• Understand the 3D computer animation production process. 
  
• Understand the theory and practice of motion capture technology
• Develop an animation to be included in a professional portfolio.
• Learn technical terms related to 3D computer animation and motion capture technology.
• Enhance the ability to discuss current issues related to 3D computer animation.
• Demonstrate the ability to offer both technical and aesthetic criticisms of the work of peers and self.
• Create an on-line "process book" in HTML format that documents the conceptual, technical, and artistic development throughout the semester.
• Understand the latest technology and develop new applications in motion capture.

• Attend every class and specified lectures on time.
• Complete assignments on time and in a professional manner.
• Collect research and document conceptual material in an online process book.
• Participate individually and as a contributing member of a team.
• Complete reading, study handouts, and assigned tutorials.

Class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstration, studio work, critiques, video/dvd viewing, and discussions focusing on class assignments. The class format will take on a variety of styles, as the subject dictates. Examples will be presented and discussed in lectures, dvds/videos and demonstrations. Students will present their work in work-in-progress reviews and critique sessions.

Students are encouraged to complete all work at the ATEC computer labs in order to benefit from collaborative learning with your peers.  Students choosing to use "offsite" hardware and software must bring their current working files to the class and have them available for review at the beginning of each and every class. Problems with "offsite" systems and/or incompatibility will not be an acceptable excuse for missed or late or assignments. 

Assignments 1 through 5 are the milestones for the animation project that you spend one semester to complete. If (only if) you are taking this class for the second time and if you have an alternative project schedule, have the instructor's approval and post the production schedule in your process book.

On the due date of an assignment, make the assignment work presentable (e.g., transfer files to an appropriate folder before the class starts.

Save your work frequently. Change the file name occasionally to keep older versions, instead of saving your work using the same file name over and over. Older versions may be useful when the latest file gets corrupted and cannot be opened or when you mess things up and want to go back to what you had before. Also, backup your work area periodically, e.g., if you are working on your assignment using your hard disc, save what you have on your hard disc onto a CD, DVD, or flash memory.

Reasons, such as "I lost my work when Maya crashed." or "I lost my assignment when my hard disc crashed," are not accepted as an excuse to turn in an assignment late.

Give descriptive names to your motion data files, scene files, and any other types of files. Manage your group project by organizing folders/files and communicating with your project members, i.e., develop project management skills and communication skills. These skills are important not just for the project in this course but for your careers.

When the instructor suspects that a student has submitted a work by someone else as one's own work, it will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office and dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism. Note that copying writing or any other type of work by someone else and submitting it as own work is plagiarism. Types of work subjected to plagiarism include but are not limited: writing, drawing, photography, story idea, script, storyboard, sound, texture, lighting design, 3D model, animation, level design, scripting, and programming.

For instance,

• Copying a fellow student's assignment, modifying it, and submitting it as own work is a plagiary.
• Copying a file from a DVD or the internet, modifying it, and submitting as own work is plagiary.

A failing grade will be recommended by the instructor to the Judicial Affaires Office as one of the possible penalties. Heavier penalties will be given to a repeated offender by the University.

Even if a plagiary committed in this semester is not discovered within the semester, it will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office when it is discovered in one of the following semesters. Possible penalties include replacing a passing course grade previously recorded with a failing grade.

An individual who is not currently enrolled as a university student remains subject to the disciplinary process for conduct that occurred during any period of enrollment. Thus, students will be accountable for plagiarism and other misconduct even after graduation.Read Student Conduct and Discipline for more details.

Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course objectives through fulfillment of course assignments and by contributing to class discussions and critiques. Course assignments will require students to use software and equipment available at the ATEC computer labs. Course evaluation will be based upon the following.

Point Required for Grade (4.0 scale):

Total Possible Points:

• Assignments 1 - 4: 10% of the course grade each, where 20% of the assignment grade is given to process book research.
• Assignment 5: 30 % of the course grade, where 20% of the assignment grade is given to process book research.
• Pop quizzes from reading assignments: 10% of the course grade.
  
• Mid-term research paper & presentation: 20% of the course grade.
• Total: 100%.
  

All students are required to be on time and in attendance for each and every class. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. If you arrive at the classroom after the day's attendance is taken, it is your responsibility to let the instructor know of your arrival.

If you are not present in the classroom when the attendance is taken and if you fail to let the instructor know of your late arrival within the first 30 minutes of the class period, you will be considered to be absent for the day.

• Arriving at the classroom after attendance is taken is considered as tardy.
• Arriving at the classroom more than 30 minutes late is considered as absent.
• Two (2) absences are allowed as personal or sick leave for this semester.
• Students will receive one letter grade reduction for three (3) absences.

Students who accumulate four (4) absences or more should consider withdrawing since four (4) absences will result in a failing grade ("F ") for the course.Two tardies will be counted as one (1) absence.

Every additional tardy will be counted as one (1) absence.

Falsifying attendance is a violation of the UTD standards of conduct. If a student who attends a class falsifies the attendance of another student who is absent, both students will be reported to the Judicial Affairs Office. As the result, the students may receive academic penalties, in addition to receiving failing grades. Read Student Conduct and Discipline for more details.

Students may leave early with instructor's permission; however, such occurrences should be very infrequent. If a student leaves before the class is dismissed without the instructor's permission, the student will be considered to be absent for the day.

Students who miss class, with or without school approved excused absence(s), are responsible for all class work and materials covered during their absences. To receive approval for excused absences (for reasons such as illness or family emergencies) written document must be submitted. See the graduate/undergraduate advisor for more information.

• Cell phones and pagers must be silenced or powered off during formal class hours.
• Do not talk when others (e.g., the instructor, a guest speaker, fellow students) are talking.
• Students will not use the computers for personal reasons (e.g., check personal email, surf web) during class time.
• Participate in critique sessions and class discussions. You can learn a great deal from critique on other students' work as well on yours.
• While the instructor or a guest is lecturing or demonstrating, you should be listening to the lecture or observing the demonstration, instead of emailing or web surfing. Not paying attention to lectures or demonstrations will affect your grade directly or indirectly.

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details).

This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Read Student Conduct and Discipline for more details.

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas , SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson , Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.