MA C162 Digital Character Animation

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an advanced study in digital character animation and feature-length digital media production. This course explores the relationships among; anatomy, motion, weight, and timing through a balanced combination of exercises and individual and group projects.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this course, the student will:

1. Visualize, sketch, construct and sculpt a 3D character model using: polygonal mesh, curved surface, and NURB surface technique.
2. Visualize, sketch, construct and assign an envelope model to a skeleton for complex 3D character model.
3. Visualize and implement deformation of a character model object: using lattices, curves and surfaces, clusters of points, shape, envelopes, Quick Stretch, lattices, curves and surfaces, and clusters of points.
4. Visualize and specify the animation of the articulated chain of a skeleton using: conventional keyframing, forward kinematics and inverse kinematics.
5. Visualize, plan and execute the application of: a color attribute, a shading attribute, a transparency attribute, a reflectivity attribute, a refraction attribute, and a 2D texture map to the material properties of a 3D character model.
6. Plan, specify and execute the file associations required to save an animated scene.
7. Produce a broadcast quality computer animation comprised of; compositing, keying, color correction, retouching, filters, masks, mattes, painting and rotoscoping.
8. Select original media and organize a portfolio, including; sketchbook, stills and a video tape demo reel.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Introduction to Broadcast Standard Processes and Tools 
   1. Broadcast & Film Technical Specifications
2. Advanced Character Movement 
   1. Models
   2. Personality and Mannerisms
   3. Expressions
   4. Dialogue
   5. Timing
3. Advanced 3D Character Modeling
   1. A. 3D Character Modeling
      1. 1. Basic Character Model Construction
      2. 2. Skeletons
      3. 3. Envelopes 
      4. 4. Deforming Objects
      5. 5. Optimizing Models
   2. B. Defining Textures and Materials
      1. 1. 2D Textures
      2. 2. 3D Textures
      3. 3. Atmosphere
      4. 4. Color Palette
4. Advanced 3D Character Animation
   1. Animation Controls
   2. Plotting Animations
   3. Deformation
   4. Dynamics
   5. Constraining Animations
   6. Expressions
   7. Facial Animation
   8. Animation File Structures
5. Refinement Cycle
   1. Test Render
   2. Inspection
   3. Improvement
      1. Camera
      2. Lighting
      3. Posing
      4. Expressions
      5. Lip Sync
      6. FX
      7. Workarounds
6. Portfolio
   1. Planning strategies (treatment, storyboard, EDL)
   2. Broadcast Specifications

READINGS

• Digital Character Animation by George Maestri, New Riders Publishing.
• Inside Softimage 3D by Anthony Rossano, New Riders Publishing.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Reading Assignments: The text book reading assignments will be discussed in class in order to assist the student in developing a sequential theoretical understanding of the techniques and processes required to accomplish the computer based laboratory assignments.
    
2. Typical Writing Assignments: Write a critique of a commercial animation.
   
3. Typical Outside Assignments: Draw character and layout sketches or research current trends in digital character animation.

TYPICAL EVALUATION AND GRADING SCALE

Students will be evaluated based on a 3D character animation project, written quizzes, and a written exam. In order to achieve a grade of "C" in this course, the student must complete the assigned 3D character animation project.

Typical evaluation criteria may include:
3D Animation Project 70%
Quizzes 20%
Final Exam. 10%   
Total 100 %

A typical grading scale is:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F

6.23.2003

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