ART 184/1807
Computer Animation
Fall 2005
Instructor: Mirta Hamilton
Office: 03-114 M-R 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Tel. (623) 435-3756
mirta.hamilton@gcmail.maricopa.edu
__________________________________________________________________________________CLICK HERE TO SELECT STUDENT PROJECT EXAMPLES
Course Description:
The art of animation using the computer. Construction of characters, background graphics, color, scaling, storyboard, cells, timing, editing, and surface rendering. Screening and discussion of selected animated short films and video. Prerequisite: Art 100, Art 111 or Art 116, or permission of instructor.
Course Objectives:
This course provides an introduction to animation from both the historical and contemporary perspective. The primary purpose of this course is to enable students to investigate design through three dimensional computer imaging and animation along with developing general understanding of 2D animation by creating pencil tests, storyboards and short animated films. The course will introduce basic 3D concepts by examining Aaron Ross, Foundations of 3D Studio Max, text and tutorial files, then proceed to develop individual assignments that are aesthetically sound. Students will be introduced to principles of digital graphics an fine art animation/digital film by the following:
• Student will learn rudimentary elements of 3D Studio Max software interface as presented in lecture, demonstration, tutorial assignments from the text and other visual and verbal aids: Electronic techniques will be learned where objects are defined in third dimension. Student will work with polygons, mesh modeling, spline modeling, editing and modifiers, coordinate systems and other basic modeling techniques.
• Investigation of 3D form and its relationship to the aesthetic environment will be done as a part of individual project development.
• Study of the animation techniques will develop understanding of the key framing transformations, motion paths, and the animation and aesthetics of the camera use in 3D environment.
• Student will learn to recognize spatial relationships in 3D environments, use lighting - one point light, three points light and multiple light sources.
• Learn rendering algorithms and texture mapping and material properties of the software.
• Design foreground, middle ground and background, use compositional balance and apply camera framing techniques.
• Develop pencil tests for two or more cell animations.
• Overview and apply one or more of the following: various hardware input and output devices, 2D capture, video, CD, DVD and sound outputs and similar.
• Students will be given opportunity to use, in addition to 3DS Max, other software such as Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop and similar utility software for digital input, output, rendering and print. (The course does not allow enough time for an in depth study of additional software, but the object will be to provide students with a well rounded view of the animation process.)
• Students will review work in progress with the instructor and other students in the class on a continual basis and learn to develop projects in a group setting.
• Review animated film classics.
Course Outline:
I. Overview of animation technical aspects. Ross. Foundations of 3DS Max.
A. The basics of 3DS Max interface, creating, modifying and transforming objects.
B. Coordinate systems
C. Perspective and orthographic view ports. Tutorial 1.2 (20 points)
II. Foundations of Modeling
III. Graphic character construction
A. Lathing, extruding, lofting and other 3 dimensional model construction
B. Lighting
C. Camera
D. Preparatory sketching and storyboarding
E. Textures and Maps
F. Animation
G. Rendering
IV. Design
A. Balance and composition
B.Value and contrast
C. Color
D. Timing and motion
V.
Concept development
A. Story boarding
B. Pencil tests
C. Key framing
VI. Cell animation concepts
VII. Presentation of work and class review.
VIII. Review of animated film classics.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class periods. Students can be withdrawn after three unexcused absences. Three tardiness will count as one absence. Please notify the instructor regarding the excused absences.
Class Requirements:
• Students will complete three assignments dealing with concept design for computer animation. These are individual creative 3D projects that may require planning and research, preparatory sketching, storyboarding and similar activities associated with computer animation project development. (Each project will earn 100 points: 300 total credit.)
• There will be eight (8) exploratory exercises – tutorials teaching computer animation software basics from the textbook and other resources. (20 points each: 160 points total credit.)
• Two additional tutorials from the text teaching special effects can be completed for extra credit. (20 points each: 40 points total.) Extra credit tutorial exercises can be submitted for credit between the midterm and the final day of the class. NO Extra credit projects will be accepted during the week of the final exams, Dec. 12-15, 2005.
• Two projects will be completed using traditional 2D cell animation. (100 points each: 200 points total credit.)
• Film review from short award winning animated classic shown and reviewed in class, or an animated film of student choice with instructor permission. Two page (400 word minimum) typed film review is optional, - extra credit. (60 points.) The review can be submitted for credit between the midterm and the final day of the class. NO Extra credit projects will be accepted during the week of final exams, Dec. 12-15, 2005.
• All projects are executable in the animation lab, but students can use their own systems after they set project objectives, develop model sheets, storyboard and present project concept to the instructor. Second evaluation of the project in progress is required prior to completion. All final assignments will be properly presented in class on the assigned date. Hard copy output showing several views of the environment, .avi's saved to the network drive and/or a CD/DVD will be required for final movie presentation, some projects will require storyboards and sketches.
• Output and resolution for the rendering, .avi files and quick time movies will be specified for each assignment.
• Art can be printed in HT Lab, however students can opt for better quality output and dye sublimation prints for portfolio presentation. Please obtain your service bureau size and output resolution requirements prior to rendering the image.
• Students working outside the class, please render stills, or avi's at home for presentation in class. Students are responsible for the output format and compatibility between home system(s) and the classroom. If you are unable to show the final project in class on the assigned due date, you will receive no credit for that project.
• Students should ask questions about anything they don't understand. During class lecture and the lab, additional time can be taken to answer questions. Students can also see the lab assistants during the open lab times - please see the Animation Lab schedule for this term posted at the lab entrance. Take notes during lecture and demonstrations! The recommended text and class handouts do not cover all information you will need to complete your projects. .
