392144 Computer Animation for Virtual Humans (S) (SoSe 2013)

Computer Animation deals with the creation of facial and body movements on virtual characters. Such movement can be derived from (biological) movement models, created by hand, or obtained by adapting motion that is recorded using motion capture. In this course we will specifically look at and implement real-time computer animation techniques for the body motion of virtual humans. The course consist for roughly 2/3th of lectures with some exercises and for roughly 1/3th of a final practical exercise in which students will deepen their knowledge of a specific computer animation topic of their choice.

After the course you will:
- Have a good understanding of commonly used kinematical, physical and biological models of (virtual) humans in the computer animation domain
- Understand how virtual humans can be steered using kinematical (joint rotation, end effector position) and physical (e.g. force, torques) parameters
- Have a basic understanding of current computer animation techniques and their strengths and weaknesses
- Have a deeper understanding and practical experience in one or more computer animation techniques or motion models of your choice

Requirements for participation, required level

- Basic knowledge of linear algebra and analysis is required.
- The lecture "Computer Animation" (http://ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de/kvv_publ/publ/vd?id=29244595) is recommended (but not necessary)
- A Java software framework is available to support the final projects