ATEC 4370---Animation

Course Hours: 3
Time: Wednesday 12:30

Instructor: Bruce Barnes

Phone:(972) 883-2860
Office: ARTS 1.114
E-Mail: bruce.barnes@utdallas.edu

Office Hours: Thursdays 12:00-2:00

Course Description: Students will be introduced to and work on animation principles that
are common to all forms of time-based art/animation.

Course Objectives: Understanding and applying classic animation principles in the class
projects.

Assignments: The due dates and projects may change or be adjusted based on over all
class progress.

Project #1: Squash and Stretch

Animating 3 balls of differing weights and material properties.

Project #2: Morphing

Morphing (transforming) object one into a second object. Then morphing the second
object into a third object. Then finally morphing the third object back into the first.

Project #3 Anticipation/Action/Follow-Through
Animating the three stages of a complete action.

Project #4: Walk Cycle:

Animating a biped walk cycle

Project #5: Weight and Balance:

Creating an animation exhibiting the properties of weight and balance

Project #6: Leaf Drop

Animating a falling leaf

Project #7: Waving Flag:

Going off an x-sheet, animate a flag from a resting position to full extension, and then
back into a resting position.
Project #8: Lip Sync
Animating to a sound file

The Final Project: Create an animation of at least 5 seconds that incorporates animation
principles covered during the semester.

Grading:

You will be evaluated based upon:

Your personal growth and effective application of the principles and techniques we cover
in class.
Successful Completion of the projects on the due date
Attendance is not an option. Be there!
Class and critique participation

10% of your final grade will be based upon your constructive participation in class
discussions and critiques as well as your attendance. That means showing up for every
class and being on time and in your seat ready to go at the start of the class time. Any
skipping out before the class is dismissed will be re-recorded as an absence. Everyone is
permitted one unexcused absence however you are not excused from the work and any
class deadlines. Each unexcused absence after that will result in a one-letter grade drop
per absence. Example: 2 unexcused absences will lower a final grade of B down two
letters to a D. The final grade for the class will be recorded as a D.

Materials: Most materials are provided. You are responsible for providing yourself with
pencils and an 11’’by 9’’ spiral bound sketchbook.

Accommodation Process
It is the policy of UTD to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for the
individuals with documented disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable
federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the
student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate office in a timely manner of he/she
desires to arrange accommodations.

Scholastic Dishonesty
UTD may initiate proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to statements, acts, or omissions related
to application for enrollment, the ward of a degree, and/or the submission of one’s work
material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve one or more of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and falsifying academic records.

Cheating is a willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during

an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer
files, coping internet material, using someone else’s work for assignments as if it were
one’s own, and any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a
course.

Plagiarism is the use of an author’s work or ideas as if they were one’s own without
giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct
quotation.