• Students are expected to spend minimum of two hours per week in addition to the regularly scheduled class time on project modeling, research, sketching, rendering, compositing and output.
Course Grade:
Each student will be assigned a grade they earn by completing all class requirements, and by regular attendance. Each project will be accompanied with a specific set of guidelines outlining technical and aesthetic requirements.
Grading Scale: 100 - 92 = A
91 – 84 = B
83 – 70 = C
69 – 50 = D
49 – 0 = F
Projects:
1. 3D Gray Scale Model: Lathing Technique
Project Description: Student will work from actual object(s) so that proportion and scale will be true to life. Project will concentrate on modeling techniques using lathing. The project will be executed in gray scale, (or monochrome color) so that greater understanding of 3D modeling, traditional light effects and form definition is developed. Aesthetic requirements will address lighting, composition and camera treatment. Perspective and vanishing point principles will be applied, however, the student can chose layering of several models, introducing concept light, transparency and overlapping techniques to heighten the interest of space relationships.
Technical requirements: polygonal mesh, Bezier spline construction, lathing, edit mesh, edit poly, the control points of a mesh, coordinate systems and orientation in 3D space. Use of lights to create 3D illusion of depth.
Design elements and concepts: There will be an overview of the design principles, Renaissance lighting principles, concept light, space design and composition.
Format: Final project will show gray scale – JPG rendering of several camera views of the environment.(320X240 resolution.) One large image will be rendered in B/W and/or Color. 150 resolution minimum is recommended.
Grading: Both technical and aesthetic components will be evaluated.
Due Date: TBA
2. Key Framing and Animation.
Description: Subject will be announced. Perimeters for timing, movement and the use of the camera will be provided in addition to the previous techniques, so that the student can create an environment that has scale, proportion and is aesthetically sound. Use of materials and textures will be explored, but applications should be reviewed with the instructor to assure that textures work with the general color and design concepts of the animation. The student will produce six to ten hard copy key frames for review prior to finishing the project. (240X360 rendering size is recommended.) These will show good grasp of the image composition including the background, lights, textures and value relationships. Continuity of design should be reflected in the use of the camera, camera placement and movement. Students will review the storyboard process as a visual system used in developing animation concepts. .Quick time movie or animation will be executed for final grade for this project and include editing or compositing a movie in Adobe Premiere.
Format: 640x480 .avi rendering. Output to CD/DVD for presentation.
Due Date : TBA
3. Project will be announced: 3D Environment and Animation Due Date: TBA
4. Bouncing Ball; Introduction to 2D Animation
Description: Study of 2D cell animation and basic stretch and squash. Pencil, pen, marker, color pencil or digital paint can be used to draw cells. Background painting is optional. Study of timing by digitally capturing sets of frames than playing back the movie for class discussion. Individual interpretations will be encouraged.
Grading: Motion study and creative design solution.
Format: .avi movie output to videotape.
Due Date: TBA
5 . 2D Character Animation: The Chess Story
Description; Pencil test for a character walk. Students will study templates for figure action analysis. Subject can vary from cartoon to realistic character. Method of execution and character creation will be done in an original fashion. Design of the background is optional. 2D capture and compositing of a movie in Adobe Premiere. Sound can be added for effect during compositing . Sound is not required.
Grading: Motion study, realistic walk, skip, jump etc., needs to be evident. Creative solution to drawing or design of the character, background or other objects in the movie.
Format: .avi movie output to videotape.
Due Date: TBA
6. Animation Film Review: extra credit
Description: Review of an animated film or of the special effects animation used in full feature film will be an optional assignment. Students can submit a written two page review (approximately 400 words), which can be supplemented with images and illustrations from the film.
7. Tutorial Exercises from the text and from other sources: TBA
Materials:
1. One or more Zip Disk, CDR and/or CDRW or external drive to save all wire frame models, and finished renderings.
2. Mounting board 11”x 17” black, for printed images and storyboard presentations.
3. Notebook and/or loose-leaf binder and /or a sketchbook 11” x 17”.
4. Pencils - HB/2B; color pencils; color markers ( recommended but not required).
Textbook : Required Text: Ross, Aaron. Fondations of 3DS Max 6. Auto Desk Press. Recommended Text : O'Rourke, M. Principles of Three Dimensional Computer Animation. Norton Publishers, 1996; Matossian, Michele, 3DS Max fro Windows. (Version 7).Peachpit Press.
Tapping Policy: The Maricopa Community Colleges Acknowledge that faculty are, by law, afforded copy-right protection in their classroom lecture and, therefore, may have special request under which students make audiovisual tapes of their classroom lectures. Permission of instructor is required.
Software Policy: It is illegal to copy software, 3D models, or typefaces from or to the college computers.
Student Conduct: No smoking or eating in class or lab. Your questions, answers, participation, and discussions in class are encouraged. It is suggested that you take notes during each session. If you cannot attend class, please notify the instructor ahead of time. Only projects assigned in class are to be executed on college equipment.
Technical Assistance: HTC 1 Graphics/animation lab technical associates will be available to answer technical questions regarding computer operations, printing, and software applications. Please do not utilize lab associates to help you with the design and art aspects of animation projects, nor expect them to do the 3D modeling exercises for you. Their job is to guide you through the technical process, and not to do the actual applications. Exception will be the network rendering and compositing for the final output/DVD's using the I.A. station.
Need for Assistance: If you have any condition, such as a physical or learning disability, for which you need extra assistance, please see me immediately. If you have already met with Special Services, please provide me with information regarding you special needs as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
Etiquette Policy: is that all cell phones and pagers are to be turned off when in the classroom or HT Center. Be on time.
Course may vary according to the needs of this particular group.