ART 4960

ADNVANCED ANIMATION

FALL 2017, CSULA

Professor JIM OVELMEN

jim@jimovelmen.com

Jim.Ovelmen@calstatela.edu

 

WEDNESDAYS 4:00pm-8:40pm

OFFICE FA 227

PHONE 323-343-4033

LOCATION Rm. FA 225, Fine Arts Building

OFFICE HOURS: SEE SYLLABI PAGE

LAB HOURS click: OR PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE POSTED OUTSIDE THE DOOR: FA 225

*if you would like to meet with me during my Office Hours, please email to confirm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course present a focused study of advanced 3D character and non-character animation mainly using Maya as our platform, although 2D animation is also supported. As is ART4940 students are allowed to use provided pre-rigged characters, or create their own. Similar to the 4940 class, students are expected to complete animation specific assignments on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. In this class, however, the assignments are both more challenging and conceptually based. Students are expected to already posses a foundational strength in locomotion and timing and principles of 2D and 3D animation. In this class, the student will not only be challenged and pushed further in their skill and ability in the techniques of animation, they will be expected to give highly creative, expressive and unique solutions to assignments. The solutions students create and the effectiveness of their communication as animation is the center of their success in this class

New tools, techniques, efficient ways of creating high-quality animated content, will be given in the form of lectures demonstration and illustrations on this web site. Examples of professional work, and sample of successful animated pieces from all over the world will be shown on a regular basis.

Tutorials and demonstrations may come in the for of short demos and divulging of tips and workflows, including an extensive array of tools and uses. blend-shape creation for facial animation, animating various attributes, set driven keys, FX animation, writing scripts and expressions.

After this class is successfully completed, the student will be technically and conceptually prepared to begin the Capstone Animation process, where they will have the ability to create their own character or content into the short-film story process or be prepared for the thesis level work.

  

PREREQUISITES

ART 4940, 3D Animation

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

Class lectures, in-class assignments, and project related demonstrations will be provided from original or researched content. Supplemental homework assignments, specific tutorials from published sources will be given. Most of these assignments are, of course, to be done exclusively outside the hours of class time.

The expectation is aproximately 8 hours per week working outside of class on project assignments and homework. Lab hours will be posted.
There are numerous books and online tutorials on 3D and classic animation. I have listed recommendations of texts and URLs for further study. I will also distribute, handouts, images, and other reference materials to supplement your studies.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL CGI SITES
Creative Crash, AWN, CGChannel

 

STUDENT RESOURCES
ANIMATION MENTOR REELS on
face robot: old lady, young girl
image metrics (facemocap): lady,old man
Stop Staring, BLENDER NATION , RIGGING 101 , GENERI , BLENDER NATION ,Animation Mentor, face-rig reel

 

STUDENT DROPBOX
dropbox instructions

Maya Tutorials on LYNDA.COM (login CSULA account first)

UNIVERSITY POLICY

Student Handbook
Information on student rights and responsibilities, academic honesty, standards of conduct, etc., can be found in Schedule of Classes (http://www.calstatela.edu/classschedule/) under Policies and Procedures.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any student who is registered with the Office of Students with Disabilities and requests needed accommodation.

Any student with any learning disabilities (i.e., reading, speaking, and/or writing impediments) that might affect his/her performance in this class is encouraged to notify me in writing at the beginning of the SEMESTER identifying the specific nature of such disability.

  

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency at timing, weight, and locomotion of lifelike animated content.-Create a high-quality, expressive, short animated projects, ready for broadcast, the web or short presentation. Have a deep understanding of essential animation concepts and appreciation of the underpinnings of the craft and art form through exposure to historical and contemporary examples; which will broaden their experience, thus, approach to the animated form.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Timing for Animation, by Harold Whitaker and John Halas, Focal Press ISBN 0-240-51714-8

-The Illusion of Life, Disney Animation Walt Disney Productions ISBN 0-7868-6070-7

-The Animator’s Reference Book , Les Pardew & Ross WolfleyThompson Course Technology, USBN 1-59200-675-2

