VSFX160 Introduction to Visual Effects Programming
This page has the most up-to-date version of the class schedule with notes and changes.
Please refer to this page for accurate and updated information.
Please do not start the Exams on blackboard until you are told to do so in class.
Please make sure you submit material in the dropbox on time and as instructed
Required textbooks for this class:
MEL Scripting for Maya Animators, 2nd Ed. Morgan Kaufmann, Wilkins/Kazmier 13-978-0-12-088793-4
"Linux Shell Scripting with Bash" by Ken Burtch 0-672-32642-6
Recommended textbook: O'Reilly's "Bash Cookbook"
Check out the Maya bin at /usr/autodesk/maya/bin
And the Shake bin at /usr/shake/bin
or even /usr/local/massive
We should be able to do some integration, try: "program_name -h" to see the usage page
Here are quick descriptions of the various assignments:
Assign 1: The 'Eyes' example. After doing the exercise in the book, make a simple improvement of your own. Due Class 3 as a maya binary.
Assign 2: The 'Spiral' example. After doing the exercise in the book, make a simple improvement of your own.
Please automate the process to include attaching the expression.
Due Class 7 as an automated mel file.
Assign 3: The 'Antenna' example. Create the example in the book and create your own recursive antennas.
Continue with preparing a user interface. Due Class 11 as a mel file
Assign 4: Your choice of an example from the book (or elsewhere with approval) Due Class 19
Assign 5: Starting with a simple bash example from the provided examples (or elsewhere with approval) make substaintial improvements. Due Class 14
Assign 6: Create an original script, Due Class 17 (This may support work being done for Assign 4)
Video: A presentation breakdown that describes Assign4 and/or Assign 6. Due Class 20 as a mpeg video m2v (audio ac3 is optional)
Questions: Read LSSwB Chapters: Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & appendix B, before class 14
Class 1: Tuesday, 1/6: Pre-test, Introduction to MAYA tutorials and reference guide.
Read MEL-Chapters 1 & 2, Do the examples and exercises, following closely.
Start reviewing the online tutorials, user guides and command reference.
Class 2: Thursday, 1/8: Using Expressions: Read MEL-Chapter 3, Start Assignment 1:
Do ‘Example 1: Eyes’ starting on page 50, implement your own improvements.
Hand in Assignment 1 to dropbox before start of class 3: yourlogin-name_asgn1.mb
Class 3: Tuesday, 1/13: In class review of Assignment 1. Introduction to particle expressions.
Read MEL-Chapter 4, do examples 1 & 2, pgs 68 & 73, before the next class.
Please review “All About Vectors” starting on page 62, before the start of next class.
Class 4: Thursday, 1/15: In class look at Example 3, pg 80, Start Assignment 2:
Do ‘Example 3: Helical Particles…’ pg 80. Demonstrate progress in class 5.
Examine particle expressions in the online tutorials and reference.
Class 5: Tuesday, 1/20: Review progress of Assignment 2 ‘Helical Particles’
Introduction to MEL Scripting: Read MEL-Chapters 5, continue on page 104
Hand in Assignment 2 to dropbox before start of class 6: yourlogin-name_asgn2.mel
Class 6: Thursday, 1/22: Assignment 2 Due at start of class, expression connected with mel
Review expressions, particles, scripting, introduce variables commands and flow.
Read MEL chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9, take time to do each exercise, be ready for class 7.
Class 7: Tuesday, 1/27: In class review of Flow of Execution, Chapter 9.
Please create samples/examples of your own during class, demonstrate proficiency.
Hand in your collection of examples to the dropbox before the next class.
Class 8: Thursday, 1/29: Hand in yourlogin-name_flow.txt to the dropbox at start of class.
Introduction to Procedures and Functions, Read MEL-Chapter 10
Start Assignment 3: Example 3: Recursive Antenna’ page 182 for class 9
Please create at least 3 similar procedures with your own improvements.
Class 9: Tuesday, 2/3: Assignment 3, yourlogin-name_asgn3_v1.mel (v2 & v3 …etc) due
In class review of handed in procedures. Introduction of procedures in a UI.
Start of MEL Assignment 4: MEL Project, Due on the last day of class in a video.
Please start reading the remaining chapters of the MEL book. Project discussion.
Please be advised, we will be examining progress on this project till the end.
Class 10: Thursday, 2/5: LINUX/UNIX Operating introduction. Read LSSwB-Chapters intro, 1, B
Answer review exercise questions provided: and turn them into the drop-box before the start of class 14.
Class 11: Tuesday, 2/10: The vi editor and other editors. Read LSSwB-Chapters 2, 3, 4
We will start going over Linux commands. Progress review of your MEL Assignment 4.
Class12: Thursday, 2/12: Exploring the shell, shell programming, flow and execution.
LINUX File system, Read LSSwB-Chapters 5, 6, 7
Answer review exercise questions provided
Linux Assignment 5, improving an existing script, due in dropbox for class 14.
Class 13: Tuesday, 2/17: Present your asgn4.mel project ideas today.
Start Linux Assignment 6, creating an original script, due in dropbox for class 17
Class 14: Thursday, 2/19: Linux question answers due in dropbox at start of class.
Linux Assignment 5 Due in dropbox, as yourlogin-name.asgn5.sh
Shell programming/scripting continued. Prepare for the exam! We will review sample exams.
Class 15: Tuesday, 2/24: Progress review of MEL Assignment 4.
Class 16: Thursday, 2/26: Progress review of Linux Assignment 6 and MEL Assignment 4.
Class 17: Tuesday, 3/3: Linux Assignment 6 Due in dropbox, as yourlogin-name.asgn6.sh
In class presentation of Linux Assignment 6, Original scripting.
Linux Exam online during class.
Class 18: Thursday 3/5: Start Final Video Demonstration, capturing and buildups.
You are required to demonstrate visual evidence of scripting knowledge in the
form of an edited visual effects buildup, handed in on the last class.
Progress review of your MEL Assignment 4.
Class 19: Tuesday, 3/10: MEL Assignment 4 Due in dropbox as yourlogin-name.asgn4.mb and/or yourlogin-name.asgn4.mel,
In class review of the MEL Assignment 4. Video preview and discussion
Here is the Class Journal: