Sheridan Course Outlines

ANIM55785
Introduction to Effects Animation

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2008
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Comp Animation-Dig Vis Eff
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: Richard Cohen
Version: 3.01
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
This hands-on course will cover a broad spectrum of animated elements typically used in non-character based visual effects work. Students learn the gamut from particle system effects for the simulation of a wide variety of natural phenomena through high-touch, key-framed, animated secondary effects such as falling debris and collapsing super structures. Other important topics include channels and procedural animation. Through in class exercises, mentoring, projects and case studies, students reinforce these concepts.

Program Context

Comp Animation-Dig Vis Eff

Program Coordinator: Mark Simon

This is a foundational course in the Computer Animation- Digital Visual Effects Program. The knowledge and skills acquired in this course allow students to use the non-character based forms of animation that are found in film and broadcast throughout the program.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

1. Identify the variety of non character based forms of animation.
2. Create visual effects using the appropriate software.
3. Design the visual effect.
4. Choose the appropriate technique from a variety of non character 
   based forms of animation.
5. Apply the chosen technique in a given shot.
6. Integrate the visual effect in a series of shots.
7. Execute the visual effect.
8. Work independently to complete a series of shots.
9. Complete a series of shots within a given timeframe.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Pseudo parallax		25%	
Camera mapping          35%	
3D tracking             40%            
Total                  100%

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

	Communication		Critical Thinking & Problem Solving		Interpersonal
	Numeracy		Information Management		Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
	X	X

Notes: N/A

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Fall 2008
Professor: Multiple Professors
Textbook(s):

N/A

Applicable student group(s): Students of Computer Animation - Digital Visual Effects
Course Details:

Instructors: James Saley and Richard Cohen

Week 1-2
Module 1: Overview of non character based forms of animation 

Targeted learning outcomes: 1

Topics:
Keyframed Effects
Particle systems
Procedural Animation
Flocking
Dynamics Simulation
Rigid/Soft Body
Collisions/Collision Detection
Channels

Assignment: 
In class exercises

Week 3-5
Module 2:  Particle systems

Targeted learning outcomes: 2, 3, 7 and 8

Topics:
Introduction to particle systems
Emitter
Particle objects
Fields and forces
Collision objects
Particle events
Scripting

Assignment: 
Pseudo parallax		25% (week 5)
In class exercises
Mentoring

Week 6-10
Module 3:  Dynamic effects

Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4,5 6, 7, 8 and 9

Topics:
Introduction to dynamic effects
Constraints
Collision objects
Hard body dynamic
Combining keyframing and dynamics
Soft body dynamic
Fields and forces
Cloth simulation

Assignment: 
Camera mapping           35% (week 10)
In class exercises
Mentoring

Week 11-14
Module 4:  Scripting

Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8 and 9

Topics:
Introduction to scripting
Fluid dynamic
Ocean simulation
Applied scripting
	
Assignment: 
3D tracking     40% (week 14)
In class exercises
Mentoring

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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