CP SC 881

Physically Based Animation

Spring 2009

MWF 10:10-11:00, McAdams 118C, 3 credits


 Emitter 2 Still

Emitter 2 - Animation courtesy of Landon Grey


Professor: Donald H. House


office: 319 McAdams Hall, phone: 656-2284
hours: 4:00 - 5:00 Tu
email: dhouse@cs.clemson.edu

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

Introduction

Texts

Schedule

People

Assignments

Final Project Proposals

Resources and Documentation


Introduction

Physically-based modeling and dynamic simulation techniques as used for the automatic description of motion and geometry for animation and computer graphics. A variety of approaches are explored, with a special emphasis on the use of particle-systems to represent complex phenomena.

Texts and Readings

Course Objectives

We will begin by looking at the problem of simulating a bouncing ball, and use this problem to review relevant principles of Calculus, Physics, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods, and Interactive Graphics. This will give us the background to investigate an approach to the modeling and simulation of amorphous phenomena using massive particle simulations. We will also address ways of treating special materials and phenomena using interacting particle systems. First we will examine techniques for the representation of flocking and herding using systems of multiple interacting actors. Then, we will introduce the classic spring-mass-damper system and see how it can be used to construct flexible structures from mass particles connected with "springy'' links. Computational problems in modeling springy behavior will require us to investigate more sophisticated numerical methods for computing our simulations, such as adaptive time stepping and implicit integration. We will then look at the problem of rigid body dynamics, where structures are built from "rigid'' links. This will require a formal introduction to the notion of rotational dynamics. All of our early simulations will be done using forward dynamics, where the inputs to a simulation are forces and the outputs are positions and velocities. However, the inverse situation, where the inputs are positions and velocities and the outputs are forces, is often much closer to what is required in choreographing a computer animation. This concept will be generalized to deal with a variety of geometric constraints. We will conclude the course by looking at fluid dynamics, and how concepts from this field can be implemented efficiently to simulate such phenomena as water, smoke and fire.

Course Schedule

  1. Introduction to Physically Based Modeling
  2. Collision Detection
  3. Simple Particle Systems
  4. Explicit Numerical Integration
  5. Interacting Particle Systems and Actors
  6. Spring-Mass-Damper Systems
  7. Springy Structures
  8. "Stiff" Systems and Implicit Numerical Integration
  9. Rigid Body Dynamics
  10. Constraint Systems and Inverse Dynamics
  11. Smoke and fluids

Projects, Exams and Grading

This will be a project oriented course, with assignments done on the computer about every two weeks, and culminated by a project of the students' own devising. Cumulative regular homework project average grade will count for 70% 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 10% 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 carefully read assigned readings, to have completed the programming assignments and to participate actively in class discussions.

Late assignements will incur a 10% penalty per class session that they are late. Since they 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.

For each assignment, you will give me a directory containing 1) a text README file containing a written description of your project and any special features or techniques you implemented, 2) your source code with a Makefile, 3) any parameter or data files necessary to run your program. Your code must be compilable and tested in a Unix environment (linux or Macintosh). I will only be looking at your source code to satisfy my curiosity, not to give you detailed critiques. Thus it will be up to you to make sure that I understand what you have done. If your project is not entirely self-explanatory, please include instructions for running it in the written description.

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 optional, but remember that a 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.