CP SC 881-02

Physically Based Effects

Spring 2010

MWF 11:15-12:05, McAdams 114, 3 credits


 Lana's Fire

Fire Tendrils - Effect courtesy of Lana Sun



Professor: Donald H. House

office: 319 McAdams Hall, phone: 656-2844
hours: 4:00 - 5:00 Tu/Th
email: dhouse@cs.clemson.edu

Web Page: http://www.cs.clemson.edu/~dhouse/courses/881

Introduction

Texts

Schedule

People

Assignments

Final Project Proposals

Resources and Documentation


Introduction

The use of physically-based dynamic simulation techniques in the production of digital special effects. The course will emphasize tools, techniques and pipeline. Laboratory assignments will be done using Houdini and student's custom code.

Texts and Readings

Course Objectives

Physical simulation is used heavily in the production of digital special effects. This course will concentrate on practical tools and techniques for these simulated effects. The tool of choice will be Houdini, which has a procedurally organized underlying structure, and interactive interface, as well as a good system for programming procedures using Python. The specific goals of the course are:
1) To understand the main techniques used in producing physical effects, including particle systems, rigid bodies, cloth, hair and fur, and fluid simulation.
2) To become familiar with Houdini's tools and interactive interface and programming interface for working with these techniques.
3) To develop some practical experience developing simulated effects.

Course Schedule

  1. Introduction to Procedural Animation
  2. The Houdini Interactive Interface
  3. Particle Systems
  4. The Houdini Object Model (HOM)
  5. Scripting Houdini using Python
  6. Rigid Bodies
  7. Fracture
  8. Cloth and Other Flexible Bodies
  9. Crumpling and Tearing
  10. Hair and Fur
  11. Smoke, Fire and Water

Projects, Exams and Grading

This will be a project oriented course, with the major emphasis in the course on mastering practical concepts and using them to produce strong visual results. There will be four assigned projects, and culminated by a project of the students' own devising. The assigned project average grade will count for 60% of the final grade. The final project will count 20% of the final grade. Students will demonstrate their solutions to assignments and their final project in class, and grading will be based on the quality of the presentation. The remaining 20% of the grade will be based on the instructor's subjective evaluation of class participation, which will include such issues as attendance and informed classroom discussion. To make sure that the classes are interesting and informative, everyone will be expected to attend class, to have completed assigned work on time, and to share what they have learned in classroom discussions.

Late assignements will incur a 10% penalty per week that they are late. Since assignements will be graded by demonstrating them in class, and the late penalty is stiff, it will be a good idea to implement your projects in stages so that you will always have something to show even if you do not successfully complete an assignment.

Late Class Policy

Your instructor will make every effort to be in class on time, or to inform you of any delay or cancellation. In the unusual event that he should not arrive in class or send word by 15 minutes from the class start time, the class is officially cancelled.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in class is expected. Remember that a high percentage of the grade is based on class participation.

Collaboration Yes, Plagiarism No

In this course, we want to encourage collaboration and the free interchange of ideas among students and in particular the discussion of homework problems, approaches to solving them, etc. However, we do not allow plagiarism, which, as commonly defined, consists of passing off as one's own ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.

Copyright

Materials in this course are copyrighted. They are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in this course and only for instructional activities associated with and for the duration of the course. They may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further. They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act. Students should refer to the Use of Copyrighted Materials and “Fair Use Guidelines” policy on the Clemson University website for additional information:  http://www.lib.clemson.edu/copyright/.

Disability Access

It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities.  Students are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services to discuss their individual needs for accommodation.

Academic Integrity

As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of this institution as a ‘high seminary of learning.’ Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of others.  Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree.  Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form. In instances where academic standards may have been compromised, Clemson University has a responsibility to respond appropriately and expeditiously to charges of violations of academic integrity.
 
Please refer to the graduate academic integrity policy, approved March 26, 2007 by the Provost’s Advisory Council, at http://gradspace.editme.com/AcademicGrievancePolicyandProcedures#integritypolicy
Each graduate student should read this policy annually to be apprised of this critical information.