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Spring 2008 |
Still from Michael Botelho.
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PROFESSOR: John
(Craig) Freeman EMAIL: john_craig_freeman@emerson.edu PHONE: (617)
824-8862 OFFICE
HOURS: 180
Tremont Street, room 1111. Mondays,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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. PREREQUISITE: VM
625, MA 625 or permission of instructor. Cannot have taken MA 626. DESCRIPTION: Computer
Animation 2 is the second course in the two-course computer animation
sequence, focusing on advanced three-dimensional modeling and animation
techniques, and preparing them for independent computer animation production
work. Students will continue to develop their skills acquired in Computer
Animation 1, including modeling, texturing objects, composing and lighting
scenes, animating, dynamics, rendering, postproduction compositing, and
explore advanced character modeling, rigging and animation techniques. We will continue instructional sessions where we move
through concepts as a group using hands-on examples, although, these sessions
will be greatly scaled back from Computer Animation 1. As in Computer
Animation 1, Each session is supported with a folder of resource media and
examples, which students access through the Courses folder on Emerson's Pages
networked server. Additionally, students will develop and produce a semester
long project. The content of the project is entirely up to the
student, but it must reflect and understanding of the concepts we will be
covering throughout the duration of the course. The course culminates in the presentation and critique of
all final projects during our scheduled exam period. 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
class meetings. ¥
Come to class prepared to work. ¥
Complete all required reading. ¥
Propose, develop, and produce an original final project. ¥
Make two formal presentations of work in progress. ¥
Complete, and present final project during
scheduled exam. ASSIGNMENTS: ¥
All assignments are to be turned in at the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/ semesterYear/courseNumber/Assignments_In
folder prior to the beginning of class on the day the assignment is due. ¥
The assignments must be saved in a folder titled lastname_firstname in lower case letters. ¥
The assignment folder must be prepared for archiving, meaning it must contain
only the necessary files and folders using the specified file formats and
compression. ¥
Specified file formats for presentations include .ppt, .pdf, .doc, .html,
.jpg, .swf or .mov. Presentations are formal and should be prepared in a
presentation format. Leafing through individual files in production applications
is unacceptable. ¥
Maya files must be turned in as a bare-bones project directory titled lastname_firstname
in lower case letters with only the
necessary files and subdirectories. ¥
Movie files must be saved as a self-contained QuickTime movie titled lastname_firstname.mov at 640 X 480 at 29.97 fps compressed with Sorrenson
Video 3 codec with 24-bit color (millions), at a 3,000 K bytes/sec Data Rate. ¥
Students are responsible for the files working properly on the instructor
station, so test your work and equipment ahead of time. Failure
to abide be the assignment guidelines above will result in a grade penalty of
up to a half letter grade deduction each. Students will be evaluated on the
quality of the work as well as the presentation performance. No late work
will be accepted after the final day of regular classes.
Proposal: Students will
present a proposal to class for a semester long project. The class will
discuss the proposal and either we will approve the project or recommend
changes. The Proposals must include the following. . ¥
A concise concept narrative of up to 1,000 words. The content will make up
the oral part of your presentation to the class. ¥
A storyboard and concept art consisting of high quality color illustrations
in digital form at a 640 X 480, 72 dpi resolution. ¥
If your projects require a script, a draft should be included in with your
proposal. ¥
An organized and succinct production schedule including specific dates. I
recommend the following production pipeline, but students must add the
necessary details required by the proposed project. A typical production
pipeline consists of concept development, script writing, concept art,
storyboard, modeling, texturing, lighting, audio, animating, dynamics,
rendering, compositing, editing, titles, credits, and final output.
Presentation One, Two and Three:
For presentation one and two, students will present a Maya scene file, screen
shots and test renders of the progress on their project to date. Your
presentation must also include a demonstration of a unique technique, which
you have used in the project.
Final Project: All final projects
must be saved as movies based on the specifications in the assignment
guidelines above and must include audio, titles and credits. GRADING: ¥ Proposal: 10%. ¥ Presentation One: 10%. ¥ Presentation Two: 10%. ¥ Presentation Three: 10%. ¥ Final project: 40%. ¥ Participation: 10%. ¥ Attendance, punctuality and preparedness: 10%. 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: ¥ According to College policy, unexcused absences beyond
five will result in a failing grade. ¥
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. READING: ¥ Learning Autodesk Maya 8 Foundation, Autodesk
Maya Press (2006), ISBN 1-897177-33-x. ¥ The Art of Maya: An Introduction to 3D Computer
Graphics, by Alias Learning Tools, Sybex; 3 edition (March 18, 2005), ISBN 1-894893-82-4. BROWSING: ¥ 3D Buzz.com http://3dbuzz.com. ¥ 3D CafŽ http://www.3dcafe.com/index.php. ¥ 3DLuVR http://www.3dluvr.com. ¥ Animated World Network http://www.awn.com. ¥ Autodesk http://usa.autodesk.com. ¥ Gnomon http://www.gnomon3d.com http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/tutorials.html. ¥ Highend3d http://www.highend3d.com. http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/. ¥ Tutorial Find http://www.tutorialfind.com ¥ Web 3D Service http://www.web3dservice.com/. http://www.web3dservice.com/maya_tutorials.html. ¥ Sounddogs.com http://www.sounddogs.com. Please email additional
URLs to john_craig_freeman@emerson.edu. SUPPLIES: ¥ FireWire Removable Hard Drive. I recommend
LaCie. Consider the portability of the device. Minimum requirement would be
40GB at 7200 (RPM) with FireWire interface. Options can be found at: http://www.lacie.com/ ¥ CD-Rs or DVDs as needed. ¥ Sketchbook ¥ Graph paper pad ¥ Drawing Pencils ¥ Technical erasure COURSE CALENDAR: Subject to
changes as necessary WEEK #1
Wed.
01/23/08 Introductions Syllabus/Calendar Assignment:
Proposal Reading: The Art of Maya. pp. 98-108. WEEK
#2
Mon. 01/28/08 Example:
Only If They Could Have Seen It, Negar Azarbayjani, 2005 from MA626. Demo
01: Reference Images, Image
Planes. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_01
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 109-114. Wed. 01/30/08 Example:
Argus; Josh Grayson, 2005 from MA418. Demo
02: Polygonons. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_02
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 116-122. WEEK
#3
Mon. 02/04/08 Example:
Star Wars Lego, Blake Metzler, 2003 from MA625. Due: Proposals Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 123-128. Wed. 02/06/08 Example:
Boston Time, Tiberius Nour, 2004 from MA418. Demo
03: NURBS. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_03
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 129-134. WEEK
#4
Mon. 02/11/08 Example:
Dream Gallery, Rachel Eisengart, 2005 from MA626. Demo
04: Subdivisions. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_04
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 135-138. Wed. 02/13/08 Example:
Time 101, Nobuko Iki, 2005 from MA626. Demo
05: Texturing http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_05
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 141-148. WEEK
#5
Mon. 02/18/08 President's Day observed (no classes). Tue. 02/19/08 Example:
Real-Unreal Nilobon Kuanpermsin, 2005 Masters Project. Demo
06: Rigging. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_06
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 149-156. Wed. 02/20/08 Demo
07: Skining. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_07
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 158-166. WEEK
#6
Mon. 02/25/08 Due: Presentation One Demo
08: Setting Keys, Graphing Animation,
Path Animation, Set Driven Key. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_08
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 167-174. Wed. 02/27/08 Demo
09: Expressions, Nonlinear Animation,
Dynamic Simulations. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_09
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 176-184. WEEK
#7
Mon. 03/03/08 Demo
10: Sound Sync, Order of Operation,
Hierarchical Animation. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_10
Reading; The Art of Maya, pp. 185-194. Wed. 03/05/08 Demo
11: Blend Shapes. http://wiki.itg.emerson.edu/John_Craig_Freeman/index.php/Computer_Animation_2:_Demo_11
Reading: The Art of Maya, pp. 195-200. Spring
Break
Mon. 03/11/08 Spring Break (no classes) Wed. 03/13/08 Spring Break (no classes) WEEK
#8
Mon. 03/17/08 Due: Presentation Two Wed. 03/19/08 Mid-semester
Evaluations Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK #9
Mon. 03/24/08 Studio: Work on final projects. Wed. 03/26/08 Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK
#10
Mon. 03/31/08 Studio: Work on final projects. Wed. 04/02/08 Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK
#11
Mon. 04/07/08 Due: Presentation Three Wed. 04/09/08 Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK
#12
Mon. 04/14/08 Studio: Work on final projects. Wed. 04/16/08 Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK #13
Mon. 04/21/08 Patriot's Day (no classes). Wed. 04/23/08 Studio: Work on final projects. WEEK
#14
Mon. 04/28/08 Studio: Work on final projects. Wed. 04/30/08 Studio: Work on final projects. FINAL
Mon. 5/5/08,
6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Due:
Final Projects. |