3D Modeling, Animation

This course is an intensive introduction to the complexities of the 3D application. The first portion of the class focuses on the tools in Maya. Students will learn how to work in 3D through projects that introduce modelling in both NURBS and polygons. Students will then cover simple unwrapping procedures while learning about the complexities of UVs and lighting tools.

This course is dedicated in large part to drawing and representing the skeletal structure and musculature of the human body. Students will learn the anatomical names of the skeletal elements, landmarks, and muscle groups. Students will learn how to draw the structures of the human skeleton and then add the surface muscle groups and features appropriate to the skeletal sub-structure. The course will also explore the differences in the portrayal of male and female musculoskeletal features. Students will also be introduced to the drawing of animal forms and basic animal surface coverings.

This course explores the design and production of characters for the animation and video game industry. Students will learn the principles of good character design, from research to final detailing, while focusing on character development, style, and personality. Students will apply principles and techniques of design and anatomy to achieve expressive, well-developed, appealing characters. By the end of this course, students should be able to work with a variety of styles, archetypes, and body structures to construct their characters.

Students will learn how to plan for and create clear, concise industry-standard storyboards by exploring the elements of a final production storyboard, including a 30-second commercial, a television show, a cinematic for computer games, and a feature film. Topics will include conceptual development, pitches, concept and production boards, thumbnail sketches, design, character staging, model sheets, art direction, background (layout) design, and camera positioning.

This course explores the design and development of 3D environmental modeling by observing real-world environments and translating these observations into production. Students will also learn to consider design and structure in the staging and environmental mood. Topical coverage includes interior and exterior environment design, creating illusions of depth, matte painting (fundamentals), camera action and displacement props, effects, and strategies for creating mood and atmosphere.

This course builds on the material delivered in Life Drawing II and continues strengthening the student’s knowledge of the human form. Students will work with life drawing samples and reference material to add appeal and strengthen their own personal style. Time will be spent both in class and during the student’s own time researching and developing these techniques. Props, drapery, and clothing will be introduced to the students. In the final weeks of this class, students will learn how to work with real world observations to strengthen their ability to develop concepts. Life Drawing III will also introduce additional digital and traditional creative methods that will give the students the tools to develop a life drawing portfolio for future classes and graduation.

The key focus of this course is being able to think like a character modeler following professional design methods— simple characters will be lit, unwrapped and textured to ensure that existing designs are accurate. For efficiency, students are assigned pre-determined assignments.

Building on skills and techniques learned in Maya I, this course will introduce students to intermediate 3D animation techniques. Students will create movement in a 3D character they will have previously developed. Topical coverage will include keyframing, modifiers, basic morphing techniques and linear and non-linear animation.

This course explores the process of preparing the setup of a character model for advanced animation. The course will take the students through the steps of character modeling and animation, with a focus on the rigging of the characters. Students will learn how to prepare and set up character rigs, bind structures to geometry, and work with meshes and armature. Students will learn how to rig facial expressions and lip movement and how to rig and animate armature. Topical coverage includes joint orientation, preparing skeletons, rigs, inverse kinematics, facial rigging, armature, binding structures to geometry, and meshes.

This advanced studio course explores the design and development of 3D environmental modeling and design. Students will work with a developed concept and follow the required specifications to develop professional environments and then translate their research into producing dynamic environments. Students will also learn to consider staging, atmosphere and environmental mood to enhance the professional look of the environment. Topical coverage includes effective advanced environment design, composition, matte painting (fundamentals) action and strategies for creating a professional demo presentation. The final goal of this course is to explore environmental demo reel options.

This course teaches introductory sculpture for modellers and animators. In this course, students will transfer their knowledge of anatomy, drawing of anatomical features, and character design, in developing a 3-dimensional sculpture. This course explores the materials, tools, and industry production techniques used in producing sculptures called ‘maquettes. Maquettes are used any time a studio (game, visual effects, 2D/3D feature films) wants to visualize a character in 360 degrees. A new character will be designed, with a strong line of action in the final pose. Students will also learn how to use sculpting tools effectively when using ‘Super Sculpey’, create clothes for their character, body, and facial sculpting, and build an armature to support the sculpture. The result will be a finished painted ‘maquette’ of their own design.

This course explores advanced designs and the human anatomy of male and female character models. Students will work with the available tools to add realism to these designs by developing low poly models that are well-built and dynamic. Students will work with predesigned characters and real-life reference material to ensure the models are proportioned and have proper anatomy.

This course focuses on acting and intermediate animation techniques students will improve their skills from term one and push their timing, anticipation, follow-through secondary action and cycles. Students will use live references to enhance their animation, both technical and acting techniques, and prepare for advanced animation and portfolio development.

This course addresses the creation of multilayer and high-resolution textures for environments, environmental and character models. It also seeks to provide students with various production contexts, such as texturing characters' faces for film and games, developing environment textures for next-gen game environments, and an in-depth look at various direct lighting tools and controls available when lighting 3D assets.

In this advanced character modeling class, students will develop high poly models working between Maya and Zbrush, focusing on digital sculpting and texturing. Students will learn the interface and tools in Zbrush while designing and modeling their characters and the industry approach to developing character models to assess if this is the creative direction they would like to explore for their portfolios.

This course focuses on teaching required programming fundamentals of Python and MEL for Maya. Knowledge in these languages will assist students in the practice of writing custom expressions and scripts for the purpose of creating toolsets, expression applications, problem solving, visualization, design, process methodologies, data organization and much more within current industry production pipelines.

This course explores production and rendering techniques for the purpose of showcasing scenes in a professional manner, be it animated sequences, turntables, look development scenes, moving cameras through a 3D environment or any other visual products that can be made with a physically based renderer. This course will examine what samples are, what path tracing is, what a linear workflow is and why it is important. After understanding 3D render theory, students will be able to draw a connection between render quality and render time and learn to optimize for both.

Students will work with advanced Maya tools to develop aesthetically pleasing environments and characters for game engine use and to create normal maps in both Maya and Photoshop that present and blend colour aesthetically. Advanced lighting techniques and the preparation process for rending 3D content to video are also introduced.

Portfolio I is a conceptualizing and planning course for the development of the final student demo reel and portfolio. Students will discuss, create a plan, and consider their individual options while developing designs and storyboards. The development of two pre-visual animatics will be completed along with a production proposal focusing on design, colour, and composition. Time will be spent considering the timing of the final presentation and the overall aesthetic. Students will also consider a final presentation with all elements such as technical information and traditional design work. Students will develop a production schedule and build targets and deadlines that will be followed though to graduation. Peer reviews and discussions on planning and presentations will be part of this course.

This course focuses on the video presentation aspects of the final demo reel. Students will work with compositing and editing tools to add the final touches to their presentations. The first six sessions of the course will focus on small projects that will help the student understand the complexities and tools of compositing and editing. The final 6 sessions will be the creation of the final edit with the assistance of the Portfolio and Compositing and Editing instructors. Students will work primarily with After Effects and Premiere.

Students will explore the basics of digital effects animation and work with particles and effects tools with Maya. Students will work with digital tools to develop simple, dynamic animations while considering effects elements to add life and atmosphere to their reels. Students will cover the basic forces and elements such as fire and water and discuss lighting, mood, and atmosphere created by these effects. Timing, physics, and design will be key components to ensure that the effects developed in this class will have a natural look and are believable.

This course takes the students beyond light sources and shadows and explores lighting and texturing as an art. Students will learn to select the appropriate light type for a particular situation, Raytracing, 3D textures and projections, 2D and 3D material textures, lighting colour and composition, Maya light types, high-quality shadows and effects, advanced lighting/texturing skills and techniques, and how to apply them to their final modeling and animation projects.

The emphasis of this course is to prepare students for graduation and final portfolio development. Time will be spent developing a final demo reel to showcase the strengths and talents of each student in a branded visually appealing presentation. Students will have the option to develop a demo reel that focuses on their interests and skills within the 3D industry. Time will be spent focusing on content that showcases primary skills such as animation or modeling. There will also be an opportunity to plan and showcase secondary abilities to increase the potential opportunity of employment. Planning and production pipelines will be followed, and deadlines will be achieved. Students will be critical of their work and change their artistic material if necessary. This course will work in conjunction with Portfolio I, compositing and editing, effects animation, and lighting and texturing. Students will be expected to present their content and participate in class activities with respect to graduation and course material.