Description:

3D Digital Modeling and Animation II. Credit 3 hours. A study of 3D computer modeling and animation with an emphasis on modeling for gaming content creation or digital sculpture applications. Students will work with game engines and rapid prototyping technology to create 3D artworks. Six hours of studio a week. May be repeated for a total of six credit hours.

Prerequisite: Art 393

Course Goals and Objectives

• To teach Advanced 3D modeling and animation as an art form.
• To introduce critical theory as it relates to 3D modeling and animation.
• Students will learn the control of computer based modeling, lighting, texture mapping, and rendering.
• Students will learn narrative development and storyboarding skills.
• Students will learn the history of animation: stop-action, cell, roto-scoping.
• Students will learn to create movement in three-dimensional XYZ coordinate space.
• Students will learn the construction of primitive and complex forms and their environments.
• Students will learn various digital output formats and techniques.
• Students will learn to critically analyze computer-generated artworks through critique of their artworks and the artwork of others in both a verbal and written form.
• Students will learn to assess creative problems in 3-D scene construction and animation.
• Students will develop craftsmanship skills appropriate to the 3D modeling and animation art works.
• Students will learn to develop animations from concept to fully rendered animation.

Evaluation

• Students are evaluated regularly in one-on-one and in groups through critiques and on their ability to participate in the critiques.
• Students will address content, problem solving, craftsmanship, and creativity, during critiques.
• Students are evaluated by the instructor in a one-on-one review of works assigned for that review.
• Students are given a written evaluation of each assignment. The evaluation assesses the following items: concept, technique, problem solving, and challenging personal limits.
• Students are also evaluated as group at the end of each semester based on their digital art portfolio.

Note: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services, Student Union, Room 1304. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.

Note: The last day to resign from the University or withdraw from classes, without a grade penalty, is Friday, March 24, until 12:30 p.m.

Note: “Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of communication devices, or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as “crossing the civility line.” In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a communication device to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.” Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty member may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at http://www.selu.edu/admin/stu_affairs/handbook/.

Internet use During Instruction Time:
Internet access is provided to each computer in the New Media Lab. Students are encouraged to use the internet and world wide web as a resource, research tool and window into contemporary culture. However, students are not to spend time on personal Facebook or other social media sites, shop or otherwise surf the web during instructional time when it does not directly pertain to a New Media project. Students will not, under any circumstances, use the computers or internet connection to play games during instructional time. If you are observed partaking in these activities during instructional or independent work time you will receive a 50% reduction in grade for the current assignment.

No cell phones during class - check your messages during breaks.

Academic Integrity
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Behavior that
violates these standards is not acceptable. Examples are the use of unauthorized material,
communication with fellow students during an examination, attempting to benefit from the work of another student and similar behavior that defeats the intent of an examination or other class work. Cheating on examinations, plagiarism, improper acknowledgment of sources in essays and the use of a single essay or paper in more than one course without permission are considered very serious offenses and shall be grounds for disciplinary action as outlined in the current General Catalogue.

Facility Use Policy:
With this newly equipped facility, the Digital Arts Center is a state-of-the-Art complex. Students who enter and study within this environment are expected to treat its many electronic facets with complete respect. There will be no storage of projects on the hard drives of work stations. You will be instructed on the policies with regard to the proper storage procedures within each class. Each work station has been set-up for the needs of students within this center and there will be no altering of hard drives, systems, changes in font listings or software programs. If changes within these configurations are found, increased security will be implemented.

Visual Arts + Design Unit Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to be punctual and attend all classes. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each class period. A student’s presence in class has a direct impact on overall course evaluation. Lectures, critiques, and in-class assignments are formative in shaping a student’s participation grade and overall success in the course.

If a student is absent within the first 14 days of the semester he/she may be withdrawn by the instructor. The last day to withdraw from this course is Friday, March 24, until 12:30 p.m. Last day to withdraw or resign from classes Students must drop the class if they plan not to attend, otherwise the appropriate failing grade will be assigned at the end of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to make up any missed project, in-class assignment, or other information covered during class time.

Texts:
You wil lnot be required to purchase a textbook..

Supplies:

• USB Drive at least 500GB
• Misc. materials for sculptural assignment

Assignments:
In addition to the reading assignments you will have four imaging assignments. Most of the assignments will require that you make new images. Previous work can only be used with my approval. All assignments must be submitted onto the coursework server in the DAC. You are required to keep backup copies of all of your files which means you will need a USB drive to archive your work.

Evaluation (testing and grading):
Assignments - 60%
Work in progress Critiques/Participation in Critiques - 30%
Exams/Reading responses - 10%

Assignment grades will be based on the following criteria:

Evaluation (testing and grading):

• Assignments - 60%
• Work in progress Critiques/Participation in Critiques - 30%
• Exams/Reading responses/Class Participation- 10%

Artworks will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Concept 25%

• Complexity of subject matter
• Maturity of subject matter
• Appropriateness to audience

Technique 30%

• Modeling technique
• Texture and lighting technique
• Quality of graphics
• Composition/Timing

Problem Solving 25%

• Polygon count (fewer polygons the better for animation)
• Overcoming technical difficulties
• Utilizing resources

Challenging Personal Limits 20%

• Relative difficulty of project/concept
• Length/size of project/object
• Time management

Final Critique: Monday, May 08, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Project Requirements
Specific project requirements will be outlined as each project is assigned, however some guidelines will remain constant for all projects:

Critiques:
For every scheduled group critique students must present to the class their solution to the visual problem presented in class in a state of completion suitable for discussion. Work presented at critiques, and the students effective visual and oral presentation will be assigned a grade. Final submissions are then due on the server the Friday after critique by 4:00pm (or by a time specified by the instructor).

Submissions:
Student work must be submitted in digital file format ONLY (unless otherwise specified by instructor) to the appropriate section within Classwork/ART390 folder on the Digital Arts – Server. Students MUST make prior arrangements with instructor for submissions if they will be absent when a project is due and are responsible for arranging a critique and submission of work with the instructor.

Course Notes:
CourseNotes and other resource materials for this course can be found on the Coursework server in the DAC and on-line at <http://www.johnvalentino.com/Art393/393Notes.htm>. Please download a copy of the notes from the web site, and keep them on your USB Drive for future reference.

Computer applications and equipment
All software and equipment necessary for this course is available in the New Media and Animation studio. We will use Maya for 3D modeling and animation as well as After Effects for animation presentation.

Projects and Exercises

Students will be required to create a series of small and medium size digital 3D modeling/animation pieces. Assignments will cover the following three major forms: Modeling, Animation, Computer controlled milling. Possible assignment could include:

• Assignment 1 Modeling: Create a character that you will use for the rest of the semester
  
• Assignment 2 Rigging Rig your character
  
• Assignment 3: Animation. Animate yiour character

Exercises:

• Posing Digital Characters
• Animating Characters in Motion
• Creating Pose to Pose Animation
• Animating Walks
• Adding Character to a Walk
• Animating Runs
• Facial Animation and Dialogue
• Animating a Scene
• Creating Skeletons
• Inverse Kinematics (IK) and Constraints
• Rigging Characters
• Skinning Characters
• Facial Rigging
• Finalizing the Rig

Class Schedule: