ut.cdf.csc2529h will be used as a forum for discussion.