-The Animators Survival Kit, by Richard Williams, Faber, ISBN 0-571-20228-4

-Cartoon Animation, by Preston Blair, Walter Foster, ISBN 1-56010-084-2

-Understanding Comics, Scott McCould, ISBN 0-06-097625-X

-Character Animation in 3D, Steve Roberts, Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation ISBN 0-240-51665-6

 

REQUIRED SUPPLIES

4 Gig Flash Drive

100-200 Gig External Drive

10x14" Sketchbook

Drawing supplies, pencils, pens

dry erase markers

small mirror
                                                         
COURSE OUTLINE subject to change

Wed, Aug 23

WELCOME

animation production flowchart

Moana: production

CHARACTER ANIMATION REFRESHER

BASIC TIMING

Timing Basics

concepts
* Timing
* Anticipation
* Follow-through
* Overlapping action
* Weight and balance
* Staging and silhouette

anticipation explained, antic grab, antic cartoon, follow through, flag_cycle, stick_and_string, force,

STRONG POSES and SILHOUETTES

in class demo, and exercise

LAYERED versus POSE to POSE animation technique

in class assignment: Basic Jump

do one POSE to POSE, do one LAYERED style of animation

POSE to POSE animation tutorial

LAYERED animation tutorial

LAYERED walk cycle tutorial

using TRAX EDITOR for poses tutorial

using VIDEO REFERENCE!

female kick, male dive roll, male jump vault, heavy male roll 100-FUN-WALKS

student video reference (must log-in)

 
 

TECHNICAL REFRESHERS

The Graph Editor

Normalize Curves, Buffer Curves, Breakdown Keys (Keys>Convert), prompt set keys Animation Channels, muting Channels, Locking Channels,

Other Editors: Dope Sheet, Trax Editor, Outliner

S Sets a key the same as Animate > Set Key
Shift-W Sets keys for translation
Shift-E Sets keys for rotation
Shift-R Sets keys for scale

Animate>Ghost Selected to see trail

PRICIPLES of WEIGHT:

"Fat"(weight) animation

ball-bounce full, Bowling ball down, ball-bounce Part1, ball-bounce Part2, ball compare, inanimate object nature, anything a ball, parabolas, water balloon, weight and force, fast action antic
PROJECT #1 AN OLYMPIC ACTION, due week 2, must be 8 seconds of animation.
Using ONE of the rigs below, create a character animation that incorporates a SPORTING or OLYMPIC event in some way. Look for action in the event that presents CLEAR, STRONG poses. What can be even more interesting are moments that causes the character to fall off balance and regain balance. You may choose LAYERED animation or POSE to POSE, technique. Begin by blocking in your poses, keep a clean graph editor, and focus on QUALITY over quantity. Look for video reference on the Internet, or ACT OUT yourself or video tape yourself. Take only one part of the action that is most interesting in terms of clear poses.

DUE at the beginning of class, NEXT WEEK Playblasts are acceptable but must be HD in size and all controls and grid must be hidden. You may use/build simple props if you wish.

USE VIDEO REFERENCE: Motion references are essential! Look of samples above, then find or create your own reference. Flat front and side angles are most helpful! you can record video your own on your phone! you don't have to be an expert!

IMPORTANT: Be prepared to receive criticism on the strength/weaknesses of your animation in terms of weight, timing, silhouette, posing, and staging. These are basic concepts of locomotion that should have been mastered in the prerequisite class ART4940. We will quickly move into advanced and nuanced animation assignments, including acting. If you are not up to speed with this assignment, you need to spend extra time outside of class on tutorials. You will be working approximately 8 hours outside of class per week, This first assignment is due next week. After that, a project is due generally every TWO weeks, except for project 7 which you will have extra weeks. You will graded at TWO major times: at MIDTERM COMPILATION and FINAL COMPILATION. These compilations are your completed projects edited together in one video. However, each individual project is due as listed on this syllabus, and considered late or not acceptable if not uploaded before class on its due date. On each and every project due date, we will host a critique so you will have useful feedback to make improvements toward your compilations.

