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

Syllabus for ATEC 4337
ATEC 4337 Computer Animation

Professor: Midori Kitagawa, Ph.D.
Term: Fall 2008
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 12:00 am - 1:30 pm or by appointment
Class web address: http://atec.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.
file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (1 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Enhance the ability to discuss current issues related to 3D

computer animation.
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 Assignment
Academic Date
with Mata
Calendar
(Calendar is
subject to (in Maya)
change at Help ->
the discretion Tutorials -
of the > (in Maya A1 given
instructor. Help
Check window) Read
History of Learning
periodically Objects
animation, Resources
for updates.) thrown
Keyframe -> through the
animation, Tutorials -
Wk 1 Maya basics, air from
> Getting
8/26 Playblast Timing for
Stretch and Started
Animation.
squash -- watch with Maya -
Read
"Prelude to >
Principles of
Eden" Animation -
> Lesson Animation
1 from Illusion
Keyframing of Life
and the
Graph
Editor

Groups,
parenting,
hierarchy.
Hierarchy Changing
Wk 2
Order of order of
9/2
transformation transformation
(bouncing ball
demo 1),
Lecture by A1 due
Deformer
Wk 3 Bruce Barnes: A2 given
(bounding ball
9/9 Principles of
demo 2)
animation A1 redo
A1 redo (last
chance!)
Expressions A2
(bouncing ball Animation - Processbook
Expressions,
Wk 4 demo 3), > Lesson and work-in-
Cinematography:
9/16 Driven keys 2 Set progress
Camera
(bouncing ball Driven key presentation
demo 4)
Read
Lesseter's
paper
Character
Human Character for Setup:
Wk 5 Lesson 1 A2 due
movements A3, Animating
9/23 (skeletons A3 given
Study for mid- bi-ped walk
and
term
kinematics)

IK handles and
solvers, A2 redo
Wk 6
Mid-term Limiting and A3 process
9/30
damping joint book
rotation
Wk 7 Skeleton and
A3.1 due
10/7 kinematics
Wk 8 Lecture by
A3.2 due
10/14 Bruce Barnes:
A4 given
Timing
A4 process
Wk 9
Motion capture book
10/21
demo presentation
Shape
Wk
interpolation
10
10/28 Animal
movements
Wk A4 work-in-
11 Portfolio progress
11/4 preparation presentations
Wk Procedural Dynamics -
12 > Lessons
animation
11/11 1&2
Wk A4 work-in-
13 progress
11/18 presentations
Wk Title & credits,

14 Final project A4 due
11/25 presentation

Finals
week
12/9
Assignments A1. One bouncing ball work submitted
A2. Two bouncing balls work submitted
A3. Neutral walk vs emotional walk work submitted
A4. Final project 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 15% of the course grade, where 25% of

the assignment grade is given to process book research &

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

Conduct Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient
and conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
Discipline 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

Violations caught 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

from Class withdrawal of 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
Holidays or 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
and Course regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding
Activities these rules and 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.

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

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

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

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

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

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (1 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Enhance the ability to discuss current issues related to 3D

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,

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (2 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Course Sketchbook 9” x 12”

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (3 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (4 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Wk Title & credits,

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (5 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Assignments A1. One bouncing ball work submitted

A2. Two bouncing balls work submitted

A3. Neutral walk vs emotional walk work submitted

A4. Final project work submitted

Save your work frequently. Change the file name occasionally to

Plagiarism: When a student submits a work created by someone

Note that copying writing or any other type of work by someone

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

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (6 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Judicial Affaires Office as one of the possible penalties. Heavier

Even if a plagiary committed in this semester is not discovered

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 15% of the course grade, where 25% of

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (7 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

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

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

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (8 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

day's attendance is taken, it is your responsibility to let the

Arriving at the classroom after attendance is taken is considered as

Two tardies will be counted as one (1) absence. Every additional

Falsifying attendance is a violation of the UTD standards of

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

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

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (9 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

specified lectures given by guests on the subjects related to this

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

file:////Warhol/dox_repository$/syllabus-web-submissions/1222957055+syl-atec4337.001.08f-@mxk047100.htm (10 of 16)10/2/2008 2:57:08 PM

Student The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility