Sheridan Course Outlines

ANIM50025
Animation Systems Studio 1

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 126.0
Credit Value: 9.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2011
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: ANIM56976
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: Corequisites: All 1st Semester courses in Computer Animation. Undergraduate qualifications in Visual or Fine Arts or 5 years work-related experience.

Program(s): Computer Animation
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: James Sayers
Version: 3.02
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
This is a comprehensive course that presents concepts and techniques for designing and producing three-dimensional computer animation in a graphics workstation studio environment. Students will start with core concepts in modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering, then move to advanced topics in modeling, rigging and animation tools. Higher-level topics include character setup, hierarchical structures and inverse kinematics. Along with projects specific to this course, students work on projects in conjunction with the Animation Design course.

Program Context

Computer Animation

Program Coordinator: Mark Simon

This course is a core component of the Computer Animation program. Project work for the Animation Design, Animation Methodology, and Directed projects classes will be done on system applications, tools and concepts taught in this class.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to produce three-dimensional models that incorporate elements 
of texturing, lighting, rigging and rendering for use in computer-
animated shorts.


Learning Outcomes

1.  Navigate within the 3D software environment
2.  Integrate hierarchical structures and appropriate naming 
    conventions within the context of the modeling and character 
    creation process
3.  Generate both hard and organic surfaces using various modeling 
    procedures and types
4.  Incorporate the poly-proxy methodology and approximation editor 
    in modeling projects
5.  Produce UV layouts using UV generation and editing tools
6.  Utilize surface deformation tools for modeling and animation
7.  Generate surface materials, properties and textures for models
8.  Create set-driven key and wire rig controls to drive character 
    attributes
9.  Write expressions for advanced controls and constraints
10. Apply both rigid and smooth skin weighting methodologies to
    character setups
11. Demonstrate various methods to computer generated lighting
    solutions
12. Apply render layer techniques and digital compositing to the 
    rendering process to achieve advanced qualities and efficiencies

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Modeling Assignment                                         10%      
Digital Sculpting Modeling  Assignment                      10%
Compositing Assignment                                      10%
Interstitial Project - models, shaders, rendered project    25%
Lighting Assignment - part A, B, C                          15%
In-class character rigging setup                            10%
Directed Project - models, UV's, textures, shaders          20%
Total                                                      100%

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

	Communication		Critical Thinking & Problem Solving		Interpersonal
	Numeracy		Information Management		Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
	X	X

Notes: N/A

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Fall 2011
Professor: Multiple Professors
Textbook(s):

3D animation systems software documentation, tutorials, handouts and 
DVD resources

Applicable student group(s): Students of Computer Animation
Course Details:

Instructors:  James Sayers/Kristian Howald (2010)

Module 1:  Introduction and Navigation (weeks 1-2)

Targeted learning outcomes: 1

Topics:	3D space and the interface
	Navigation and camera fundamentals
	Transformation tools
	Intro to animation tools and function curves
	Project management and the studio pipeline
	

Assignment:  Interface and navigation tutorials 

Module 2:  Modeling (weeks 3-5)

Targeted learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Topics:	Curve and surface generation tools
	Procedural modeling, history and the dependency graph
	Nurbs, polygonal and sub-d surfaces
	Poly proxy modeling strategies and the approximation editor
	Boolean operations
	Deformation tools for modeling
	3rd party displacement sculpting tools

Assignment:  Modeling assignment 1
	     Modeling assignment 2

Module 3:  Material Shaders and Texturing (week 6)

Targeted learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Topics:	Shader creation and material simulation
	Texture creation and applications
	UV layout generation and editing
	Animating materials and textures
	
Assignment:  Interstitial Project models, shaders, and textures

Module 4:  The Interstitial Project (weeks 7-9)

Targeted learning outcomes: 6, 11, 12

Topics:	Constraints
	Hierarchical structures and simple rig setups
	Animating with lattices and deformation tools
	Introduction to blendshape animation
	Lighting tools and approaches to cinematic lighting
	Rendering engines and the rendering process

Assignment:  The finished Interstitial project setup, lighting, 
animation and rendering


Module 5:  Rigging (weeks 10-14)

Targeted learning outcomes: 8, 9, 10
	
Topics:	Effective approaches to character modeling
	Skeletal joint creation
	Skinning models and weight properties
	Creating dependencies with the connection editor
	Driving animation with set-driven keys
	Inverse kinematics vs. forward kinematics
	Animation control creation
	Writing expressions for higher level controls
	Stretchy joint and gestural animation controls

Assignment:  In-class character rigging setup
	     Directed Project - models, UV's, textures, shaders

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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