For on-line syllabus go to http://JohnCraigFreeman.net and follow the Courses link.

 

Still from Yu Ching Li.

 

PROFESSOR:           John (Craig) Freeman

EMAIL:                     john_craig_freeman@emerson.edu

PHONE:                     (617) 824-8862

OFFICE HOURS:    180 Tremont Street, room 1111, MTW 11:00-11:50 a.m. or by appointment.

 

CLASS MEETS:      Mondays and Wednesdays: 4:00 - 5:45 p.m.

                                    at 180 Tremont Street, 3D Lab, room T112.

http://www.emerson.edu/labs/info/3DL.cfm

 

PREREQUISITE:    May not have taken MA625

 

DESCRIPTION:      This is the first course in the two-course computer animation sequence, introducing students to the fundamentals of three-dimensional modeling and animation and preparing them for the second course, Computer Animation 2. Students learn to develop concepts, produce storyboards, model, texture objects, compose and light scenes, animate, and add dynamics. Finally, they learn to render their animations into movies and to composite movies, audio, titles, and credits in postproduction. In addition to these production skills, students will develop their conceptual understanding as well as their critical and creative thinking about the practice of computer animation.

 

                                    Class time is spent either in intensive instructional sessions, where we move through concepts as a group using hands-on examples; in discussion and critique; or in open lab production.

 

                                    Meanwhile, students complete a series of online software training exercises and reading assignments outside of class as homework.

 

                                    Students will complete two minor projects based on instruction, reading and software training exercises. After mid-semester, students propose a final project. The proposals are presented to the class where we discuss them and make recommendations. Once the proposal has been approved, students will spend the remaining duration of the semester working on their final projects. The course culminates in the presentation and critique of all final projects. Students complete the course with an original portfolio-ready animation.

 

OBJECTIVES:         ¥ To develop students' skills in three-dimensional modeling and animation

                                    ¥ To introduce students to artists, collectives and businesses that shaped and continue to shape animation history

                                    ¥ To assist students in further developing their visual literacy, critical thinking and communication skills

                                    ¥ To guide students towards discovering fundamental pictorial and animation principles through a series of specific exercises

                                    ¥ To apply these newly developed skills to express themselves creatively and critically.

 

REQUIREMENTS: ¥ Attend every class meeting

                                    ¥ Come to class prepared to work

                                    ¥ Complete all required reading

                                    ¥ Complete required online software training

                                    ¥ Complete and presentation two minor project.

                                    ¥ Propose, develop, and produce an original project

                                    ¥ Present final project during scheduled exam

 

READING:               Students are required to read the first half of the Art of Maya book during Computer Animation 1 and will be required to complete the book during Computer Animation 2. Please see the calendar below for the specific reading schedule.

 

                                    ¥ The Art of Maya: An Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics; 4th edition, by AutoDesk Learning Tools, ISBN 1-8971-7747-1.

 

SOFTWARE TRAINING: Students are required to complete Lynda.com Maya Essential Training during this course and will be required to complete Maya Character Rigging during Computer Animation 2. There are several other titles included in the online training package, but these are recommended rather than required. Please see the calendar below for the specific software training schedule.

 

                                    ¥ Brows to http://lynda.com/edu-media/studentlogin.asp.

                                    ¥ Enter Class Code: 1132009C4193

                                    ¥ Enter your Emerson College email address.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:     Project One: Create a short animated movie based on instruction, the reading and the software training from lesson 1 thru 7. Build a 3D scene made up of objects using primitive geometry and basic polygonal and NURBS modeling techniques. The objects in the scene must come from direct experience, your memory and/or your dreams. You should be able to articulate the stories surrounding the object you choose to model. Render and compress a short camera flythrough of the scene. Your understanding of concepts covered in class must be evident in the work.

 

                                    Project Two: Create a short animated movie based on instruction, the reading and the software training from lesson 8 thru 10. Expand and animate the your scene from Project One. Add audio, titles and credits in postproduction. Your understanding of concepts covered in class must be evident in the work.

 

                                    Students will present their projects during a prescheduled time. The presentations must include a Maya project directory and a movie file.

 

                                    ¥ The Maya project directory must be optimized and include nothing but the necessary files and folders.

 

                                    ¥ The movie must be saved as a self contained QuickTime file titled lastname_firstname.mov set at:

                                            Video: H.264 Decoder, 640 x 360, Millions

                                            Audio: AAC, Stereo (L R), 44.100 kHz

                                            FPS: 24

                                            Data Rate: 5,000 kbits/s

 

                                    The work must be turned in at the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/semesterYear/

                                    courseNumber/Assignments_In folder prior to the critique.