The idea is not that you will produce masterpieces for your demo reel, but that you can work professionally, creatively per deadline to jumpstart growth in your advanced animation skills. The class structure demands this. At the end of this class, You may, for your own demo reel, choose one project to polish over many months. This is indeed what is needed to be competitive in the actual animation world! Putting class assignments on your professional demo reel is not competitive. You still may be even years away from having good enough work for that. You must understand the level of time and commitment is immense. Know that it is possible to work MONTHS on just 20 seconds of character animation. In this class, we will have a much faster pace. We will be using "PRE-RIGGED" characters so that we may focus every minute of available time dedicated to animating. This is an understandable compromise because the anatomy of a rig essentially influences its movement and expressive potential. Moreover, I can only evaluate your work based on the success of the ANIMATION, and not the properties, nor the engineering, look, or design of a rig or a particular character.

This why it is important to use a good quality rig, or if you find something new, show it to me first before I allow you to use it for your animation. The rigs featured in this website are student quality and good for university animation courses.

You are also expected TO CONTRIBUTE in critiques. Adding constructive criticism. Failure to verbally or otherwise contribute in critiques will greatly impact your participation grade.

for AN OLYMPIC ACTION use FLOUR SACK (if you want to use a different rig, check with me first)

  
DOWNLOAD PAGE

An assortment of other rigs includes: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie, and more...

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.

 

how to use

see sack in action

see past student work (log-in to your csula account first)

 
 
                                                     
 

Wed, Aug 30

PROJECT #1 AN OLYMPIC ACTION is DUE today
class critique first half of class

Basic Concepts of Skeleton Control

Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers, Pole Vectors

ZOOTOPIA: character study

Futher Study:

-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching

acting flowchart

 

PROJECT #2 THE LOSER, due week4, must be at least 15 seconds, HD sized, hardware render acceptable.

see assignment specs here

See past student work (must login csula account first)

Create an animation showing the concept of "Dejection"

 

for OLYMPIC ACTION You may choose ONE of the following pre-rigged characters..
GENERI_rig.mb PACKAGE MAN.mb
Go Your Own Way
 DOWNLOAD PAGE
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

Generi is a BASIC model rigged for character animation, Full lip sync and facial controls including the trigger UI. It's a simple model with a high quality rig.
IK Joe is a extremely BASIC Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice, simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies.
Underwear clad, somewhat simple rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more.
Simple, Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, Low rez.
You may use your own rig, or one you find OR use abstract forms. Must be approved by me before starting!!

An assortment of rigs including: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie.

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.

how to Use

 how to use
                                                     
 

Wed, Sep 6

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT 2: "THE LOSER"

BASIC KINETICS in CGI

Utility Nodes, Squash and Stretch Expressions, MEL scripting a sample setup, Facial Blend-shapes, Wrap Deformers, Expressions for a Flapping Wing, Set Driven Keys

use reference:

dive, lift_2D, lift_3D, pull, push, animating a lift

have the joints rotate and the character walk in place: FK. then try an IK setup

ZOOTOPIA: character study

 

 

BUILDING and RIGGING a SIMPLE CHARACTER by creating the Skeleton first, and using Sud-div to "grow" out the body. The Convert to Polys. SMOOTH BIND to Skeleton, and Look At weighting issues.

Emphasize the Difference between Rigid and Smooth Binds

Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers, Painting Weights

 

 
 

OVERVIEW

 

Mike Spokas Overview

Joe Rule Overview

TIPS

 
 
                                                     
 

Wed, Sep 13

PROJECT #2 THE LOSER is DUE today
class critique first half of class

continue lecture on IK and FK, joint orientation, joint axes, local/world/object axes

Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers, Pole Vectors

ZOOTOPIA: animator roundtable

Continued Rigging Study:

-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching

acting flowchart

PROJECT #3 FUTILITY, due week6

Character animation must be at least 15 SECONDS. HD sized. Clean playblasts or hardware renders acceptable.

You may also choose to do 2D animation for one or all of the subsequent assignments;

However, you must show to me first you have the skills to pursue this.

see assignment specs here

See past student work(you must login csula account first)

 

For THE LOSER You may choose ONE of the following...
DOWNLOAD PAGE
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

An assortment of rigs including: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie.

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.

 
how to use
other choices...
PACKAGE MAN.mb IK Joe.mb GENERI_rig.mb MEEPER_low.mb Go Your Own Way do a 2D animation
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more.

