New Course Proposal - IAT 241-3 Computer Animation

T. Calvert, School of Interactive Arts and Technology

February 15, 2004

Calendar Information

An introduction to techniques for 3D computer animation such as keyframing, performance animation, procedural methods, motion capture, and simulation. The course also includes an overview of story-boarding, scene composition, lighting and sound track generation. The course will explore current research topics in computer animation such as facial animation, behavioral animation, artificial life and interactive systems.

Special Instructions: Students with credit for IART 219, 220 and 221 may not take this course for further credit.

IART 219-1 Animation: Modeling Identities and Forms, IART 220-1 Animating and Structuring Narrative and IART 221-1 Animation: Rendering Fictive Spaces.

Rationale for Introduction of this Course

This is one of the media skills elective courses that make up the foundation of the Digital Media Environments (DME) stream. This course consolidates three 1-credit module-based (5 week) courses into a single 3-credit semester-based course.

Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?

Elective; probable enrollment is 60-80 students per semester offered.

Scheduling and Registration Information

Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.

2004-3 and annually thereafter.

Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?

Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?

Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.

This course duplicates IART 219-1, IART 220-1, IART 221-1.

Resource Implications

Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.

Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.

This course will use the resources already in place for the three 1-credit modules it replaces.

Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?

Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.

No new resources are required by virtue of this course consolidation. It does use the SFU Surrey IArt PC lab and software.

Course Outline

Course Description

This course introduces techniques for 3D computer animation such as keyframing, performance animation, procedural methods, motion capture, and simulation. The course also includes an overview of story-boarding, scene composition, lighting and sound track generation. The course will explore current research topics in computer animation such as facial animation, behavioral animation, artificial life and interactive systems.