| Unit name | CGI (Teaching Unit) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMS30058 |
| Credit points | 0 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Dalton |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
An interest in graphics production and the creative design process is important. Experience of using CAD, a 3D software environment and/or a games engine would obviously be ideal - but not essential. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
EITHER Year 3 Assessment Unit COMS30059 CGI OR Masters Level Assessment Unit COMSM0076 CGI. Please note, this is the Teaching Unit for CGI. Students can take this unit in either their third or fourth year, and must also choose the Assessment Unit for their year group. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Computer Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Contemporary Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) production combines elements of classic computer graphics pipelines with new and emerging games engine technology, and the fusion enables dynamic and real-time rendering. Modern computer-generated imagery blurs the boundary of film production and games development. In visual effects production models and frames of animation can now be pre-visualised and directed in real-time on set. Engineers, architects and product designers are using the emerging technology for design visualisation and virtual prototyping.
The CGI unit is designed to introduce you to model development and computer graphics production. The unit introduces the design process used to build assets and sets for deployment in films and games, for product visualisation and for immersive display. Professional software is used as a framework to introduce the asset development pipeline - from concept design to model. The focus of the unit is on the creation of polygonal geometry, shader application and lighting design. A number of advanced topics in motion design and character setup will be introduced to enable animation of assets, virtual cameras and actors.
The unit uses both Autodesk Maya and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to introduce different parts of the pipeline. Maya and UE4 are used throughout the visual effects industry for product visualisation, simulation, films and games production.
Although not a pre-requisite, a number of the rendering topics in the COMS30018 Computer Graphics relates to this unit, so this maybe a useful pre-cursor for students; but in contrast to Computer Graphics, this unit is not about the algorithms, mathematical models or source code.
On completion of the associated CGI design project, a successful student will be able to:
In addition, Year 4 students will be able to experiment with advanced topics in animation design.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures and software demonstrations, lab sessions, and self-directed project development.
Coursework (100%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMS30058).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