Generic Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice, simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies.

 Generi is a very generic/basic model rigged for character animation, Full lip sync and facial controls including the trigger UI. It's a simple model with a high quality rig. Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, Low rez. You may use your own rig, or one you find or use abstract forms. Must be approved by me before starting!! If you wish, you may do a 2D animation for this assignments. See below...
How to Use How to Use

How to Use

 How to Use More Info more about
 
                                                     
 

Wed, Sep 20

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT #3 FUTILITY

TRAX EDITOR in MAYA

 

You can build a whole library of facial animation clips and use them over and over.

good basic intro to TRAX

creating Character Sets in TRAX

relevant FILMS or ANIMATED shorts relating to class topics.

RATATOUILLE Progession Reel

TANGLED blocking, animation polishing (Kyle Balda)

 

Trax Editor is very useful for blending, repeating, and re-timing animated clips which can are stored and edited in completely "nonlinear" form. It is a very powerful non-linear editor.

The Trax editor is used more by video game projects than feature film. Although not considered precision tool for feature-quality character animation, Trax may be useful in video game characters whose motions are repetitive, ie. background characters (crowds or cycling behaviors). Moreover, Trax can be helpful BLEND and and recylce FACIAL EXPRESSIONS of a character.

Walk Cycle Refresher

angry walk, cool walk, depressed walk, dreamy walk, happy walk, macho walk, run, run_away, run_toward, skip, sneak, tip toe
                                               
 

Wed, Sep 27

PROJECT #3 FUTILITY is DUE today
class critique first half of class

TIPS

DREAMWORKS: studio pipeline

Continued Rigging Study:

-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching

acting flowchart

PROJECT #4 TIMES ARROW, due week8

character animation must be at least 15 SECONDS. HD sized. Hardware render acceptable.

ASSIGMNENT SPECS

See past student work(you must login csula account first)

for TIMES ARROW You may choose ONE of the following...
DOWNLOAD PAGE
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

An assortment of rigs including: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie.

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.

 
how to use

other choices...
PACKAGE MAN.mb IK Joe.mb GENERI_rig.mb MEEPER_low.mb Go Your Own Way do a 2D animation
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more.

Generic Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice, simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies.

 Generi is a very generic/basic model rigged for character animation, Full lip sync and facial controls including the trigger UI. It's a simple model with a high quality rig. Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, Low rez. You may use your own rig, or one you find or use abstract forms. Must be approved by me before starting!! If you wish, you may do a 2D animation for this assignments. See below...
How to Use How to Use

How to Use

 How to Use More Info more about
 
 

Wed, Oct 4

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT #4 TIME'S ARROW

RIGGING DEMO (continued)

 

Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers,

 
 

 

 

BUILDING AND RIGGING A SIMPLE CHARACTER by creating the Skeleton first, and using Sud-div to "grow" out the body. The Convert to Polys. SMOOTH BIND to Skeleton, and Look At weighting issues.

Emphasize the Difference between Rigid and Smooth Binds

Utility Nodes, Squash and Stretch Expressions, MEL scripting a sample setup, Facial Blend-shapes, Wrap Deformers, Expressions for a Flapping Wing, Set Driven Keys

 
 
                                                     
 

Wed, Oct 11

MIDTERM COMPILATION is DUE

PROJECTS #1-4 : (1)Olypmic Action, (2)The Loser, (3)Futility, and (4)Time's Arrow

upload a Final QUICKTIME MOV including projects 1-4 edited one after another.

Give project title each before it plays with 3 seconds of black between each.

List credits for any pre-rigs that you have.
class critique first half of class

TIPS

Continued Rigging Study:

-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching

acting flowchart

PROJECT #5 GRACE UNDER PRESSURE, due week10

Create a character animation displaying the idea of "grace under pressure" Must be at least 15 seconds, hardware render playblast at HD size.

