New York City College of Technology The City University of New York Department of Communication Design Course Description This is an intermediate course in computer 3-D modeling, rendering and animation using the Maya software environment. Students will learn intermediate techniques for building models and scenes, animating objects, and rendering with complex surfaces. While exploring 3D design aesthetics, the course emphasizes the practical and technical features of the software. 2 cl hr, 2 lab hrs, 3 cr Prerequisites: COMD 340, COMD 3640 Course Objectives INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT WEEKS APPLIED For the successful completion of this Evaluation methods and course, students should be able to: criteria Create an intermediate level, nondeforming 3D model. 1-4 Understand how to use Image Planes to aid in modeling complex forms. Unwrap UV texture surfaces to create texture maps Create effective texture maps for color, bump, normal, specular and transparency channels. 1 1
Understand and apply lighting design to a 3D rendered scene 6 Render quality images and animations using Mental Ray renderer Use the Graph Editor to edit primary and secondary animation accurately Apply intermediate level animation techniques to a sequence Render scenes for compositing to still and motion graphics Use After Effects to composite rendered scenes with still motion graphics, sound and title sequences Create animatic storyboards for a narrative animation Design digital sets for animation sequences to support a narrative Understand cinematic camera design in an animated sequence Create intermediate level animation sequences to digital files 7 8 10 8 10 7, 11 11 12 12 13 8 1 General Education Outcomes General Education Outcome covered: Listening: The student will demonstrate the ability to discern pertinent information How the outcome is covered: Students will be able to create assignments and projects from oral 2
from irrelevant information. Speaking: The student will demonstrate the ability to articulate himself using relevant industry- specific language The student will demonstrate the ability to evaluate strengths and relevance of arguments on a particular issue. The student will demonstrate the ability to determine whether certain conclusions or consequences are supported by the information provided. instruction. Teaching/Learning Methods Lectures Discussion and Readings Critiques Software Tutorials -based Labs Required Resources Lynda.com online training package: defined by the instructor Rendering and Lighting Digital sets: http://www.3drender.com/challenges/index.htm Download Maya to personal computer or a minimum of 8 lab hours on campus a week 4 GB or larger portable file storage Pen or pencil and dedicated notebook Course References Digital Tutors Online training: http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/index.php The Gnomon Workshop online and downloadable training: http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/ Online community support in 3D Animation: http://www.cgsociety.org/ Attendance (College) and Lateness (Department) Policies: A class roster roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. Only two absences may be allowed. After two absences, a student may be withdrawn because of unsatisfactory attendance (code WU). Students arriving after the roll is taken will be marked late. Students may be notified at the earliest opportunity in class after they have been absent or late. After being absent two times or equivalent (2 lateness = 1 3
absence), a student may be asked to withdraw from the class (code W before the College drop deadline) or may be withdrawn from the class (code WU). Academic Integrity Standards: Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. Grading : 2% : 20% Set Driven Key/ Custom Controls Animation Assignment: % Graph Editor Tutorials: 10% 40% Topics WEEK Lecture Topic Laboratory Exercise Homework Assignment 1 Review Maya Interface & Basic Modeling Tools Image Planes Create 3D models with modeling tools 2 Intermediate Modeling Techniques: Curves, Surfaces, and Meshes making 3D models. 3 Intermediate Modeling Techniques: Curves, Surfaces, and Meshes making 3D models. 4 Turntable Animation of Models Create a turntable animation of a model. UV Texture Maps, Color, Bump, Specular, Normal and Transparency Maps Unwrap UVs Export to Photoshop to create texture maps 6 Lighting Techniques: for indoor / outdoor sets Create lighting rigs for digital sets 4
7 Rendering with Mental Ray Renderer Explore render techniques using Mental Ray 8 Review Basic Animation Techniques Intermediate Animation Techniques Practice using: keyframes, joint tool, hierarchy animation, motions paths, set driven key animation and custom controls Set Driven Key/ Custom Controls Animation Assignment 9 Using the Graph Editor for refining and generating animation using the Graph Editor Graph Editor Tutorials 10 Using the Graph Editor for refining and generating animation using the Graph Editor Storyboards 11 Animatics Render to Targa files for compositing in After Effects Practice processing renders and composting it in After Effects Animatics 12 Designing Digital Sets digital sets: modeling, lighting and animation Models & Textures 13 Using cameras to support narrative animation Using Maya s Sequencer for non-linear editing Explore camera tools and strategies for showing narrative in animation Animation 14 Lab Work on projects Render & Composite 1 Critique Final Films