Lee Boot
x3358
boot@umbc.edu
Office hours 5-6pm Tuesdays or appointment: FA108-C

ECS104a

Tues.,Thurs. 11:00am – 12:50pm

O’Rourke, Michael, Principles of Three-Dimensional Animation
ISBN 0-393-73024-7 (Required)

Alias/Wavefront, Learning Maya (Suggested)

Syllabus: gl.umbc.edu/~boot/Art384.html

UNIX: imda.umbc.edu/104_help/

(All required)
• Drawing pad—minimum 9"x12" with at least 60lb. paper
Drawings for presentation are to have clean, well-trimmed edges so you’ll have to cut off those scrappy ones left by spiral-binding.
• Lined notebook
• A stock of good #2 or 2B pencils and erasers.
• A blank VHS tape

Students best prepared to take this class are those who have had a filmmaking class, can draw reasonably well, write reasonable well, and feel comfortable using computers.

Animation—very exciting. We will use computers to breath life into the non-living—a clear validation of the Greek, man-as-God/humanists ideal. We’ll create whole worlds we can control! (Is this healthy?)

Of course it is. This is an art course. What could be better? It is an opportunity to learn about art making using a fascinating technology. Of course successful animated works must include images that are moving in every sense—images that are both animated and that matter to you. Consequently, as tempting as it would be to focus only on the technical aspects of computer animation, we will focus as much as possible on what to make as well. In this class, you are creators—storytellers and directors, as well as craftspeople. Work will be developed, discussed and evaluated accordingly.

In the gap between computer technology and art lies theory, technique, and skill. In this course you will expand your knowledge of the creative process, story structure and time-based art generally. We will study some general film theory and more specific animation theory. You will develop your ability to articulate your plans in writing and storyboards. Strong emphasis will be placed on the techniques used in 3-D computer modeling, animation, and rendering common to all software/hardware packages. Much of what you learn will be knowledge that can transfer to other materials and disciplines.

To create the animations themselves you will use a sophisticated tool designed to make virtual 3-D worlds. You will use Alias/Wavefront’s Maya running within the UNIX operating system on Silicon Graphics computers. You will be expected to master the basics of both Maya and UNIX.

For this class, appropriation of elements from the web, or other sources is strongly discouraged. It is important that you build your work from the ground up to maximize learning of skills and techniques as well as developing your own esthetic.

This class is very demanding. Count on spending a few hours a week working in the lab outside of class. In addition, you will spend time at home reading, writing and drawing as part of the development of the four animation assignments. Writing and drawing are essential to the process and weighted accordingly in your overall grade.

There will be clear criteria established for all assignments, however, artwork cannot be graded without subjective judgement. Enrollment in the class will be taken as an agreement to trust me to judge you fairly and thoughtfully. Some factors will have very predictable results: work that is late for the critique will be dropped one grade, and one grade further for each week it is late. Excellent work will get an "A," good work will get a "B," average/adequate work will earn a "C," below average work, a "D," poor work an "E," and non-existent work, a "0."

Two or more unexcused absences will reduce your grade. Three or more may result in failure. Three unexcused late arrivals will reduce your grade.

Students must follow the policies of the Visual Arts Department and the University Computing Service on use of the computer labs. Failure to do so will result in loss of access to the labs or VART Disks (your assigned disk space for work). Faculty has full access to your VART Disk account.