You may chose from the same cast of characters/choices that was given in week 4

assignment specs

                                                     
 

Wed, Oct 18

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT#5 GRACE UNDER PRESSURE

RIGGING DEMO continued (specific topics)

-create a Reverse Foot Lock

-IK/FK switching

Demo Reel TIPS:

what to put on a TD reel

creating blend shapes

sample rigging reels: HsuangWei-Liang
                                                     
 

Wed, Oct 25

PROJECT #5 GRACE UNDER PRESSURE is DUE today
class critique first half of class

TIPS

from SING: "Shake it Off", Auditions

"Thought of You","Duet" GLEN KEANE

from DUMBO "Pink Elephants on Parade"

from SILLY SYMPHONIES: "The Skeleton Dance"

from CHICOandRITA excerpts

Billy Jean, MJ-dance

 

 

Continued Rigging Study:

-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching

acting flowchart

PROJECT #6 DANCING with THE STARS, due week12

Character animation. must be at least 25 seconds. HD sized. Hardware render acceptable.

see assignment specs

See past student work(you must login csula account first)

For DANCING you may use ONE of the following, OR alternatives below...

DOWNLOAD PAGE
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

An assortment of rigs including: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie.

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.

 
how to use

other choices...
PACKAGE MAN.mb IK Joe.mb GENERI_rig.mb MEEPER_low.mb Go Your Own Way do a 2D animation
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more.

Generic Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice, simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies.

 Generi is a very generic/basic model rigged for character animation, Full lip sync and facial controls including the trigger UI. It's a simple model with a high quality rig. Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, Low rez. You may use your own rig, or one you find or use abstract forms. Must be approved by me before starting!! If you wish, you may do a 2D animation for this assignments. See below...
How to Use How to Use

How to Use

 How to Use More Info more about
 
                                                     
 

Wed, Nov 1

 

 

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT #6 DANCING WITH THE STARS

PIXAR: "Inside Out, Making Of"

 

 
                                                     
 

Wed, Nov 8

PROJECT #6 DANCING WITH THE STARS is DUE today
class critique first half of class

INTRO TO FACIAL ANIMATION and ACTING:

· if you have a character with a facial rig already set-up, or even if you don't, you can convey emotion through a character's body language and timing. Animate a pre-rigged character in an emotional event: rage, disappointment, happiness, boredom, etc. Use any combination of FK or IK whatever suits your situation best. make sure you Animation is at least 15 seconds.

Ardman Animation: Creature Comforts: What is Art?, Zoo Interview, Being a Bird

Animation Mentor: Toad/Frog/Lobster , Erroneous, ooops, water shortage, Generi hates Beets, Feelings Not Important, Tangled BLOCKING, ANIMATION-POLISHING, ACTING-TUTORIAL(Kyle Balda)

Other: the truth, FartyAndBloated, the Argument Clinic

FACIAL RIGGING

· animate a lip-synch with a pre-rigged model, use BASIC GUY rig

BLEND SHAPES

(CTRL + MMB to slow down interp)

Models (facial rigging)

· Face mask, · Devil Head

face-rig reel

BASIC MEL

"Stop Staring" Facial Animation Setup (rig forthcoming)

practice 3D lip-synching

I have nothing to say_v1, I have nothing to say_v2, I have nothing to say_v3

PROJECT #7 THE ARGUMENT assigned, due week15

Create an 25 second animation where 2 CHARACTERS are in debate, discussion, or argument

You will have EXTRA WEEKS to work on this assignment

note: you may also animate perhaps a "passionate discussion" as well

as literally, an "argument"

see this assignment spec.

See past student work(you must login csula account first)
for THE ARGUMENT you may use ONE of the following, or alternates below...
DOWNLOAD PAGE
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.
Morpheus is a high quality rig, with facial controls, GUIs for facial and body, and other special features. To gain full advantage of all his capability, download the "RAR" file (expand after downloading). It has folders with the rigs, as well as prefs, scripts, and textures; a full package of controls you must include for all controls. Follow all instructions on the site closely. For thorough description of use and details click the below link.

An assortment of rigs including: Blake, Caroline, Mery, Ray, Sack, Squirrel, Stewart, and Zombie.

FIRST, log into your CSULA account.

THEN, click on the link above to download.
how to use

Alternatives...
PACKAGE MAN.mb Do a 2D animation GENERI_rig.mb BASIC GUY(zip) Go Your Own Way
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more.

If you wish, you may do a 2D animation for this assignments. See below...

 Generi is a very generic/basic model rigged for character animation, Full lip sync and facial controls including the trigger UI. It's a simple model with a high quality rig. Fully rigged character. High quality, facial Setup You may use your own rig, or one you find or use abstract forms. Must be approved by me before starting!!
How to Use more about

How to Use

 How to Use More Info

More about alternate project :

Sample ideas could be: Particle or FX Animation, Abstract Animation/ Motion Graphics. Focused Character Study. etc. Toon shader, or Animated Shader Experiments.

 
                                                     
 

Wed, Nov 15

 

CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROJECT #7 THE ARGUMENT

 
                                                     
 

Wed, Nov 22

 

FALL RECESS DAY (thanksgiving) NO CLASS

 

 
                                                     
 

Wed, Nov 29

PROJECT #7 THE ARGUMENT is DUE today

class critique

work on improvements to all animations and Final Compilation

 
                                                     
 

 

Wed, Dec 6

Finals Day

Advanced Animation FINAL: Wednesday, Dec 6th, 8:00pm-10:00pm, FA225

CSULA finals schedule

FINAL COMPILATION is DUE

PROJECTS #5-7 : (5) GRACE UNDER PRESSURE, (6) DANCING, (7) The ARGUMENT

upload a Final QUICKTIME MOV including projects 5-7 edited one after another.

Give project title each before it plays with 3 seconds of black between each.

List credits for any pre-rigs that you have.
class presentation & farewell

 
GRADING                                                
 

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Homework assignments will be given points based on accurate completion of assigned readings, assignments and tutorials.

All Projects will be Graded on the following Criteria

* Timing, Weight and Locomotion

* Appeal & Effectiveness

* Level of Challenge

*Originality, Creativity and Content (if Applicable)

Each given an equal weight of 20% of the point composition for each project.

It is, of course, the responsibility of each to ensure his/her work in completed an handed in on due dates (see below)

Critical review of your work will provide the source most assessments. Participation grade includes the extent and quality of the participation in the critiques, presentation of projects and positive interaction with classmates and professional approach toward the class. Students requiring any kind of special assistance should speak with the instructor at their earliest

 

GRADING

Attendance and Participation: %20 (click to see rubric)

MIDTERM COMPILATION (Prjs. 1-4) % 30 (click to see rubric)

FINAL COMPILATION (Prjs 5-7) % 50 (click to see rubric)

GRADE SCALE: A 90%-100%B 80%-89%C 70%-79%D 60%-69%F Below 60%

IMPROVEMENT POINTS

Students may be able to re-submit any assignment for an improvement points as long as that assignment was turned in the ORIGINAL DUE DATE. The policies are specific to each assignment. Check specific project descriptions for more details.

Other opportunities for extra credit are possible involving visiting related exhibits, films, museums, specific research, attending relevant shows or conferences, or related study, etc. Such points are limited and per the instructor's discretion

POLICIES

The learning curve in Maya is steep, missing even one class is enough to put you significantly behind. Regular class attendance in mandatory. Class attendance is also part of your class participation grade. Arriving on time is equally important. You would be fired in a job you do not show up on time for. The expectation here is similar. You will be considered absent one class period for every three tardies. (more than five minutes late)

THIS CLASS IS ONE DAY A WEEK.

Missing 4 classes, consecutively or not, is an AUTOMATIC FAILURE for the class.

 

 

  

PROFESSIONAL TONE

USE OF MOBILE DEVICES are PROHIBITED during classtime. Make your personal texts and browsing OUTSIDE of the class. Students are expected to work dilgently and prfoessionally during class hours.

Expect to spend from three to six hours a week on your working outside of class. Lab hours will be available and posted by the end of the first week.

Students are responsible for any material missed due to tardiness or absence. Readings, and assignments, and projects are expected at the beginning of class on their due dates.

Late submissions will be lowered one grade per class day late.

student may be able to re-submit any assignment for an improvement grade. The policies are specific to each assignment. Check specific project descriptions for more details.

Late assignments, or absences due only to emergency or illness may be granted leniency only per the instructor's discretion.