CSE 788: Computer Character Animation Seminar

CSE 788: Computer Character Animation Seminar

Autumn 2010

Time & Place: MWF 9:30a, Bolz 428

The topic changes each time this seminar is offered. This year, we'll be looking at optimization techniques used in Computer Animation (and Graphics)

Information Page


Description
Optimization is a useful tool for attacking a variety of problems. Any time a parameter space or database has to be searched for the shortest path, least energy used, greatest distance traveled, closest fit, or least error, you're talking about optimization. Optimization may be linear or non-linear, and may or may not have constraints that have to be satisfied. The space to search might be discrete or might be continuous. The solution strategy is usually based on some kind of iteration. The search might be one that can get caught in local minimum or it might be globally optimal. The problem might be a combinatorial in nature. Constraints on the solution may be linear or nonlinear, involve equalities or inequalities.

This class will focus on the practical aspects of using optimization techniques. We will look at the math in enough detail to understand what a technique does and doesn't do, but basically we'll be taking a client-side view. We'll answer questions like:


Prequisites


Objectives


Possible Readings


Grade Distribution

Class participationt25%
Assignments25%
Project50%


List of topics

No.Topic
1 Introduction and Taxonomy of Optimization
objective function, constraints
e.g. linear: closest point in polygon to plane
Simplex method: slack variables
non-linear unconstrained
e.g. closest moving point comes to fixed point
non-linear constrained
Lagrangian multipliers
e.g. best fit, satisfying user controls
Discrete
Stochastic
2 Literature review & case studies - student presentations
Space-time constraints
Body shape matching
3 Numerical packages and programming considerations - student presentations
Matlab
LAPACK
etc.
4 Implementation of toy problems - student presentations & discussion
5 final projects - student presentations


Rick Parent
July 15, 2010