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Learn the science behind movie animation from the Director of Columbia’s Computer Graphics Group.
How do you create realistic animations? How do you predict the motion of materials? It’s key to the success of animated films to ensure (was insure) audiences believe in characters.
This course will show you how to create lifelike animations focusing on the technical aspects of CGI animation and also give you a glimpse into how studios approach the art of physically-based animation.
You will learn the fundamental concepts of physical simulation, including:
These concepts will be put into practice in the programming assignments spanning:
Programming knowledge in C or C++, multivariable calculus (partial derivatives), linear algebra, enthusiasm.
Recommended background: introductory classical mechanics.
NOT-requisites: physics, computer graphics are not required. We will present introductions to these topics along the way, as needed.
The coursework will focus on seven themes. Each theme is divided into weekly assignments, or "milestones." Each milestone will include successful implementation of new technical features, and an artistic scene that demonstrates these features. Theme 01: Mass-spring systems , in which you will implement point masses, gravity, springs, dampers, time integrators (explicit Euler, symplectic Euler, linearized implicit Euler). Theme 02: Collision handling , in which you will implement detection against fixed obstacles (discs, half-planes, polygonal objects), response against fixed obstacles (using reflection with a coefficient of restitution, and penalty methods), advanced pairwise detection between polygonal objects, and broad-phase accelerations using spatial hashing and hierarchical bounding volumes. Theme 03: Rigid bodies , in which you will implement computations of center of mass and moment of intertia for polygonal objects, time integration for rigid bodies, and contact with fixed obstacles. Theme 04: Elastica , in which you will implement the constant strain finite element, a discrete bending force for polygonal objects, and plastic and viscous flow. Theme 05: Fluids , in which you will implement a fast and stable fluid simulation including advection, convection, and viscosity, in an Eulerian framework. Theme 07: Project , in which you are the boss.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