 

                                    Projects that do not conform to these specifications or that are turned in late will result in a lower grade.

 

                                    Final Project

                                    Each student will present a proposal for a final project to class. We will discuss the proposal and either approve the project or recommend changes. Students will be evaluated on the quality of the proposal and the presentation. Test your work and equipment ahead of time. The Proposals must include a concept narrative, and a storyboard.

 

                                    ¥ The Concept Narrative should be concise and to the point and should be around 750 words. The content will make up the oral part of the presentation to the class.

 

                                    ¥ The storyboard should include high quality digital color illustrations at a 1280 x 720, 72 dpi.

 

                                    Presentations are formal and should be prepared in a presentation format. Leafing through individual files in production applications is unacceptable. Specific file formats for proposals may include .ppt, .pdf, .doc, .html, .jpg, .swf or .mov.

 

                                    The proposal must be turned in at the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/semesterYear/

                                    courseNumber/Assignments_In folder prior to the critique. Files must be saved in a folder titled lastname_firstname.

 

                                    Proposals that do not conform to these specifications or that are turned in late will result in a lower grade.

 

                                    Each student will present the finished project during the scheduled final exam time.

 

                                    Movies must be saved as a self contained QuickTime file titled lastname_firstname.mov set at:

                                            Video: H.264 Decoder, 1280 x 720, Millions

                                            Audio: AAC, Stereo (L R), 44.100 kHz

                                            FPS: 24

                                            Data Rate: 5,000 kbits/s

                                    All movies must include audio, titles and credits.

 

                                    The work must be turned in at the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/semesterYear/

                                    courseNumber/Assignments_In folder prior to the critique.

 

                                    Projects that do not conform to these specifications will result in a lower grade.

 

                                    Late final projects will not be accepted.

 

SUPPLIES:               ¥ Mobile FireWire or Hi-Speed USB 2.0 removable hard drive. I recommend LaCie. Minimum requirement is 40GB of storage space. 7200 (RPM) speed is preferable. Thumb/flash drives are not recommended for this course. Options can be found at: http://www.lacie.com/

                                    ¥ CD-R or DVD-Rs as needed.

 

GRADING:               The final grade will be determined according to the following criteria based on the corresponding percentages.

 

                                    ¥ Project One: 20%

                                    ¥ Project Two: 20%

                                    ¥ Software Training: 10%.

                                    ¥ Participation and Attendance: 10%.

                                    ¥ Final Project: 40%

 

                                    I will meet with each student individually at mid-semester to evaluate performance up to that point. An Incomplete will only be issued if there are extenuating circumstances related to illness or critical personal emergency and only after administrative notice has been received.

 

POLICIES:               Attendance and punctuality is required at all class meetings and will be reflected in the final grade. According to College policy, unexcused absences beyond five will result in a failing grade. Everyone must come to class prepared and engaged and everyone must participate in discussions and critiques. Your undivided attention is required during all discussions and critiques. No email, web browsing or other computer work will be allowed during these times.

 

                                    Students should be aware of the College policies regarding creative and academic dishonesty and the penalties for plagiarism and software piracy. While it is accepted that there may be occasion for stylistic or historical inspiration, influence and reference, the student will be asked to produce original work from ones own study and investigation.

 

                                    If you have a disability that warrants accommodations in this course, please register with the Disability Service Coordinator at 216 Tremont Street, 5th Floor, (617) 824-8415.


 

COURSE CALENDAR: Subject to changes as necessary.

WEEK #1

Wed. 01/21/09             Introductions

                                    Syllabus

                                    Assignments

¥ Book and Supplies: Get book and supplies, register for software training

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, 3D Computer Graphics, 3D Computer Animation, Technical Creativity, The Animation Pipeline. pp. 15-23

¥ Lab Operations: Lab policies

WEEK #2

Mon. 01/26/09            Lesson 01

                                    Course Wiki

                                    Demo Files

                                    3D Space

                                    Assignments

¥ Project One: (see above)

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 1. Interface Essentials

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya Time and Space, 3D Space, Time, Bitmap Space, Color Space. pp. 25-33

Jorge Luis Borges, On Exactitude in Science

Jean Baudrillard Simulacra and Simulations

   Be prepared to give an example of simulacrum. What relationship does simulacrum have to computer animation?

