CSC 187 – Schedule

Class

Date

Course Notes

Assignments

Projects

1

1/10

Welcome (download PDF)

Course Introduction

Read LM "Understanding Maya" (pp 15–37)

2

1/12

Introduction to Computer Animation

IM Overview, Maya Basics

3

1/17

Maya Fundamentals

Modeling Basics

Polygonal shape study

4

1/19

Polygonal Surfaces

Creativity and Design

Polygonal shape study due

IM Polygonal Modeling assigned

Project 1 assigned 

5

1/24

Working with scene elements

Polygonal Surface Modeling I

LM 9 (model only) assigned

Project 1 design ideas due

6

1/27

Polygonal Surface Modeling II

IM Polygonal Modeling due

7

1/31

Rendering and Light

LM 9 (model only) due

Light study and Shadow study assigned

8

2/2

Lighting and Shadows

9

2/7

Lighting Effects

Light and Shadow studies due

Project 1 model due

10

2/9

Visual Literacy and Design Principles

11

2/14

NURBS Surfaces

Project 2 assigned

12

2/16

Project 1 final critique 

IM NURBS Modeling (lessons 1,2,3) assigned

Project 1 final critique

13

2/21

NURBS Surface Modeling I

LM 15 Robot assigned

Project 2 design ideas due

14

2/23

NURBS Surface Modeling II

IM NURBS Modeling (lessons 1,2,3) due 

15

2/28

Color and Shading

Surface Mapping

Treatment study assigned

LM 15 due

3/2

PROF DEV DAY NO CLASS
(open lab is available)

16

3/7

Surface Features

Project 2 model due

17

3/9

Color Theory

 Treatment study due 

18

3/14

Project 3 assigned 

19

3/16

Project 2 final critique

Project 2 final critique 

3/21

SPRING BREAK NO CLASS

3/23

SPRING BREAK NO CLASS

20

3/28

Subdivision Surfaces

LM 27 Building a Space Creature assigned (pp 537-555; do NOT texture)

21

3/30

Subdivision Surface Modeling I

Project 3 research/reference due

22

4/4

Subdivision Surface Modeling II
(download salt shaker reference)

LM 27 Building a Space Creature due

23

4/6

Cinematic Lighting
(download head model)

24

4/11

Camera Basics

25

4/13

Project 3 final critique

Project 3 final critique 

Project 4 assigned

26

4/18

Layered Surfaces
Photoshop Basics (Download)

LM 16 assigned (pp. 340-351) 

27

4/20

Texture Mapping
(download dice reference)

Project 4 research/reference due

28

4/25

UV Texturing

LM 16 (pp. 340-351)  due

29

4/27

File Textures

30

5/2

Surface Painting
(seamless tiles)

31

5/4

Reflections and Refractions

Final

Wed
5/10

Project 4 final critique
(2–4pm)

Project 4 final critique 
(2–4pm)