Module Details

Module Code: PROG
Module Title: Visual Effects Programming
Title: Visual Effects Programming
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Nigel Whyte
Module Author:: Philip Bourke
Domains:  
Module Description: To deliver an understanding of the design, production of Visual Effects within games and user interfaces. To deliver an understanding of the principles and mechanisms of per-rendered and real time visual effects rendering. To provide the practical skills necessary to render interactive, realistic visual effects incorporating lighting & material techniques
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of the theory behind visual effect techniques
LO2 Implement visual effect techniques to enhance realism and fidelity
LO3 Understand and implement visual effects within 2D and 3D space.
LO4 Render scenes (pre-render and real-time) using standard visual effect libraries
LO5 Produce showcase visual effects for digital games and user interfaces
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
3D Graphics, Synthetic Camera
Perspective Projection, Pipeline, Polygon Meshes
Scene Description
Mesh Representation, File structures, Scene Graph
Scene Rendering
Clipping, HSR, Polygon & Line Filling, Anti-aliasing, texturing
Advanced visual effect techniques
Lighting, post processing, normal maps, shader programming
Visual Effects Scripting
File processing, conversion and composition techniques, geometry, voxels and particles
Tools & Assets
Visual effects content pipeline, shader editors
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Project50.00%
Practical50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
A creative visual effects project. Students will work in a semi-autonomous fashion, implementing technical visual effects skills.
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 50
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Exercises on visual effect production techniques to support project work
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
Reassessment Description
Decided by module academic in conjunction with programme board. Repeat of coursework and/or written examination or other repeat mechanism as appropriate dependent on students performance and module engagement.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact VFX Topic Lectures 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00 12
Lecturer Supervised Learning Contact VFX Creative Studio 12 Weeks per Stage 7.00 84
Independent Learning Time Non Contact VFX Production 15 Weeks per Stage 10.27 154
Total Weekly Contact Hours 8.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Peter Shirley, Steve Marschner. Fundamentals of Computer Graphics, A K Peters, p.804, [ISBN: 1568814690].
  • Jeremy Birn. (2013), Digital Lighting and Rendering, 3. New Riders, [ISBN: 978-032192898].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: