Course Description

This course will introduce students to a survey of topics pertaining to 3D Animation. We will look at the complete list of Maya’s modeling and texturing tools. We will follow that up with a comprehensive look at animation and rigging in Maya. Finally, we will check out the different methods used in lighting and rendering. Towards the end of the class, we will look at modeling highly detailed assets in Zbrsuh. The assignments are geared to give you an introduction to the production of Games, Film and TV.

The first section of the course will cover the basic tools and techniques used to create and animate both man made and organic objects in Maya. The lectures will encompass the use of curves and surface tools when modeling both a Polygon and Sub Divided mesh. Then we will cover the basics of animating and rigging a character.  After the basics are covered the course will center on the techniques used in Lighting and rendering the models you have created and animated. The class will end with a cursory look at high-res modeling in Zbrush. You will be asked not to just learn but master the methods entertainment studios use in production.

We will be doing most of our work in Photoshop, Maya and Zbrush, these programs are the industry standard for Film TV and Game development.

 

Instructor Contact

• David Dawson
• Email: DDawson@riohondo.edu
• Office Hours: Friday 1:30 PM -4:30 PM

I am providing a schedule that will allow you to set up a time each week to go over your progress and speak with me when it is convenient for you. You will need to speak with me at least twice a week to keep pace with the class.

Link to schedule a meeting with me (Links to an external site.)

 

MY EMAIL DDawson@riohondo.edu

I will typically respond within an hour to email, in addition to this, I use Discord and if you are familiar with it, you can message me and if I don't respond immediately I will within an hour.

 

Link to Download DISCORD

https://discord.com/download

My Discord Contact: DDawson#1623, send me a friend request!

 

• Course Modality and General Expectations

This is an entirely online course. This course will be delivered entirely online through the learning management system, Canvas. You will use your Rio Hondo username and password to log in to the Canvas course. 

In Canvas, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources. At designated times throughout the semester, we will participate in a blend of self-paced and group-paced activities using Canvas, Zoom web-conferencing, and other internet-based technologies. Activities will consist of online assignments, discussion forums, and announcements. All student work is submitted/posted online in Canvas and to a Google drive. Before the class starts click the link below and create a folder with your first and last name.

Link to your Google Drive Space (Links to an external site.)

This is a 3-unit course and will require approximately 6 hours per week in order to read course materials, watch course lectures, and participate in course assessment activities. 

 

Goals and Learning Objectives

• The student will create a convincing idle animation that clearly demonstrates the personality of a given character.
• The Student should be able to create a convincing bouncing ball animation that clearly demonstrates an understanding of weight.
• Student will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of drag and overlapping action as it pertains to animation.

SLO/Student Learning Outcomes

Given a set of orthographic template drawings of an object, students will construct a virtual 3D model by correctly visualizing its shape, accurately dimensioning its proportions, and using efficient construction techniques.

• The student will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the polygon tools used when box modeling virtual 3D models.
• The student will demonstrate an understanding of non-manifold geometry and an efficient approach to representing detail in a polygon mesh.
• The student will demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate use of curves and surface tools when generating a virtual 3D mesh.

Given a specific type of material the student will be able to correctly create and accurately apply the appropriate the shading network to a virtual 3D model.

 

• Student will be able to choose the appropriate shader to represent the visible characteristics of the materials being represented.
• Student will be able to competently create a shading network that will display the visible characteristics of the materials being represented.
• Student will be able to competently apply the shading network to the 3D model and the components that make it up.

Given a virtual 3-D model of a character or a manmade object, the student should choose the appropriate approach to projecting an accurate and efficient UV layout.

• The student chooses the most efficient software package and the appropriate approach to unwrapping the 3D model.
• The student creates an accurate UV layout by competently positioning; rotating and scaling the UV shells that make up the objects unwrap.
• The student efficiently utilizes the objects UV space, and the correct number of UV sets to competently unwrap the virtual model.

Required Course Materials

13. You need a computer.

You will need a PC or MAC, either a laptop or desktop computer that can run Maya. To check that your computer has the system requirements to run Maya click the link below before you download and install it.

