MART 420 – 3D Animation and Modeling I
Fall 2008
Thursdays 6:30-9:20 p.m.
Instructor: Paul Naas
Welcome to 3D Animation and Modeling I. In this course, we'll be learning about animation technique, the production process, and the nuts and bolts of creating objects, scenes, and animation using Maya 3D software.
Class Description:
Basic concepts of 3D modeling and animation using Autodesk Maya 8 including the production of three-dimensional computer animations and the different approaches to modeling in a 3D environment. Familiarization with both the interface and the production process of 3D animation. Texture mapping, lighting and rendering of simple animations and environments.
Required Textbook:
Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: Foundation by Maya Press
Required Supplies:
USB “jump drive” (1gig minimum)
Attendance:
Regular attendance is vital to your success in this class. The assignments and exercises build on one another, and missing class sessions will make it harder to complete the assigned tasks. Excessive absences may result in you being dropped from the class.
Trade email addresses and/or phone numbers with another student on the first night, and contact each other to find out about assignments and class activity if you're absent.
Assignments:
There will be several small assignments throughout the semester, as well as one large one. There will be time during class to work on some or all of the assignments. Students will show their completed work in class and participate in constructive critiques of other student's work.
BACK UP YOUR WORK! One more time: BACK UP YOUR WORK! Do iterative saves, and make sure you copy your latest versions onto your USB drive. Lost or corrupted files will not be an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.
Grading:
Grading will be based on assignments, tests, and class participation.
Multimedia jobs are all about meeting deadlines. For full credit on assignments, you must turn in your assignment no later than the due date. Late assignments will be downgraded one half grade for every class session they are late (so if your project gets a B- and it's one class late, your grade for that project will be a C). However, life happens, and if you have problems meeting the assignment due dates, please do not hesitate to talk with me. Due dates will be announced when the assignment is given. There will be class time set aside to work on projects in the lab.
There will be a mid-term exam and final that will include questions on Maya tools, technique, and animation theory.
Grading:
Small assignments (cumulative) 25%
Final assignment 30%
Midterm 15%
Final 20%
Class participation 10%
Academic Integrity:
Nothing will bring a creative career to a halt faster than passing off someone else's work as your own. Not only is it unprofessional, it will affect your reputation for the rest of your career. I take issues of academic integrity very seriously. Only turn in work that is your own. If you have any questions, please review the section on academic integrity in the Cañada catalog or talk to me.
Main Class Topics:
Animation theory and techniques
Production planning/storyboarding
NURBS, Subdivision surface, and polygonal modeling
Texturing and Shaders
Rigging
Lighting
Rendering
Important dates:
August 29: last day to Drop class and be eligible for a refund.
September 12: last day to Drop class without appearing on transcript.
November 17: last day to Drop class (will appear on transcript as “W”).
November 27: Thanksgiving
December 18: Final exam/final projects due.
Tentative class breakdown:
The class is structured similarly to how a production would be, with topics introduced in the sequence they would be in developing a movie, TV show, or game title.
Introduction, Maya basics and animation theory 1
More Maya interface, preproduction, character design
Polygonal modeling
NURBS and Subdivision surface modeling
Character modeling
Texturing/Shaders
Blend shapes
Rigging
Animation
Lighting and Rendering
Post-production
It's going to be a great semester, and an excellent start on your path toward your goals in 3D multimedia. I'm here to help you in any way I can, so don't hesitate to ask!
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