| CODE | DGA3017 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Character and Simulated Animation | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Digital Arts | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will look at the creation of characters in a 3D virtual world. Students will be introduced to 3D character animation through a series of exercises designed to transfer the classical 2D animation principles onto the 3D platform. The unit will focus on modeling and rigging a 3D figure with special focus on body mechanics and physical action. More advanced concepts, such as acting and lip synching are also covered. Students will also be introduced to simulated animation techniques such as volumetrics, cloth, fluids, soft bodies and rigid bodies. During the study-unit, students will be required to work on a 30 second animation piece which will form part of their showreel portfolio. Study-unit Aims: - To equip students with the skill set required to model organic 3D characters; - To learn to set-up 3D animations rigs for 3D characters; - To develop the students鈥� 3D character animation skills; - To provide students with an understanding of simulation tools and knowledge on using these tools in a digital environment for animation purposes; - To teach how to combine simulated animation with linear animation; - To foster a culture of critical, self-reflection and peer evaluation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Become familiar with good 3D mesh topology and its influence on mesh deformations; - Define the function of rigging; - Understand how mesh deformations are weighted and controlled; - Become familiar with character animation processes; - Become familiar with the portrayal of the basic emotions, attitudes and movement in character animation; - Have knowledge of various simulation techniques; - Recognise the difference between animator driven animation and physics driven animation; - Describe the purpose of simulation for use in non-real-time animations; - Become familiar with the difference of surface vs volume shading methods. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Be conversant with character animation processes at a more advanced level; - Explain topology loops and flow in 3D meshes; - Demonstrate the ability to 3D model an organic character with good mesh topology; - Demonstrate the ability to rig their own 3D characters with good deformations; - Create characters which show basic emotions, attitudes and movements; - Set-up 3D simulations through the use of collision meshes and modification of physical properties in the simulation; - Demonstrate an ability to bake 3D simulations; - Combine linear animation with baked simulations. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Goldberg, E. (2008). Character Animation Crash Course!, Silman-James Press. - Wyatt, A. (2010). The Complete Digital Animation Course: The Principles, Practice and Techniques of Successful Digital Animation, Thames & Hudson. - Bancroft, T. (2006). Creating Characters with Personality: For Film, TV, Animation, Video Games, and Graphic Novels, Watson-Guptill. - Su, H. (2011). Alive Character Design: For Games, Animation and Film, CYPI Press. - Hooks, E. (2011). Acting for Animators, Routledge. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-unit: DGA2013 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Fabrizio Cali |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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