Readings
Readings will be assigned for some of the lectures. You are required to read and understand this material in order to better apply the concept during your own work.
While the class does not require textbooks, we will provide references to
various optional reads that you consult to get a different point of view from
the material taught in class or a more to better understand
the mathematical and technical principles behind some of the subjects taught.
We will take these optional non-technical readings from
Isaac V. Kerlow. The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Imaging. Wiley and Sons, 2000.
and the more technical ones from
Peter Shirley. Fundamentals of Computer Graphics. AK Peters, 2001.
We'd like to stress again that you will not be tested on this material, but
we believe it will give a better technical understanding of the subjects
introduced during the lectures.
30 August: Introduction and 2D Cel Animation
- Da Silva. The Art of Animation.
pp. 111-120
This is an introduction to the various roles required for a traditional
2D cel animation production.
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 1 - Animation, Art, and Technology in Content
Short history of computer animation.
1 September: Production Pipeline
- Walters et al. The Making of Toy Story.
SIGGRAPH 1996 Course Notes
This is a brief introduction to the Pixar productio pipeline circa 1996, i.e.
post Toy Story. In this article you'll find some general information about the
structure of the pipeline as well as tidbits of information about some specific
problems that the authors had to solve during the production.
While today's pipelines have a very different structure, the major problems and
high level goals remains the same as the ones enumarated and addressed during
the production of Toy Story.
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 2 - The Digital Production Process
Introduction to the computer animation production process.
6 September: Modeling
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 4 - Basic Modeling Techniques
Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 5 - Advanced Modeling Techniques
Introduction to the basic and advanced modeling techniques.
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 13 - Curves and Surfaces
Introduction to the mathematics of curve and surface representation.
20 September: Shading
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 9 - Shading and Surface Characteristics
Introduction to surface shading techniques. This sections contains a lot of
nice examples of real world texturing that is worth a look.
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 8 - Surface Shading
Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 10 - Texture Mapping
Surface shading and texture mapping principles and implementation.
27 September: Shading
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 21 - Reflection Models
Advanced reflection models.
4 October: Lighting
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 8 - Lighting
Introduction to lighting techniques. Fairly high level though.
This is an introduction to the various roles required for a traditional 2D cel animation production.
Short history of computer animation.
- Walters et al. The Making of Toy Story.
SIGGRAPH 1996 Course Notes
This is a brief introduction to the Pixar productio pipeline circa 1996, i.e. post Toy Story. In this article you'll find some general information about the structure of the pipeline as well as tidbits of information about some specific problems that the authors had to solve during the production. While today's pipelines have a very different structure, the major problems and high level goals remains the same as the ones enumarated and addressed during the production of Toy Story. - Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 2 - The Digital Production Process
Introduction to the computer animation production process.
6 September: Modeling
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 4 - Basic Modeling Techniques
Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 5 - Advanced Modeling Techniques
Introduction to the basic and advanced modeling techniques.
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 13 - Curves and Surfaces
Introduction to the mathematics of curve and surface representation.
20 September: Shading
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 9 - Shading and Surface Characteristics
Introduction to surface shading techniques. This sections contains a lot of
nice examples of real world texturing that is worth a look.
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 8 - Surface Shading
Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 10 - Texture Mapping
Surface shading and texture mapping principles and implementation.
27 September: Shading
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 21 - Reflection Models
Advanced reflection models.
4 October: Lighting
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 8 - Lighting
Introduction to lighting techniques. Fairly high level though.
Opional - Kerlow. Chapter 5 - Advanced Modeling Techniques
Introduction to the basic and advanced modeling techniques.
Introduction to the mathematics of curve and surface representation.
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 9 - Shading and Surface Characteristics
Introduction to surface shading techniques. This sections contains a lot of nice examples of real world texturing that is worth a look. - Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 8 - Surface Shading
Opional - Shirley. Chapter 10 - Texture Mapping
Surface shading and texture mapping principles and implementation.
27 September: Shading
- Opional -
Shirley. Chapter 21 - Reflection Models
Advanced reflection models.
4 October: Lighting
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 8 - Lighting
Introduction to lighting techniques. Fairly high level though.
Advanced reflection models.
- Opional -
Kerlow. Chapter 8 - Lighting
Introduction to lighting techniques. Fairly high level though.