Animation and virtual worlds are being used in a wide variety of disciplines today. Driven by the tremendous increase in speed and quality of hardware and software, it has rapidly gained popularity among a wide variety of users. With applications as far-reaching as interactive TV, scientific visualization, film and TV special effects, interactive art, industrial design, education, computer games, virtual reality, and the Internet, it offers something of interest for just about everyone!
This course presents an overview of animation and virtual worlds, including history, technology, methodologies, and applications --- and then gives you hands on experience building them. You will create and interact with two- and three-dimensional worlds using a variety of software tools. You will create scripted animations as well as interactive simulations from different disciplines.
This course will be taught in a workshop format with computers in the classroom. As such, students will be required to read and/or prepare material in advance for each class period.
There is no prerequisite and no programming experience necessary. There is some overlap with CPS 4, so students taking this course cannot also receive credit for CPS 4.