Science & Technology Magnet High School

                                                          Mr. Boucher

                                   Gaming/Animation Course SyllabusHomework

                                               Course Description

   With LightWave, you are the producer, art director, cinematographer and director.  Your actors consist of the objects that you create in modeler or import from other programs.  You place lights to illuminate them, assign surfaces and textures to clothe them, and then choreograph their movement to bring them to life.  Once you have your actors in place, a camera records all of their movements, creating images of their movements that you will compile into animations.  This is an incredible software package that will require your complete attention and a solid work ethic to master.  We will be looking at a large number of careers that are related to the entertainment industry and the business world as we progress throughout the year.  I believe you will be very impressed with your level of ability by the end of the year.

Material Covered:

The LightWave Environment                                          Shadow and Lighting

Modeling in 3D realm                                                       Layout

Creating Geometry                                                             Object manipulation

Modeling Geometry                                                         Keyframing

Multiplying Geometry                                                      Tools & Menu Object

Detailing                                                                              Properties Motion

Commands & Menus                                                       Options

Assigning Surfaces                                                          Directing/Producing

The use of layers                                                               Camera Basics

Assigning bones and skelegons                                       Volumetric Rendering

Principals of Design                                                         Image Storage

Effective marketing techniques                                       Advertising

Special Effects                                                                  Media Applications

                                              Expectations

I expect you to arrive to class on time with a pen and notebook dedicated to this class. I expect you to have a solid work ethic, an inquisitive mind and a pleasant demeanor.  Assignments are to be completed as described and submitted in a timely manner.  I expect you to actively engage in class discussions and feel free to question anything that you do not understand.

Grading Policy

I will be using a number of different assessment tools for this course.  They will include:

• Written tests on unit information
• Hardcopy of your creations
• Video flics
• Onscreen creative techniques
• Presentations (Based on rubric)
• Notebook’s neatness and content

Each of these items will carry equal weight.  I will simply add up your quarterly grades and divide by the number of assessment pieces used in the quarter.

Late work will lose a letter grade for each day it is late!

Late work will not be accepted after 3 days beyond the due date

You are responsible for the make up of work missed.

                                              Classroom Rules

• There will be no food or drink in the lab.
• Arrive on time and prepared
• Respect will be given to all in the class.
• No disks from outside the lab are allowed.
• You will be responsible for any equipment that you damage.
• No horseplay!
• Have fun and learn more than you ever have before!

                                              Extra Help!

I will be available for help after school on a regular basis.  If you are having any trouble, I will be happy to stay and help you out.