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ART 330 - Computer Animation II  
 
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Section 1 Tuesday Thursday 8:00am - 10:50am MCCE 506
Section 2 Tuesday Thursday 2:00pm - 4:50pm MCCE 506
Instructor
Rebecca Ruige Xu
Office: MCCE 502C
Phone: 417-836-8807
Email: RebeccaXu@MissouriState.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday Thursday 1:00pm - 1:50pm
                    Wednesday 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Course Information
This course is a further exploration of visual expression in animation. 3-dimensional modeling/surfacing, lighting and rendering techniques will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on visual problem solving: developing working relationships between concept, visualization and technical considerations. The primary application that will be used is NewTek LightWave 3D (version 8.5).

Because of the learning curve that the software presents, we spend the semester developing and honing these basic skills which gives all students time to acclimate to the new software environment. Students who already have skills in this area, as more are entering our program do, will not be bored in this class, but challenged into improving their skills. The aesthetic side of this class focuses on developing the power of the expression in a single frame: increasing awareness of camera point-of-view, composition, and how lighting informs composition and storytelling.

Each of the assignments will conclude with a discussion and viewing of the finished work [critique]. Students are expected to present their completed projects to the whole class. Students are expected to vocally participate in the discussions of each project presented. This is an ART class and dialog is an integrate part of art.

Prerequisite
ART 230

Required Supplies
  • A journal or sketchbook for journaling, drawing and storyboarding.
  • a CD(s) or data DVD for submission of all course files for review at the end of the semester.
  • 5-10 CDs/DVDs for backing up data. Note: Students will be solely responsible for making backup copies of ALL their data. This is important! Accidents do occur and you will be held to all deadlines regardless. Save now, save often and make LOTS of backups.
Some projects may require the purchase of additional supplies as needed on an individual basis.

Recommended Book
  • Inside LightWave v9,by Dan Ablan, New Riders Press, ISBN-10: 0321426843.

Grading
This is a studio course and WILL require work beyond the scheduled class period. Computer lab hours will be posted.

Grades on individual exercises and assignments will be averaged to determine the student's final grade. Grades for "exercises" will be averaged together to equal one "assignment" grade, which will be averaged together equally with each of the other assignment grades.

In cases where grade averages are on the borderline to a higher level, class participation, especially during critiques and lectures, may positively affect a student's final grade.

Individual Grade Expectations:
A       Superior work. Projects have a consistent excellence in all aspects of visual expression, technical execution, conceptual completion and presentation. Work shows creativity and insight, and goes beyond the requirements.
B       Very Good Work. Projects are above average and exhibit a high level of consistent quality. Good concept. Noticeable competence in technical skills. Solutions to assignments exhibit an attempt to understand potentials beyond prevailing standards.
C       Satisfactory/Average work. Satisfactory completion of all required work. Solutions generally lack significant evidence of growth, individual research or originality of work. Projects exhibit basic skills; need more time and attention to detail.
D       Inadequate work. Below prevailing standards in effort and/or execution. Projects in one or more way fail to meet the requirements, but reasonable enough to pass.
F       Unacceptable work. Projects exhibit minimal effort, consideration and/or poor execution. Projects fail to meet requirements. Incomplete projects will result in a failing grade.
Failure to meet assignment and project deadlines will result in lowered grades. For each class day the assignment is overdue, its grade will be lowered one full letter. Documentation of your progress MUST be reflected in your submission pages or it will not count as finished!

Each assignment can be reworked once after receiving the assignment grade. All LATE and reworked assignments must be turned in no later than the last day of class - May 8, 2008. NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE LAST DAY OF CLASS [NOTE: The last day of class is BEFORE the finals week].

Special considerations will NOT be given to students on the basis of technical difficulties, if alternative solutions were not actively pursued. Students are expected to use their time and energies wisely.

Quizzes
Because of the nature of this class, you must pass the technical quizzes or fail this course. You must answer every question correctly to pass the quiz. You may only retake each quiz twice. I will not always announce a quiz ahead of time. If you miss a quiz due to absence or you need to retake a quiz due to failure, you must make an appointment to retake the quiz during my office hours. It is YOUR responsibility to find out if you've missed a quiz due to an absence. Quizzes will be returned the next class day.

Attendance
Attendance at ALL class sessions is mandatory for successful completion of this course. You are responsible for all material presented in class and it is important that you do not miss any classes! Students are expected to come to class on time, ready to work with all necessary supplies and materials. Three or more unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the student's final grade one full letter grade for each additional day missed. Only the following would be considered an excused absence:
  • Participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs
  • Personal illness with a doctor's note indicating that the student needed to stay home on that particular class day
  • Family and/or other compelling circumstances
Instructors have the right to request documentation verifying the basis of any absences resulting from the above factors. Do not ask the instructor if it is all right to miss a class for any other reason. An excused absence does not excuse the student from making up class time missed in a timely manner. Attendance will be taken daily and arriving to Lecture/Lab component 30 minutes late and/or leaving more that 30 minutes early will be recorded and counts as one-half of an unexcused absence. Signing in for any other student will result in a failing grade.

NOTE: Attendance for all critiques is required. Attendance for finals critique is mandatory - anyone missing critiques during the scheduled finals will fail the class, no exceptions. Finals will be held the last week of class.

Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university's student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.

Statement on Disability Accommodation
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), http://www.missouristate.edu/disability. Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://www.missouristate.edu/contrib/ldc.

Statement on Nondiscrimination
The faculty of the Department of Art and Design believe that all people should be treated fairly and equitably. For this reason, we are opposed to the discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, political affiliation or sexual orientation.

Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office of Equal Opportunity Officer, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor's Department Head.

Statement on Dropping a Class
It is your responsibility to understand the University's procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. To drop a class anytime after the first week of classes, you must complete and turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center (see http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/chnsched.html). You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip. It does not need to be signed by your instructor, your advisor, or a department head. If you wish to withdraw from the University (i.e., drop all your classes), contact the Registration Center, Carrington 320, 836-5522.

For drop deadlines: see Academic Calendars http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/acad_cal.html.

Statement on Use of Cell Phones in Classes
The use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be taken out during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances. See http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/Policies/default.htm for complete policy.