Link to system requirements for Maya (scroll down until you see system requirements) (Links to an external site.)

• You need Maya.

We will be using Maya, the industry standard for character animators in the entertainment industry (it is free for students). You will be given the character rigs you will need for each lesson and a step-by-step video tutorial. The next thing you need to do is click the link below and sign up with the Autodesk's educational community, please use your Rio Hondo email. Autodesk will send you a serial number and key to the email you use to sign up so check your email and use the serial number and key to activate your software.

Sign Up with Autodesk's Educational Community and download Maya (Links to an external site.)

Grading Policy 

In this class 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D 59-0=F.

Every two weeks, work will be discussed in a class critique through ZOOM. Grades for each project will be based on craftsmanship and quality, as well as an expressed understanding of concepts. All work must be turned in on time for full credit. An emphasis is placed on the artistic merit and appeal of your work!

The grade of C is considered average. If work meets the minimum stated requirements for the project, it will be considered average in terms of design, concept, and craft. Work that exceeds that basic expectation will have points added and fall into the B range, and exceptional work will earn an A. Work that fails to meet the minimum criteria for the project will receive C, D, or F.

University Policies

There are important University policies that you should be aware of, such as the Academic Integrity, Discrimination and Harassment, Add/Drop, and Student Conduct policies. - Rio Hondo College Policies (Links to an external site.)]

 

DO NOT CHEAT!

Students who submit work for credit that has been authored by anyone other than themselves, or who plagiarize (copy) work by others will fail the course and may be subject to further departmental and university discipline.

 

 Rules of Conduct

Students will refrain from behavior that intentionally or unintentionally disrupts the learning process and thus impedes the mission of the college. Students are prohibited from making offensive remarks, talking at inappropriate times, wearing inappropriate clothing or engaging in any other form of distraction. Inappropriate behavior shall result in a directive to leave class. Students who are especially disruptive also may be reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action in accordance with college policy.

 

Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS)

The faculty and staff of DSPS are committed to providing students with disabilities the opportunity to effectively matriculate into the mainstream of college and community life. We do this by providing services and instruction that promotes equal access to educational programs, self-advocacy, and personal growth opportunities that foster individual student success.

• Phone: (562) 908-3420
• Local Phone (562) 364-8433 (for Deaf and Hard of Hearing only)
• DSPS Website (Links to an external site.)

Psychological Services

• • • Phone: (562) 908-3438
    • Psychological Services Website (Links to an external site.)

 

Course Schedule

WEEK	TOPIC	DUE
Week 1	Module 1 |  Class Overview	Week 1: Sign Up with Autodesk's education Community and create a Zoom account. Install Maya and Zoom installed on our computers!
Week 2 to 4	Module 2 |  Modeling	Week 2: Download the necessary files from Canvas and begin watching the  Modeling tutorial. Week 4:  Complete Modeling tutorials. Week 4: Iron Giant's head Modeled
Week 4 to 7	Module 3 |  Lighting and Rendering	Week 4:  Download the necessary files from Canvas and begin watching the Lighting and Rendering tutorials. Week 7:  Complete Lighting and Rendering tutorials. Week 7: Iron Giant's head lit and rendered
Week 7 to 10	Module 4 |  Animation	Week 7:  Download the necessary files from Canvas and begin watching the Animation tutorials. Week 10:  Complete the Animation tutorials. Week 9: Animated bouncing ball
Week 10 to 13	Module 5 |  Rigging	Week 10:  Download the necessary files from Canvas and begin watching the Rigging tutorials. Week 13:  Complete Rigging tutorials. Week 13: Paw character rigged
Week 13 to 16	Module 6 |  Personal Project	Week 13:  Start your personal project Week 16:Personal Project Due

How-to Videos for students

Does a student need helping using their add code?  Checking their email or navigating canvas?  The link below has many “how-to” videos to help students troubleshoot some frequently asked questions. https://www.riohondo.edu/counseling-center/