Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI)

CGI-100. Cameras in Production. (3 Credits)

This course surveys the contemporary concepts and approaches to production in the current state of film, video, and social media. Emphasis is on the layout and composition, involved with capturing digital images. Highlighted are the design skills relative to capturing and compositing of digital images in the modern production pipeline. This course intend is towards students enhancing photographic and cinematographic skills necessary for creating and compositing of digital images. (4 contact hours)

CGI-101. Orientation to CGI Careers. (1 Credit)

This course is an introduction to careers in the field of computer generated imagery (CGI) technology. The course provides a survey of the CGI professions and the associated qualifications and skills required for positions in the career field. Students will be required to research employment skills and knowledge, field-specific definitions, professional certifications and associations, current issues in the field, and salaries. A complete self-assessment survey and student study plan will be created by the students. (1 contact hour)

CGI-102. Computer Graphics I. (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to computer generated imagery. CGI is used in modern engineering, science visualization, medicine, architecture, product design, printed media, films, television programs, and geology. The course will introduce the basic concepts in computer generated imagery, including: using software-embedded tools (Photoshop) sizing and cropping, colors and color correction techniques, collages and masking techniques, layering, special effects, filtering, and printing and plotting. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-103. 2D Graphic Design. (3 Credits)

This course introduces students to the basics of two-dimensional design concepts used for the production of graphic communications. Emphasis is placed on learning the fundamental tools, theories and principles of design. Students will design layouts for production from electronic formats for outputting to a variety of print medias. Adobe Illustrator will be the primary software program used. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-104. Computer Animation I. (3 Credits)

This course provides the basics of creating two-dimensional animated vector-based content using Adobe CS6 Flash. The course will focus on engineering and problem-based animation. Students will learn how to create interactive vector graphics and animations. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-110. Computer Storyboarding. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce the basic concepts of computer-generated imagery storyboarding. Students will produce scripts, sequences, treatments, interaction and storyboard descriptions and images. The course will compare the differences between the working production storyboards used in computer animation, multimedia, and video. There will be a focus on the business, design and engineering application of storyboarding. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-114. Computer Animation II. (3 Credits)

This course will focus on problem-solving and applications of computer-generated animation. Topics include advanced concepts of animating Flash using Action Script and Flash controllers. The course will include examples of engineering and design application for computer-generated animation. Students will learn how to animate characters, objects, and environments. Students will learn to create classes of animations and the use of automation in the animation process. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-115. Design Visualization. (3 Credits)

This course will be concentrating on 3D design visualization. Topics for discussion include setting up 3D scenes, viewing 3D space, parametric primitives, importing 3D geometry, lights, cameras, defining materials properties, basic material design, materials editing, mapped materials and rendering/rendering effects of parts and/or assemblies. Build and animate simple hierarchies and produce basic time, length, key frame animation will also be studied. Fee is required (4 contact hours)

CGI-116. 3D Computer Animation I. (3 Credits)

This course introduces 3-D Animation using Autodesk 3DS Max software. Students will learn the basics of animation, modeling techniques, applying materials, lighting a scene and the rendering process. These include creating and adjusting objects with modifiers, applying mapping coordinates, controlling the lighting in a scene, key-framed animation, and outputting rendered animated sequences. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-117. Game Engine. (3 Credits)

This course covers emerging topics of interest to Computer Generated Imagery. We will be exploring the Unreal Game Engine and creating a basic level game. Projects may include previously created content from other CGI Courses, or students may use objects made available to the CGI Community. The focus will be on developing game levels from templates, using physically based materials, scripting for controlling content, lighting, and adding landscapes. Unreal Engine 4 is a complete set of game development tools. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-118. Applied Animation Techniques. (3 Credits)

This course covers the applied techniques of 3D modeling, rendering and animation. Students learn the applied concepts and techniques of modeling with modification techniques that use the materials editor, special effects lighting, geometric modifiers, keyframing, and trackview to derive practical animation solutions to complex animated effects. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-119. Blueprints for Games. (3 Credits)

In this course, students will explore the scripting functionality within Unreal Engine using a node-based editor called the Blueprints Visual Scripting system. Beyond the basics of creating a 3D environment, scripting will be explored to define object-oriented programming in the engine. Enhanced functionality will be explored as a basis for creating more interactive 3D environments. Unreal Engine is a complete set of game development tools. (4 contact hours)

CGI-120. 3D Computer Animation II. (3 Credits)

This course covers applied character animation. Students will learn the concepts and techniques required to construct and animate biped characters. The interoperability of the 3DS MAX character systems and Motion Builder program will be explored. Topics will cover the design, structuring, animating and realistic skinning of characters. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-122. 3D Computer Character Modeling. (3 Credits)

This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the concepts and skills required for the designing, building and mapping of 3-D computer characters. The fundamental concepts of character design will be explored for producing hi-resolution and low-polygon count models. Students will learn a variety of modeling techniques necessary to build and properly map models. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-125. Advanced Photoshop. (3 Credits)

This course provides the student with advanced training in digital photograph manipulation, restoration and compositing. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-126. Computer Physics Simulation. (3 Credits)

This course covers the simulation and physical behaviors of complex models in a 3-D environment. Students will learn the applied concepts and techniques required for creating realistic physics-based animations. This course will introduce the concepts needed to control the attributes of dynamic and static ridge bodies. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-130. Effects and Compositing. (3 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a basic understanding of image compositing in 2D & 3D space. The fundamental concepts of creating composites, paint projects, developing animations, and applying visual effects will be introduced. Students will learn how to combine layers, 3D animations and effects into composites. Primary software used will be Adobe After Effects CC. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-199. Topics. (1-3 Credits)

This course covers emerging topics of interest to Computer Generated Imagery. The topics to be covered will be identified with narrative by section number in the college schedule of classes. A syllabus documenting topics, description, objectives, and information about prerequisite skills will be available for each section. This course may be taken up to three times for credit as long as different topics are selected. Fee is required. (1-4 contact hours)

CGI-210. Introduction to Game Design. (3 Credits)

This course will introduce the student to computer game design. Students will study the application of games for entertainment, learning and problem-solving. A variety of computer game types will be explored including the history and future of computer games. Students will learn to analyze, evaluate and review computer games. Game design theory and concepts will be introduced. Students will develop ideas for games. Marketing and presentation topics will be investigated. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)

CGI-212. Game Design Elements. (3 Credits)

This course surveys the design elements used in game design. Emphasis is placed on the creation of digital maps which could be applied within a game or virtual set. Applications include digital content such as environmental backgrounds, buildings, characters and props. Within a collaborative setting students will research and design the digital content as used in a professional studio. This course is intended for students to enhance their working skills in Photoshop, material creation and mapping as they work with characters in 3-D environments. Fee is required. (4 contact hours)