Th 3303 COMPUTER ASSISTED DRAWING

Tap R. Payne

Office Hours: MWF 9 am.   TTh 10 am

Text:  The PhotoShop 6 Wow! Book, Linnea Dayton and Jack Davis

OBJECTIVE OF THE CLASS

The objective of this class will be to teach the student a systematic approach to using the computer (Macintosh) as a drawing tool.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  The class will cover orthographic drawings, color drawings, scanned images and manipulating computer graphics.

2.  There will be weekly major assignments.  I will give you the assignments, and their due dates in writing.   The major assignments will account for 65% of your final course grade.

3.  Be aware that you are responsible if the computer eats your assignment, if you can't find a printer in time to bring your work to class, or you can't turn in your assignment because of any software/hardware-related problem.  Back up your work, on a hard disc and another floppy.  Don't wait till the last possible minute.  Do your work with sufficient time to redo it, if necessary.  If I can't read it, I can't grade it.  Don't blame the machine for your deficient planning.  I am intolerant of computer problems preventing you from meeting a deadline.  If you choose to use a computer, you must plan for those eventualities.

4.  This class relies heavily on the comparison of ideas and solutions between class members.  I would be delighted if everyone in the class had access to the hardware and software to use at home or in your room.  That is probably unlikely.  You must do your work with software that I have access to.  Plan to get your work done.  Some Computer Center software required for this class will only allow 2 people to work at one time. You must plan your time carefully for this course.  You must be aware that many students wait until the very last moment to complete assignments.  That won't work in this class.

5.  You may use the theatre computers. There are 5 in this classroom and one in my office (not the one on my desk). These computers get locked up at 5 PM.  There is also a scanner and a color printer here for your use.

6.  Although I have assignments and lectures planned, it is not possible to completely predict what we will be doing every day, or how long it will take you to learn how to do it. Frequently, entire class periods will be used for discussing problems students have encountered with software and hardware.  For this reason it is very important you attend class. 

It is also important that you come prepared.  For the class period to be of use, ­­you must have at least tried to complete the assignment.  Otherwise you won't have any idea what we are talking about.  Attendance will be taken daily.  Attendance and participation will count for 15% of your final course grade.

7.  In addition to the major creative projects and participation, shorter projects will be frequent.  These shorter projects will usually be elements of the major projects to encourage and develop your work.  These projects will account for 20% of your final grade.

8.  This is a Theatre Discipline course offering.  Deadlines have great significance in the theatre and very rarely will I accept an assignment after the deadline.

9.  Persons registering for this class S-N must receive a minimum grade of C for an S grade.

10.  Software I think I will be using over the semester:

            Adobe PhotoShop

            MacDraft

            Poser

11.  I do not have access to an IBM computer or IBM software.  Your work must be done so I can see the electronic version of it.        If you use an IBM computer, I still have to be able to open the document.  That means the software must by cross platform, and I have to have a copy of the software.  PhotoShop fits those criteria.

12.  It costs money to print in color.  If you do not have a color printer, you must pay for color printing.   There will be a minimum of 15 assignments to be printed in color.  Color pages cost one dollar per 8.5 X 11 inch sheet. We will decide how to deal with that during the first class.

13.   One of the goals of this course is to create an environment which encourages and allows all students to participate in and benefit from class activities.  Students with disabilities and/or special needs will be reasonably accommodated in this regard.  Any student with a disability or special need should see me as soon as possible to discuss the situation and arrange appropriate accommodations.