¥ Research: Collect images and/or make drawings of object to be modeled. Consider the signifier (the object), the signified (what the objects represents), and the contexts (in this case the set). What is the connotative meaning? What is the denotative meaning?

 

Wed. 01/28/09             Due

¥ Image research

                                    Lesson 02

                                    Image Research Discussion

                                    File Management

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 2. Manipulating Objects

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Exploring Maya, The Workspace, File Management, Viewing 3D Scenes. pp. 35-41

WEEK #3

Mon. 02/02/09            Lesson 03

                                    Objects and Components

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 3. Polygonal Modeling

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Objects and Components, Dependency Graph. pp. 42-45

 

Wed. 02/04/09             Lesson 04

                                    Modeling

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 4. NURBS Modeling

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Transformations, Duplication. pp. 46-49

WEEK #4

Mon. 02/09/09            Lesson 05

                                    Shading

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 5. Advanced Modeling

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya Snapping, Artisan, Scripting in Maya. pp. 50-55

 

Wed. 02/11/09             Lesson 06

                                    Cameras

                                    Lighting

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 6. Applying Textures

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Animation Techniques, Setting Keys. pp. 57-61.

WEEK #5

Mon. 02/16/09            President's Day observed (no classes).

 

Tue. 02/17/09              Lesson 07

                                    Rendering

                                    Movies

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 7. Rendering in Maya

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Animation Curves, Hierarchical Animation. pp.62-65

 

Wed. 02/18/09             Due

¥ Project One

                                    Critique Project One

                                    Assignments

¥ Project Two

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 8. Rendering with Mental Ray

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Motion Path Animation, Non-linear Animation. pp. 64-69

WEEK #6

Mon. 02/23/09            Critique Project One

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: 9. Maya 2008 Essential Training: Paint Effects

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Reactive Animation, Rigid Body Dynamics. pp. 70-73

 

Wed. 02/25/09             Lesson 08

                                    Keyframing

                                    Graphing

                                    Path

                                    Set Driven

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: 10. Animating in Maya

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Modeling, Geometry Modeling Techniques. pp. 75-79

WEEK #7

Mon. 03/02/09            Lesson 09

                                    Expressions

                                    Nonlinear

                                    Dynamics

                                    Assignments

¥ Software Training: Maya 2008 Essential Training: Conclusion

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Working With Curves, NURBS Surfaces. pp. 80-83

Wed. 03/04/09            

Spring Break

Mon. 03/09/09            Spring Break (no classes)

 

Wed. 03/11/09             Spring Break (no classes)

WEEK #8

Mon. 03/16/09            Mid-semester Evaluations: Individual Meetings

                                    Open Lab: Work on Project

                                    Assignments

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Trims and Booleans, Joining Surfaces. pp. 84-87

 

Wed. 03/18/09             Lesson 10: Sound Sync, Order of Operation, Global TRS

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Patch Surfaces, Polygon Modeling. pp. 88-91

WEEK #9

Mon. 03/23/09            Lesson 11: Post-production

                                    Studio: Work on projects

                                    Assignments

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Subdivision Proxy Modeling, Construction History, Modeling for Animation. pp. 92-97

 

Wed. 03/25/09             Due: Project Two

                                    Assignment Final: Final Project Proposals

                                    Studio: Work on final projects

                                    Assignments

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Deformations, Deforming Objects, Non-linear Deformers. pp. 99-103

WEEK #10

Mon. 03/30/09            Critique: Project Two

                                    Assignments

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, Deformers, Simulated Deformations. pp. 104-107

 

Wed. 04/01/09             Due: Final Project Proposals

                                    Studio: Work on final projects

                                    Assignments

¥ Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 104-107

WEEK #11

Mon. 04/06/09            Proposal Presentations

 

Wed. 04/08/09             Lab Operations: Render Server

WEEK #12

Mon. 04/13/09           

                                    Studio: Work on final projects

 

Wed. 04/15/09             Studio: Work on final projects

WEEK #13

Mon. 04/20/09            Patriot's Day (no classes).

 

Wed. 04/22/09             Studio: Work on final projects.

WEEK #14

Mon. 04/27/09            Studio: Work on final projects.

 

Wed. 04/29/09             Studio: Work on final projects.

                                    Due: All late work must be turned in or it will not count on final grades

FINAL

Monday 05/04/09        6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

                                    Due: Final Projects

                                    Final Exam Schedule