Art Department - Fall 2009 - Digital Art - Ronaldo Kiel
ART 48.15 3D Modeling & AnimationCourse Description Class Projects Schedule Important Dates Contact Index
This course provides an introduction to 3D modeling and animation. During the semester you will develop an understanding of the process to create three-dimensional animations that can be used in video, film or game production. Examples will be presented in lectures and demonstrations. Basic concepts of compositing and special effects will also be covered. Animation principals will be discussed. The Principles of Traditional Animation Applied to 3D Computer Animation by John Lasseter is a important starting point, please read it in the first week.
You should keep in mind that learning the software is only a small part of the work. Successful design is a matter of communicating your thoughts clearly to achieve your goals. It is not about how well you can use the software.
Computer Animation is a vast subject, in this introductory course we will foucos on the basic skills necessary to use the software and in creating an understanding of the 3D animation workflow from concept to execution.
Course Objectives
Software
This course uses some of the industry-standard software packages for the creation of 3D modeling and animation. The course will cover basic modeling techniques and animation in 3D using Maya.
In Final Cut Pro, students will finalize all projects and output their productions to videotape. Adobe After Effects will be the tool to create two-dimensional animation and compositing. Proficiency with the Macintosh environment, with Adobe Photoshop and FreeHand (or Illustrator) is required. Please see me if you feel a need to review of any of this programs.
Materials
The computers in the 5102 Lab have compact disc re-writable drives (CDRW), you must supply your own CDs. You will need at least one CD-RW disk or a few CD-Rs to backup your files. You should consider buying a Firewire drive or an USB Flash Drive. It will be useful for transferring files and backups. You are responsible for backing up your files. If your files are lost or deleted from the computers in the lab, you will have to start over if you don't keep backups. Make a habit of saving copies of your work at the end of every class and take it with you.
Note: All computers in room 5102 can record CDs. The computers in room 5207 can also record DVDs.
Files can be transfered across the network. We have digital video cameras and still cameras for student use. If you are interested in using the equipment you should speak with the college lab technician for the area.
Course Requirements
Attendance & Grades
This course will offer training in multiple software packages in only 14 classes and a total of three projects will be required to pass the course. These projects demand a lot of work and time. The material in this course is technical and specific. At least four hours a week of independent work in the lab is required. Most students spend much more time. Attendance is essential and work on the software tutorials will help to successfully finish all projects. All final versions of the projects for the class should be presented on videotape. Prior notification and arrangement with me will be required in the case of late work. Any project submitted after its due date will be graded down at least one letter grade.
Note: All students will be graded on the work that they complete during the semester. No incomplete grades will be given. Projects submitted still in progress will be graded accordingly.
Recommended Reading:
Books on 3D and DVDs
The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects, Isaac Kerlow
Maya Visual QuickStart Guide by Danny Riddell, Andrew S. Britt
Industrial Light & Magic: Into The Realm by Mark Cotta Vaz and Patricia Rose Duignan
Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 5 (Apple Pro Training)
Adobe After Effects 7.0 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
Online Resources: