FIT3001 Advanced 3D - Semester 1, 2013

This unit builds upon the skills, techniques and theory introduced in FIT1033 Foundations of 3D towards an emphasis on 3D character design and modelling for animation. Students will be introduced to advanced techniques for character detailing (modelling and texturing) and character animation (rigging, binding and animation). The theoretical and practical considerations contributing to the conceptualisation, creation and preparation of 3D characters for animation sequences will constitute a key focus of this unit.

Mode of Delivery

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload requirements

For on-campus students, workload commitments are:

• two-hour lecture and
• two-hour tutorial (requiring advance preparation)
• a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the research and assignment expectations.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

MMS3409

Prerequisites

FIT1033 or FIT2015

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

• an understanding of the paradigms behind the development and application of computer generated 3D characters;
• an understanding of the principles of 3D animation theory and implementation, including character specific studies;
• a theoretical understanding of established and emerging procedures for 3D character modelling, detailing and preparation for animation;
• developed attitudes that enable them to appreciate the theories and practices adopted for complex 3D topology, modelling and animation techniques, including production pipelines;
• developed the ability to evaluate and implement suitable processes for 3D character creation and animation;
• developed the skills to design, model and texture original and geometrically efficient 3D characters;
• developed the skills to prepare (rig and bind) 3D characters for animation;
• developed the skills to animate and render 3D characters and objects.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Teaching Approach

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Tutorial Test 1: Basic Character Modelling, Component Assemblage and Texturing

  Description:

  This test reviews the basics of assembling a character out of constituent parts.

  Weighting:

  10%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Modelling technique 
  • Assembly of geometry 
  • Basic texturing

  Due date:

  Week 4 Tutorial

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Assignment 1: Modelling and Texturing your Character

  Description:

  In Foundations of 3D, the final assignment involved the creation and basic texturing of an original game character. In the first assignment of Advanced 3D, we will be revisiting 3D character creation, though this time the emphasis is on the creation of a sophisticated, textured character model which will later be rigged (in Assignment 2) and animated (in Assignment 3).
  
  Character modelling, rigging and animation in this unit will focus upon articulated characters, that is, characters that are made up of movable parts rather than soft, flexible or fluid assemblages. Examples of articulated characters include, but are not limited to, robots, armoured figures, insects and crustaceans.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Modelling technique and geometry
  • UV texturing technique and detailing
  • Finished renders of your model
  • Visual and written documentation

  Due date:

  Week 5

• Assessment task 3

  Title:

  Tutorial Test 2: Character Rigging and Controllers

  Description:

  Your tutor will provide you with a sample articulated character. Your task is to rig this character (add an internal skeleton) and create animation controllers so that your character can be manipulated for animation.

  Weighting:

  10%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Rigging procedures and execution
  • Controller creation

  Due date:

  Week 8 Tutorial

• Assessment task 4

  Title:

  Assignment 2: Rigging, Binding and Preparing your Character for Animation

  Description:

  Using the character you have created in Assignment 1, this assignment requires you to implement a functional rig (internal skeleton) together with binding and controllers so that you can manipulate and animate your character.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Rigging 
  • IK Chains
  • Controllers
  • Visual and written documentation

  Due date:

  Week 9

• Assessment task 5

  Title:

  Tutorial Test 3: Character Animation

  Description:

  In this test, your tutor will provide you with a sample rigged character with controllers. You are required to manipulate this character and create keyframes to produce an animated timeline of 5-10 seconds.

  Weighting:

  10%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Character manipulation and keyframing
  • Animation timing, weighting, gestures and actions

  Due date:

  Week 12 Tutorial

• Assessment task 6

  Title:

  Assignment 3: Animating your Character and Rendering a 20 second Animation

  Description:

  This final assignment requires the animation of your character in a 20 second sequence. What will your character do in this 20 seconds? This is entirely up to you, but the animation you plan and assemble should attempt to express the personality of your character and demonstrate the graphic and technical detailing you have invested in it through the course of the previous assignments.

  Weighting:

  30%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Animation technique
  • Animation narrative 
  • Three key renders from your animation 
  • Visual and written documentation

  Due date:

  Week 14

Learning resources

Reading list

Textbooks for Autodesk Maya will be available in the library and the Caulfield campus bookstore:

Todd Palamar, Eric Keller "Mastering Autodesk Maya 2012", Wiley Publishing Inc ISBN: 978-0-470-91977-4

See also:

Dariush Derakhshani "Introducing Autodesk Maya 2012" Wiley Publishing Inc ISBN:978-0-470-90021-5

Although Autodesk Maya updates its software annually, the principles of character creation, texturing, rigging and animation remain the same in earlier versions stretching back some years. As such, textbooks on Maya published for earlier versions of Maya, especially in the last 4-5 years, will still be valid for the subjects which we are studying in this unit, and a number of earlier publications are listed here.

Maraffi, Chris, "Maya Character Creation", Pearson, 2004, ISBN: 0-7357-1344-8

Wilkins, Mark, "Mel Scripting for Maya Animators", Elsevier, 2005, ISBN: 0-12-088793-2

Petitot, Luc, "Maya Ultimate Workshop", Editions Eyrolles, 2003, ISBN: 0-07-142169-6

Ratner, Peter, "Mastering 3D Animation", 2nd Edition, Allworth Press, 2004, ISBN: 1-58115-345-7

Ratner, Peter, "3D Human Modeling and Animation", Wiley, 2003, ISBN: 0-471-21548-1

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Interviews
• Test results and feedback

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Required Resources

Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software will be provided on campus lab computers, and students are encouraged to register with the Autodesk Education Community for their own educational trial version of Autodesk® Maya® 2013 and related Autodesk software under the company's terms and conditions.

 Please see: http://students.autodesk.com/

Recommended text(s)

Todd Palamar, Eric Keller . (2012). Mastering Autodesk Maya 2012. () Wiley (ISBN: 978-0-470-91977-4).

Additional subject costs

Wooden articulated artist models, costing anywhere between $7 and $25 (depending on their size), are available at the Caulfield campus bookstore are at most art supply shops. These may be benefiical for students as animation and rigging references.

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Based on previous student feedback this unit is well structured. The only change being made this semester is the inclusion of tutorial tests (three tests of 10% each) preceding each of the three major assignments.

Other

Tutorials will begin in Week 1 and end in Week 12.

Arrangements will be made for the lecture and tutorials that fall on Anzac Day on Wednesday 25th April.