4/24/2025 5:37:19 AM	APTE 162 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  APTE 162	Title:  3D ANIM: VISUAL FX, COMP
Full Title:  3D Animation: Visual Effects and Compositing
Last Reviewed:2/10/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	1.00		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	17.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	4.00			Contact Total	70.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 175.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  APTECH 162

Catalog Description:

In this course students will explore a range of tools and procedures used in the visual effects (VFX) industry, including dynamic simulations, particle systems, and the integration of computer-generated and live-action imagery.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of APTE 43

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course students will explore a range of tools and procedures used in the visual effects (VFX) industry, including dynamic simulations, particle systems, and the integration of computer-generated and live-action imagery.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of APTE 43
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Effectively create dynamic simulations and particle-based VFX.

2. Match and combine live-action and computer-generated imagery.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Develop and modify a range of particle systems.

2. Use multiple dynamic simulation tools.

3. Generate and apply matchmoving and motion capture data.

4. Composite live-action and computer-generated imagery.

Topics and Scope

I. Visual Effects Overview

    A. Special Effects versus Visual Effects

    B. History of VFX

    C. Computer generated imagery and compositing

II. Particle Systems

    A. Basic particle systems

    B. Event-driven systems

    C. Advanced particle flow effects

III. Dynamic Simulations

    A. Dynamic Simulation Solvers

         1. Force, volume, mass, and density

         2. Rigid body dynamics

         3. Capturing transformations

IV. Motion Capture

    A. Introduction to motion capture systems

    B. Application of motion capture data

V. Compositing in 3D software

    A. Composite maps and nodes

    B. Combining live-action with computer-generated (CG) assets

         1. Perspective matching

          2. Lighting and environment matching

         3. Camera matching

VI. Compositing

    A. Compositing software overview

         1. Workspace

         2. Project setup

         3. Basic tools

         4. Compositions, nodes & layers

         5. Basic effects

    B. Compositing render elements

    C. Matchmoving and camera tracking

         1. Generating camera data

         2. Applying camera data

    D. Combining pre-rendered and stock footage with CG animation - Chromakey

         1. Using background plates

         2. 3D element image sequences

         3. Pre-keyed action footage: pyrotechnics

     E. Audio mixing and synchronizing

    F. Media export formats and procedures

 

The above topics and scope apply to both lecture and lab in an integrated format.

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments: Lab-Related Assignments:

 

1. VFX and Compositing Assignments including:

    a. Basic particle effects (1-3)

    b. Event-driven particle effects (2-3)

     c. Depth Compositing exercises (1-3)

    d. Dynamic Simulations (2-4)

    e. Camera Tracking exercises (1-2)

    f. Motion Capture on 3D Rig (2-3)

    g. Live Actor in computer-generated set (1-2)

2. Quizzes (2-3)

3. Final Project (1)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 35 - 55%
Final Project
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 40 - 60%
VFX and Compositing Assignments
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 5 - 10%
Quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 0%
None

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices & Procedures. Edited by Jeffrey Okun and Susan Zwerman. Routledge, Taylor and Francis. 2021.

Physics for Animators. Bousquet, Michele. CRC Press. 2015. (classic).

Instructor prepared materials

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