ANIM50025
Animation Systems Studio 1
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version   Public
 
Section I: Administrative Information
  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.

Course Name (short): Animation Systems Studio 1
School:
Animation Arts and Design
Program(s): Computer Animation
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: James Sayers
Originator: Lesley Brown-Paterson
Designate: Lesley Brown-Paterson
Version:
3.02
Status: Approved (APPR)

Calendar 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 start with core concepts in modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering, then move to advanced topics in modeling, rigging and animation tools.

Typical Instructional Format

Studio Course
126.0
Total hours: 126.0

Courses may be offered in other formats.

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: Mark Simon

Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences. 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


Academic Honesty
The principle of academic honesty 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 faculty member, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Instances of academic dishonesty, including assisting another student to cheat, will be penalized as detailed in the Student Handbook.

Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic honesty are advised to discuss them with the faculty member prior to submitting the assignment in question.

Discrimination and Harassment
Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that respects 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 are available in the Student Handbook.
 
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