CSE 377
Virtual World Design
Spring '06, MW 4:30-6
Towne 321
Norm Badler
Stephen Lane
Last Update: 1-9-2006
Course Objectives:
This is a laboratory course for the design and implementation of interactive virtual worlds. Students will storyboard, design, model, animate, and interact with their virtual worlds either in desktop or immersive modes. They will gain experience in 3D design of environments, programming animated behaviors, managing effective human-computer interactions, working with novel input devices, and storytelling. Thematic material may be drawn from any topic and may be structured as a story, an exploration, a game, or an interactive experience. Relevant outside speakers will be used to augment the course content. Useful hints.
Prerequisites:
A working knowledge of C, C++, or Java programming is required (one year experience).
Restrictions:
This course will be limited to 48 students. Digital Media Design students will have registration priority.
Texts:
TBD.
Software:
Macromedia Director 8.5, Maya, other in-house software game engine and toolkits.
Computer Graphics Facility:
We will use the PC workstations in Moore 100.
Course Format:
Students will do both individual and team projects. Individual projects are designed to build a common vocabulary and toolset for modeling, animation, and interaction techniques. The final assignment is done in teams of three or four who together design, script, model, and animate the game-like project. Lateness in completing a project cannot be tolerated; worlds must be presented as they exist at the designated presentation time in class. Evaluations will be based on design documentation and live demonstrations. Blackboard is used extensively for course materials, assignments, and digital drop box.
This course has evolved considerably since its original conception; its origins were in a course by Prof. Randy Pausch at CMU. You might want to check out his website.
Norm Badler and Stephen Lane will be the faculty instructors for the course. There will be a Teaching Assistant for the course, Jason Ryterband. The TA will use the Wednesday class period for software tutorials and other instructional materials. All demonstrations of project designs, rushes, and final results will be done during the Monday class.
Projects will be due in class. The schedule will be determined later.
There are no exams for this course. Lateness cannot be tolerated. Projects must be demonstrated "as is" in class. Grading will be a combination of instructor assessment and peer review. Team projects will be accompanied by a "division of credit sheet" (signed by all members of the team) describing which components were done by which team-member.