2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMP5823M Animation and Simulation

15 Credits Class Size: 40

Module manager: Prof Hamish Carr
Email: H.Carr@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

We will assume a good standard of C++ programming, including use of classes, basic templates, and overloading. Knowledge of computer architecture, in particular the memory hierarchy.

Pre-requisites

COMP5812M Foundations of Modelling and Rendering

Co-requisites

COMP5822M High-Performance Graphics

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Building on the fundamentals of rendering covered in COMP5812M, this module covers motion in virtual environments, including animation, simulation, and specialised rendering effects, based initially on Parent, Computer Animation (3d ed).

Objectives

* teach students all aspects of motion and animation in computer graphics, including
* principles of interpolation required for animation
* path-based motion control and animation
* object deformation and interpolation
* hierarchical kinematic modelling
* forward and inverse kinematics
* motion capture
* motion blending & retargeting
* spring animations, particle systems, rigid body simulations and rag-doll physics, modelling constraints based on collision detection
* fluid simulation, including water bodies, clouds & fire
* computational fluid dynamics & smoothed particle hydrodynamics
* modelling human & animal characters, including skinning, layering, muscle modelling & rigging
* standard human motions such as reaching, grasping, coordination and locomotion
* modelling clothing, fur and hair
* facial modelling, animation & lip-synching
* behavioural modelling, including flocking, autonomous & intelligent motion control & crowd behaviours
* principles of user controlled animation & motion planning

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, a student should be able to implement the techniques described, either on CPU or GPU as desired.

Syllabus

* Interpolation of Motion
* Angular Interpolation with Quaternions, Slerp, and Splines
* Interpolation-Based Animation: Deformations, Shapes & Morphing
* Kinematic Linkages
* Motion Capture, Blending & Retargeting
* Physically-Based Animations: Springs, Particles, Rigid Bodies, Cloth
* Fluids: Liquids & Gases
* Human Figures: Skinning, Layering, Rigging, Human Motions
* Clothing, Fur & Hair
* Facial Modelling & Animation
* Behavioural Animation: Flocking, Autonomy & Crowd Behaviours

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 20 1 20
Private study hours 130
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Private study

Students will be expected to review the material presented in lectures in their own time, and demonstrate their practical competence in a selection of techniques. At the MSc level, this is best done through independent work on programming assignments, with support from the lecturer as needed.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Bi-weekly assignments will provide the ability to provide metered feedback without micro-managing students’ work.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
In-course Assessment Assignment 1 - Free-form deformation 25
In-course Assessment Assignment 2 - Inverse kinematics 25
In-course Assessment Assignment 3 - Cloth simulation 25
In-course Assessment Assignment 4 - Fluid simulation & animation 25
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

This module is reassessed by coursework only.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 26/09/2023

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team