ATEC 4371.001Procedural AnimationIntroduction to Procedural Methods in 3D Computer Animation

Dr. Midori Kitagawa

In class Pay attention Take notes Learn Be ready for a pop quiz

Week 1: Introduction Why Houdini? History of digital computers and human

computer interface (HCI) Program vs. script Scripts vs. graphical user interface (GUI) So, why Houdini? Have you taken required CS courses?

History of digital computers and human computer interface (HCI) 1946 The first programmable general-

purpose computer ENIAC was revealed.

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer

ENIAC Occupied 1,000

square foot space.

Performed 5,000 operations per second.

Programming

ENIAC

Plugs and switches were used to rewire and restructure the machine.

ENIAC’s I/O Punched cards were used for

input/output.

ENIAC’s HCI

The user punched binary code on punch cards.

ENIAC read and processed the cards and punched results on other punch cards

The user deciphered the output on the cards.

IBM SSEC (1948)Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator

Equipped with paper tape readers and a printer.

BNIAC Binary Automatic Computer (1948)Manchester Mark I (1949) Used teleprinters (electro-mechanically

controlled typewriters) for input and output.

MIT Whirlwind (1951) Debuted with a cathode ray tube and

magnetic tape.

1970’s Keyboards were

introduced to mainframe computers.

Macintosh 128k (1984) 128 KB memory 400 KB single-sided 3.5” floppy disk drive B/W monitor resolution 512 x 342

Single button mouse Keyboard with no arrow

keys, function keys or numeric keypad

Ignited desktop publishing

PC, Mouse and GUI Introduction of PC, mouse and GUI

(graphical user interface) accelerated the development of sophisticated graphical applications in late1980’s.

Photoshop 1988 Wavefront 1988

Program vs. script Difference between program and script

is becoming blur. Program’s source code (ASCII) is

complied into the executable in binary format.

Script is interpreted but not compiled. Script runs inside a program.

Script vs. GUI Both script and GUI are ways that the

user communicate with software (OS and applications).

User

ApplicationsOS

Hardware

Scripts

GUI

Script vs. GUI for common graphics applications 

script GUI

form text graphics

Input keyboard mouse, pen, tablet

repeatability of complex procedure

high low

automation easier harder

customization easier harder

Houdini’s node based approachbridges between scripting and GUI

  script node based approach

GUI

form text text, graphics graphics

Input keyboard Keyboard, mouse

mouse, pen, tablet

repeatability of complex procedure

high high low

automation easier easier harder

customiza-tion

easier easier harder

Why Houdini? Houdini’s node based

approach allows the user to create a complex procedure by building a network (chain) of nodes that looks like a flowchart by connecting a node to other nodes using GUI.

Why Houdini? Houdini’s node networks can be linear

or non-linear. Non-linear networks allow procedures to be more complex than linear networks.

Why Houdini? Node network can be automated and

repeatable. Node network can be easily modified to

produce variations. Houdini is highly customizable.

Why Houdini? Houdini has a higher learning curve

than other comparable 3D animation tools (e.g. Maya) due to its node based approach.

Benefits outweigh drawbacks especially in the special effect industry where procedural methods prevail.

Have you taken CS courses?

No, I have not.

Yes. I loved them.

Yes. I did fine in the courses but didn’t understand by they were required.

Yes. I worked really hard but had a very hard time in the courses.

You will be very motivated in the courses after taking this course.

You will love this course and Houdini.

You will understand why in this course.

This course might not be for you…