15-869 B: Physically Based Character Animation

Spring 2012
TR 1:30-2:50pm
GHC 4102

Instructor: Nancy Pollard

Course Description

This course will explore research topics in physically based character animation, where the goal is to obtain a character performance that appears both natural and physically plausible. In particular, we will investigate how the physical properties of a character such as range of motion, weight distribution, and level of coordination constrain and suggest plausible motions for that character. We will explore theory and advances in motion controllers, strengths and limitations of motion optimization algorithms, opportunities for fast physics algorithms for interactive applications, the nature of natural motion and aspects of motion style. In addition to computer graphics literature, we will search biomechanics, human motor control, and evolutionary biology literature for insights obtained from these fields. The course should be appropriate for graduate students with some computer graphics and / or robotics experience and for advanced undergraduates who have taken 15-462 or equivalent.

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor

Administrative Info / Grading

Syllabus

Week of Tue Thu
Jan 17 Introduction Motion Variability
  • References
  • Bernstein on variation
    		•
    Jan 24 Direct Control of Physical Simulation Performance Control of Physical Simulation
    Jan 31 Locomotion in Interactive Environments (Navjot) Interactive Character Animation using Simulated Physics (Derek)
    Feb 7 Pose Control / SIMBICON Sampling-Based Contact-Rich Motion Control
    Feb 14 Optimal Gait and Form for Animal Locomotion Guest lecture -- Sophie Joerg
    Feb 21 PROJECT PROPOSALS
    		Human Motion Synthesis with Optimization-based Graphs (Chengfu)
    Feb 28 VideoMocap (Pinar) Conditional Stochastic Simulation for Character Animation (Mitch)
    Mar 6 How do people catch fly balls? Class Cancelled
    Mar 13 SPRING BREAK
    		SPRING BREAK
    Mar 20 Simulating Balance Recovery Responses to Trips Based on Biomechanical Principles Practical Character Physics for Animators
    Mar 27 Seminar: Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman ** 1pm GHC 6115 ** Optimizing Walking Controllers
    Apr 3 PROJECT CHECKPOINT
    		Balance Control
    Apr 10 Animating Fire with Sound (Alyssa) Cloth Simulation in Games
    Apr 17 Simulating Yarn-Based Cloth CARNIVAL
    Apr 24 Robust Real-Time Deformation Soft Body Locomotion

    Articulated Swimming Creatures

    May 1 FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
    		FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS