ART 496
ADVANCED ANIMATION
FALL 2012
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
LOS ANGELES
Professor JIM OVELMEN
jim@jimovelmen.com
Jim.Ovelmen@calstatela.edu
Meeting Time THURSDAYS 4:20-9:30pm
Office FA 227
Office Hours (SEE SYLLABI PAGE)
Phone Ext. 3-4033
Class Location Rm. FA 225, Art Department
*if you would like to meet with me during my Office Hours,
Please make an Appointment in the Art Office
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 supported and encouraged. As is ART494 students are allowed to use provided pre-rigged characters, or create thier own. Similar also the the 494 class, students are expected to complete animation specific assignments on a weekly basis. In this class, however, the assignments are both more challenging and conceptually based. Students are expected to already posses a foundational stregnth in locomotion and timing and priciples of 2D and 3D animation. In this class, the student will not only be challeneged 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 thier communication as animation is the center of thier success in this class
New tools, techiniques, effecient ways of ceating 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.
Turtorials and demonstrations may come in the for of short demos and divulging of tips and worklfows, icluding an extensive array of tools and uses. blend-shape creation for facial animation, animating various attributes, set driven keys, dynamics/ particle 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 abiility to create thier own character or content into the short-film story process or be prepared for the thesis level work.
PREREQUISITES
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 expecation is 3 to 6 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.
STUDENT RESOURCES
modeling
Mudbox, Z-Brush, Ryan Kittleson Method, Joan of Arc Turtorial, Box Modeling, etc...
rigging
Stop Staring, BLENDER NATION , RIGGING 101 , GENERI , BLENDER NATION ,Animation Mentor, etc...
ANIMATION REELS
face robot: old lady, young girl
image metrics (facemocap): lady, guytohulk, old man
PROFESSIONAL CGI SITES
Creative Crash, AWN, CGChannel
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency at timing, weight, and locomotion of an lifelike animated content.-Have a proficiency of the Drawing and Sceneplanning tools in Toon Boom studio, with the ability to design, create and animated characters and/or elements in an animated scene(s)-Create a high-quality, expressive, short animated film, ready for broadcast, the web or short presentation.-Obtain an understanding of 2D planning of the animated production, including the workflow of staging scenes, templates, and framing the story.-Have a deep understanding of essential animation concepts and appreciation of the underpinnings of the craft and artform 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
REQUIRED SUPPLIES
1-2 Gig Flash Drive
100-200 Gig External Drive
10x14" Sketchbook
Drawing supplies, pencils, pens
small mirror
THURSDAY
Sep 20
PRODUCTION LOOK
In Class Demonstration Maya 2013 and Trax Editor
TIMING PRICIPLES:
anticipation explained, antic grab, antic cartoon, follow through, flag_cycle, stick_and_string, force,
concepts
* Timing
* Anticipation
* Follow-through
* Overlapping action
* Weight and balance
* Staging and silhouettes
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
Demo Olympic Performance for Project #1
the
RIGME character, and ongoing demo
In class Assigment: Flour Sack Animation (refresher)
BREAK: 6:30-7pm
RESUME: GENERI animation (in class)
GENERI_rig.mb 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.
How to Use
THURSDAY Sep 27
PROJECT #1 An Olympic Flour Sack is DUE today
Using the Floursack rig, create an animation that incorprates the events of falling off balance and regaining balance. Create at a 5-10 second animation.
some suggestions/examples
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do a 2D animation |
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basic weight refresher:
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
RIGGING LECTURE
Rig a Bug
Model "bug" using multiple parts and rig with Rigid Binding. How you design and amount of movable parts is up to you, use your imagination! Keep it simple and allowable enough time to finish before next class.. Put IK handles, contraints, whatever is needed on the bug that will help you make it perform a simple walk, or springing animation. 8-10 seconds of animation is fine. Also, you can put Spline IK handles at the ends of the Antennae if you have Antennae. You can use SpringIK (must be loaded) to accordian out complex legs.
lecture about animation hiearchy IK and FK, joint orientation, joint axes, local/world/object axes
Basic Concepts of Skeleton Control
Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers, Pole Vectors
Futher Study:
-creating expressions, create a Reverse Foot Lock, IK/FK switching
PROJECT #2 Rig a Bug is Assgined
THURSDAY
Oct 4
PROJECT #2 Rig a Bug is DUE
Review Rigging projects
basic weight refresher:
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
production
flowchart--------
PROJECT #3 The Loser (Dejection) Assigned
The Loser assignment specs here
Character aniamtion demo
Create an animation showing the concept of "Dejection"
You may choose ONE of the following
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| GENERI_rig.mb | IK Joe.mb | PACKAGE MAN.mb | DIVA.mb | Go Your Own Way |
| 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. | Generic Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice,
simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies. |
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more. | 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 strating!! |
| How to Use | How to Use | How to Use | More Info |
THURSDAY
Oct 11
PROJECT #3 The Loser DUE today
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| PACKAGE MAN.mb | IK Joe.mb | GENERI_rig.mb | MEEPER_low.mb | Go Your Own Way |
| 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 strating!! |
| How to Use | How to Use | How to Use | More Info |
Line of Action, Silhouetting, and Weight & Balance
Futility assignment specs here
-if character based, use only one character, and a prop(s)
IN CLASS DEMO
BUILDING AND RIGGING A SIMPLE CHARACTER by creating the Skeleton first, and using SudDiv to "grow" out the body. The Convert to Polys. SMOOTH BIND to Skeleton, and Look At weighting issues.
Emphaszie the Difference between Rigid and Smooth Binds
RIGGING LECTURE (cont.)
Skeletons and Skinning, Kinematics, Joints and Bones, IK solvers,
Utility Nodes, Squash and Stretch Expressions, MEL scripting a sample setup, Facial Belndshapes, 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
Demos/Lecture:
Painting Weights
THURSDAY
Oct 18
PROJECT #4 Futility DUE today
PROJECT #5 TIMES ARROW is assigned
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| PACKAGE MAN.mb | IK Joe.mb | GENERI_rig.mb | MEEPER_low.mb | Go Your Own Way |
| 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 strating!! |
| How to Use | How to Use | How to Use | More Info |
THURSDAY
Oct 25
PROJECT #5 Times Arrow DUE today
show relevant FILMS or ANIMATED shorts relating to class topics.
IN CLASS DEMO, LECTURE, PRESENTATION:
Dynamics, Motion Graphics, Abstract animation,
you may use Maya Dynamics, Houdini, After Effects, and/or 2D animation techniques to achieve the assignment.
Walk Cycle Refresher
angry walk, cool walk, depressed walk, dreamy walk, happy walk, macho walk, run, run_away, run_toward, skip, sneak, tip toe
PROJECT #6 Rube Goldberg, is assigned: Create an animation in the Spirit of the "Rube Goldberg Machine"
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Do a DYNAMIC ANIMATION* |
| You are expected to answer this assignment by using rigid body or dynamic simulations and/or 2D animation. You may use Maya or Houdini or 2D animation techniques to answer this assignment. An instructor demo will be given at the beginning of the week. |
THURSDAY
Nov 1
PROJECT #6 Rube Goldberg DUE today
PROJECT #7 is Assigned create an abstract animation displaying the idea of "the Birth of the Universe"
Due Monday, Week 7
USE THE TUBE AND PATH ANIMATION TO CREATE THS ABSTRACTION
OR
create an animation using Dynamics, 3D or 2D effects to "Show a disaster that holds a humanistic warning.
Do a Disaster Animation If you choose an Abstract Animation you are expected to answer this assignment by using non-traditional characters or non-character animation, such as using animated forms, visual effects and/or experimental 2d/3d techniques. NOTE: if you choose this route you will be held to the same scrutiny as character animations in that you are expected to meet the same criteria of quality and effectiveness of communication. (see rubrics). Moreover, there will be more scrutiny placed on the visual and emotional effectiveness of the work. If you choose to create a "Disaster Animation with a Huminisic Warning" you are expected to use models, dynamics, particle systems, etc, or a related kind of approach at non-character animation in order to realize the assignment
IN CLASS DEMO
THURSDAY
Nov 8
PROJECT #7 Birth of The Universe DUE today
PROJECT #8 Dancing with the Fallen Stars is assigned
Due Monday, week 8
Create an animation of a dance routine from a bygone or awkward seeming era
you may use ONE of the following:
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| GENERI_rig.mb | IK Joe.mb | PACKAGE MAN.mb | DIVA.mb | Go Your Own Way |
| 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. | Generic Segmented Character Rig. has a very nice,
simple yet advanced facial setup, plus extra goodies. |
Fully rigged character. Facial Setup, IK/FK spine, IK/FK arms and more. | 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 strating!! |
| How to Use | How to Use | How to Use | More Info |
Again, you may use your own rigged character if you have one, but needs to be Approved by me.
Note: The rigged-models have no texture. adding texture to these characters is optional and does not effect your grade.
THURSDAY
Nov
15
PROJECT #8 Dancing DUE today
· 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, disapointment, happiness, boredome, etc. Use any combination of FK or IK whatever suits your situation best. make sure you Animation is at least 15 seconds.
PROJECT #9 The Argument is Assigned
You have TWO WEEKS to work on this assignment
Due Monday, Week 10
note: you may aslo animate perhaps a "passionate discussion" as well
as literally, an "argument"
Ardman Animation: Creature Comforts: What is Art?, Art2, Zoo Interview, Being a Bird
Animation Mentor: Toad/Frog/Lobster , Erroneous, I threw it out, ooops, water shortage, Generi hates Beets, Feelings Not Important, Nuerotrasmit (blocking)
Other: the truth, FartyAndBloated, the Argument Clinic
Create an animation (less than 20 secs) where 2 characters in debate, discussion or argument
there will be more time allowed for the completion of this project (due week 9)
you may use ONE of the following:
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| PACKAGE MAN.mb | IK Joe.mb | GENERI_rig.mb | MEEPER_low.mb | Go Your Own Way |
| 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 strating!! |
| How to Use | How to Use | How to Use | More Info |
Student may choose an alternate project of their choosing:
sample ideas could be: Particle or Dynamic Animation, Abstract Animation/ Motion Graphics. Focused Character Study. etc. Toon shader, or Animated Shader Experiments.
Facial Rigging
Demo
finish the Facial Rig for "RigMe"
· animate a lip-sych with a pre-rigged model
· Blend shapes:
(CTRL + MMB to slow down interp)
Models (facial rigging)
"Stop Staring" Facial Animation Setup (rig forthcoming)
practice 3D lipsynching
some sample voice clips for practice (below)
I have nothing to say_v1, I have nothing to say_v2, I have nothing to say_v3
THURSDAY Nov 22 -THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY- NO CLASS
THURSDAY
Nov 29
PROGRESS SCREENING FOR #9, "THE ARGUMENT"
USE THIS WEEK TO RECEIVE CRITIQUE AND CONTINUE WORKING ON PROJECT #8
Finished piece must be Animation-Based and be at least 10 seconds of quality animation.
Below are some misclaneous items for Special Study:
Rendering Alternatives:
· Toon Shaders, Ramp Shaders, vector Renders, and otherwise 2D-looks Options:
1- SurfaceSample+Ramp and Facing Ratio->Condition
2- TomCat get
the plugin for TomCat
3- Render Man
4- Mental Ray
5- Ramp Shader
Render Services (Farm)
Render Rocket (has student discounts, trials)
PROJECT #9 The Argument DUE today
-USE THIS WEEK TO REVAMP A PREVIOUS PROJECT FOR EXTRA POINTS
-ALSO USE THIS COMPILATE ALL PROJECTS INTO ONE DVD
IN CLASS LECTURE:
Distribution and Portfolio
Consultation on last leg of production: Editing, proper formating, media, specs and content delivery
sample rigging reels: HsuangWei-Liang,
FINAL COMPILATION Put Each of the 7 projects on a CD/DVD is Quicktime Format.
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Homework assignments will be given points based on accurate completion of assigned readings, assignments and tutorials.
All Projects will be Graded oin the following Criteria
* Timing, Weight and Locomotion Effectively Shown
* Staging and Strength of the Animation Design
* Appeal & Effectiveness of Communication of Animation
* Relative Challenge of the Chosen Animation
*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: % 10 (click to see rubric)
Class Participation: % 5 (click to see rubric)
Homework & In-Class Assignments %5 (click to see rubric)
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Project%30 (click to see rubric) [6 each]
6th project, 7th, 8th project %20(click to see rubric) [6.6 each]
9th Project %20(click to see rubric) [20 points]
FINAL COMPILATION%10 (click to see rubric)
GRADE SCALE: A 90%-100%B 80%-89%C 70%-79%D 60%-69%F Below 60%
Extra Credit:
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 realted 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)
Missing 5 classes, consecutively or not) is an AUTOMATIC FAILURE for the class.
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.
