ART/CSC/FST 320 - Computer Animation

Spring 2013: Homework #4

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 19, 2013 / Leave a comment

Using the flour-sack rig, or another rig of your choice, complete two of the exercises described in chapter 3 of the character animation: lift and either push or pull. Use the principles of animation to make interesting and believable timing and spacing as well as dynamic animation. Due Thursday, February 28.

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Spring 2013: A Sack of Flour

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 19, 2013 / Leave a comment

Here is a simple rig to practice some character animation. We’ll work with this a bit as we move into more advanced character animation and rigging. Take a few moments to try the rig and play a bit.

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Spring 2013: Watch From Pencils to Pixels and Discuss

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 19, 2013 / Leave a comment
As part of a class exercise today, watch this documentary. Join the “320 Forum” group on this site, and in the Pencils-to-Pixels topic discuss the documentary, things that interested you, and the following:
- How do commercial attitudes affect all types of animation as an art form?
- Are there abilities that 3D animation has that 2D does not? Vice-versa?
- How has 2D animation informed 3D animation?
- How could 3D animation better benefit from techniques learned through the development of 2D animation?
Next, read these Wikipedia overview entries on animation: The Golden Age of American Animation and History of Animation (also, particularly History of United States Animation). What names, films, devices, etc. do you recognize from our discussions and videos?
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Spring 2013: Character Animation Reading

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 14, 2013 / Leave a comment

Begin reading chapter 3 in your Character Animation text. We’ll begin simple character animations soon. Also, if you have not, yet, make sure to have read the first two chapters in both that text and the How to Cheat in Maya text.

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Spring 2013: Test Tuesday

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 14, 2013 / Leave a comment

As discussed this past week, there will be a test this Thursday (Feb. 21) covering the introductory material from the past few weeks. This will include techniques and principles for animation, narrative structure, visual storytelling, basic film grammar, etc. A full review guide is posted here to help you remember all that we have covered in class. Also, do not forget the notes (particularly on narrative and visual storytelling) on the resources page of this site. If you do not remember certain people (or concepts) from class or the documentaries, most of these will have ample information on Wikipedia and other websites to help you review. You may also find these Wikipedia overview entries on animation particularly interesting and useful: The Golden Age of American Animation and History of Animation (also, particularly History of United States Animation). [Although you have already studied some more recent history for 220, for this test, you do not need to study any of the history that we have not discussed in class or the documentaries for now -- such as foreign animation or animation more recent than the "Golden Age."] There will be a written part of the test and also an animation practicum where you will complete a short animation in Maya to submit. The test will count for two “quiz” grades.

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Spring 2013 Homework #3: More Practice with Principles of Animation

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ February 4, 2013 / Leave a comment

Complete chapter 2 in your “Character Animation” text. Also, read through chapters 1 and 2 in “How to Cheat in Maya.” From chapter 2 in the character animation text, complete one hand-drawn animation of a ball of your choice. Complete two additionally in Maya of different types, although one can be the same type of ball as your hand-drawn if you’d like. Make sure to pay attention to using the principles of animation to communicate a feeling of weight, reaction, etc. as well as create a dynamic and interesting animation. Due Tuesday, February 12.

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Spring 2013 Project #1: Story Development

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ January 22, 2013 / Leave a comment
Complete the following:
1. Create a web portfolio space of some kind to post media developed for this course and that could be used afterwards to show your work. You may create your own site using HTML, CSS, etc. and host it on your student web space or use some third party setup that could include hosts such as Carbonmade, Tumblr, etc.
2. Post the videos from your homework up to this point. (2D and 3D animation exercises).
3. Complete and submit your story pack, consisting of the following:
Due Thursday, Feb. 7 by class-time. Be prepared to present any aspects of your story.

Ideally, you should be able to read your logline/premise and then play your animatic and have it stand alone to tell your story! (Or at least with a little narration from you, if absolutely needed).
Then show your color key(s) to show your visual style/art direction/palette. That should be about it. (If you have to read your treatment or script or storyboard descriptions — you might not have done your job thoroughly).
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Spring 2013 Homework #2: Start Practicing Animation Principles

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ January 22, 2013 / Leave a comment

Look over your previous animations, think about discussions in class and the text, and animate a similar animation as to the first exercise. Try to communicate more dynamic movement with character. 1. Animate a “drawn” (no circle shape tools) ball bounce (with horizontal and vertical motion, at least 4 bounces — probably 40 frames or so) in 2D. (See your book for more practice and info). 2. Animate the same in 3D using Maya. 3. Brainstorm and generate a list of settings, characters, and character motivations. Choose at least three sets of these that would relate. Submit a text file containing three log lines based on these. Upload two movie files and a text file. [No Maya files needed, yet]. (Due Tues., Jan. 29).

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Spring 2013 Homework #1: Warm-up Animation

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ January 22, 2013 / Leave a comment

Complete one hand-drawn and one Maya ball-bounce animation. Upload your two Quicktime h.264 .mov 1280×720 files to Blackboard. No project files needed, yet.

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Spring 2013 Semester

Posted by Eric Patterson
/ January 22, 2013 / Leave a comment

Welcome to a new semester! I’m going to leave previous posts up and keep the blog going without starting anew. We’ll setup registrations, etc. soon.

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