Computer Games and Animation

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Computer Graphics and Interaction

Synopsis:

Students familiarize themselves with the issues encountered when programming computer games. Topics covered are e.g. representation, rendering and animation of 3D models, collision detection or basic GPU programming. Excercises focus on the practical creation of a computer game by students grouped in teams: from the written concept and design documents, programming the game and finally to the presentation before a jury. Microsoft XNA is the main supported framework for excercises.

Requirements:

Students are expected to have a preliminary knowledge on:

Programming in C/C++, basic linear algebra, graphics programming.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introductory lecture

2. Design document

3. 3DS Max, Maya, Softimage XSI, Blender 3D

4. Quaternions and interpolation

5. 3D model representation

6. Hierarchical (skeletal) animation

7. Skeletal animation, inversion kinematics

8. Static collision detection

9. Advanced methods for collision detection

10. GPU programming

11. GPU programming II

12. Animation curves

13. Invited lecture

14. Spare lecture / Invited lecture

Syllabus of tutorials:

1. Team creation, C# basics, XBOX 360

2. XNA 1: Basic concepts, game loop, 2D GUI

3. XNA 2: User input, Content, 3D models

4. Concept and design document presentations

5. XNA 3: Transformations, camera, viewports

6. XNA 4: Colissions, dynamics, game logic

7. Konzultace k semestrální práci

8. XNA 5: Kostra, Hierarchie, Animace

9. Seminary work consultations

10. Seminary work consultations

11. Beta-version presentations

12. Application and documentation sumbission, consultations

13. Final presentation, Assessment

14. Spare lecture

Study Objective:

To learn basic approaches to programming computer games. To get both theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to game development.

Study materials:

D. Eberly, 3D Game Engine Design. Morgan Kaufmann, 2000. ISBN: 1558605932.

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans: