Instructor: Moshe Mahler ([email protected])
Office hours: bit.ly/mmahler
TAs: Ryan Zhuochen Yuan (zhuochey@andrew.cmu.edu)
Office hours: Monday/ Thursday 3:00 - 4:00 PM (EST) via Zoom
https://cmu.zoom.us/j/4823900743
Jamie Tseng ([email protected])
Office hours: Monday-Friday 2:00 PM-3:00 PM (EST) via Zoom
Or schedule with me via email
https://cmu.zoom.us/j/5758342194
General Information
Time: Monday to Friday 12:30PM to 01:50PM (EST)
Location: Zoom
Course Number: 60-125
Term: Summer 2023
Class Overview
This class will explore computer animation as it pertains to a professional animation production pipeline. The course is designed to give students exposure to key job descriptions that align with the animation industry. Topics covered include: character design, world-building, storyboarding, digital sculpture, look development, rigging, layout, animation, cinematography, lighting, and rendering. These topics are taught in 2-4 week sprints that allow a student to learn the fundamentals of each craft. In a mixture of class lectures, critiques, and training workshops, students will become acquainted with the necessary skills needed to create their own characters and animations. By the completion of the course, students will be familiar with industry-standard best practices and ready to take advanced courses related to animation, vfx, and video game related pipelines. This course specifically offers insight on how the craft of animation is always evolving at top studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Industrial Light and Magic.
Learning Objectives
This course offers students a practical introduction to the principles of animation. Students will explore craft and workflow of 3D computer animation production, gaining hands-on experience in the fundamentals. Students will develop foundational skill sets across a wide variety of processes, including basics in modeling, retopologizing, UV mapping and texturing, rigging, animation, look development, lighting, and rendering.
Upon completion of the course, students will understand how animated films are made and demonstrate ability to create their own character driven animations. Students will exhibit knowledge of production techniques and processes; ability to effectively utilize software in the creation of computer animation; awareness of various computer animation industry standards; ability to critically assess production practices; and preparation to pursue intermediate and advanced level classes in topics such as Technical Character Animation or Character Rigging for Production.
Class Policy
Attendance: Tardy or absent days require permission from the instructor. Class attendance and participation are important parts of the learning in this course. To account for this, a portion of the final grade is based on your regular attendance and active participation (see grading section). That said, I also recognize that students may need to miss class for a variety of reasons (religious observance, job interview, university-sanctioned event, or illness). For that reason, all students are permitted two class absences without any impact on the final grade.
The School of Art recognizes the diversity of racial identities, religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities that is fundamental to our culture. All classes and studios in the School of Art are safe spaces for self-identification, self-expression, and inclusivity.
Grading
Grades will be determined from the overall quality of the assignments, student professionalism, dedication/willingness to learn, ability to meet deadlines, participation, and the quality of the final assignment. A letter grade will be given at the mid semester and end of semester.
Assignments: Full assignments will be posted under the assignments tab of this website. See for more details and submission guidelines. Shorter descriptions are also posted in the syllabus schedule below.
Participation: It is important for everyone to participate during class discussions and ask questions whenever needed. Participation is part of the overall grading, and students are expected to focus on the topic at hand instead of on the internet or texting.
Late work: Assignments are given on a weekly basis and are due the night before each class at 11:59 pm. Late submission of an assignment will be noted and result in the loss of a point for each day the assignment is late. Consideration will be given to waive this penalty if a student receives permission from the instructor before the assignment is due.
*Plagiarism/Copying work from others will result in an automatic failing grade for the course
Important Links (Please bookmark)
Course Webpage: cmuanimation.weebly.com
Course Piazza: https://piazza.com/cmu/summer2023/60125
Course Box**: https://cmu.box.com/s/g5fjlpmy9khbop0kdhfxqx3yugp3eh9h
Zoom link: https://cmu.zoom.us/j/6122233383
**you must use your CMU email to access the Box
Student wellness:
As a student, you may experience a range of challenges that can interfere with learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, substance abuse, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may diminish your academic performance and/or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. CMU services are available. You can learn more about confidential mental health services available on campus at: http://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Support is always available (24/7) from Counseling and Psychological Services: 412-268-2922.
Academic Integrity and Collaboration:
This course asks you to think and produce creatively, and output should be your own. Plagiarism is serious and can lead to disciplinary action, so please respect yourself and your peers by ensuring that your work is your own original creation. Plagiarism/Copying work from others will result in an automatic failing grade for the course.
Assessment Structure
There is an assignment for each week for a total of 15 assignments. Each assignment will build towards the final assignment.
Mid Semester Project 25%
Final Project 50%
Participation 25%
The purpose of class projects is to introduce fundamental techniques and conceptual parameters for making creative work with animation tools. Each individual project will build towards a final project. Projects are opportunities for exploration of concept and craft through innovative and idiomatic means. Projects will be evaluated according to the following considerations:
‣ Creative Inquiry — thoughtful research and consideration of conceptual prompts that guides and informs creative production.
‣ Execution — purposeful craft with care, attention to detail, and the incorporation of class lessons into the project.
‣ Resourcefulness — an ability to identify problems and effectively seek solutions beyond the convenient and readymade.
‣ Resilience — forging through challenges to identify and arrive at creative solutions. Learning from experience and not hesitating to redo work.
‣ Inventiveness — innovative approaches and unique methodologies that challenge or extend existing paradigms beyond the obvious.
‣ Fulfillment — meeting all project criteria (providing requested supporting materials, submission specifications, properly naming/ labeling work, etc.)
Projects will be submitted on the class learning management system (Box) and will be graded on a 0-5 point scale:
0 — No credit, no work submitted.
1 — Incomplete work, or work that demonstrates considerable lack of effort and poor execution; late work, submitted two sessions after initial due date or later.
2 — Below average execution and problem-solving, lacking in multiple areas of evaluation.
3 — Satisfactory; meets basic requirements for all evaluation areas, demonstrating average approaches in the execution of form and content.
4 — Above average; this grade typically represents a good concept with excellent formal execution, or an excellent concept with a good formal execution.
5 — Exceptional work in both concept and form; exceeds standards in all evaluation areas
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS NOTED IN Italic
Assignments are due at 11:59 pm of the due date.
Week 1 - Intro to animation pipeline and Maya
Week 2 - Intro to scultping, topology and anatomy
Week 3 - LookDev
Week 5 - Intro to Animation
Final Project Submission : July 2
Student wellness:
As a student, you may experience a range of challenges that can interfere with learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, substance abuse, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may diminish your academic performance and/or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. CMU services are available. You can learn more about confidential mental health services available on campus at: http://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Support is always available (24/7) from Counseling and Psychological Services: 412-268-2922.
Academic Integrity and Collaboration:
This course asks you to think and produce creatively, and output should be your own. Plagiarism is serious and can lead to disciplinary action, so please respect yourself and your peers by ensuring that your work is your own original creation. Plagiarism/Copying work from others will result in an automatic failing grade for the course.
Assessment Structure
There is an assignment for each week for a total of 15 assignments. Each assignment will build towards the final assignment.
Mid Semester Project 25%
Final Project 50%
Participation 25%
The purpose of class projects is to introduce fundamental techniques and conceptual parameters for making creative work with animation tools. Each individual project will build towards a final project. Projects are opportunities for exploration of concept and craft through innovative and idiomatic means. Projects will be evaluated according to the following considerations:
‣ Creative Inquiry — thoughtful research and consideration of conceptual prompts that guides and informs creative production.
‣ Execution — purposeful craft with care, attention to detail, and the incorporation of class lessons into the project.
‣ Resourcefulness — an ability to identify problems and effectively seek solutions beyond the convenient and readymade.
‣ Resilience — forging through challenges to identify and arrive at creative solutions. Learning from experience and not hesitating to redo work.
‣ Inventiveness — innovative approaches and unique methodologies that challenge or extend existing paradigms beyond the obvious.
‣ Fulfillment — meeting all project criteria (providing requested supporting materials, submission specifications, properly naming/ labeling work, etc.)
Projects will be submitted on the class learning management system (Box) and will be graded on a 0-5 point scale:
0 — No credit, no work submitted.
1 — Incomplete work, or work that demonstrates considerable lack of effort and poor execution; late work, submitted two sessions after initial due date or later.
2 — Below average execution and problem-solving, lacking in multiple areas of evaluation.
3 — Satisfactory; meets basic requirements for all evaluation areas, demonstrating average approaches in the execution of form and content.
4 — Above average; this grade typically represents a good concept with excellent formal execution, or an excellent concept with a good formal execution.
5 — Exceptional work in both concept and form; exceeds standards in all evaluation areas
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS NOTED IN Italic
Assignments are due at 11:59 pm of the due date.
Week 1 - Intro to animation pipeline and Maya
- Monday May 15: Pipeline and Animation Paradigms Lecture
- Assignment: Intro to Maya Tutorials & Make a simple model in Maya and post the .mb to Box
- Due - May 17
- Assignment: Intro to Maya Tutorials & Make a simple model in Maya and post the .mb to Box
- Tuesday May 16: Maya Experimentation and Workday
- Wednesday May 17: World Building and Character Design Lecture
- Assignment: World Building and Character Worksheet
- Due - May 22
- Assignment: World Building and Character Worksheet
- Thursday May 18: Box Modeling and Topology
- Assignment: Model two objects in Maya: something organic, a hard surface model, and something (prop, bust, etc) that has to do with your character (choose 2)
- Due - May 22
- Assignment: Model two objects in Maya: something organic, a hard surface model, and something (prop, bust, etc) that has to do with your character (choose 2)
- Friday May 19: Work on Box Modeling Assignment
Week 2 - Intro to scultping, topology and anatomy
- Monday May 22: ZBrush & Digital Sculpture
- Assignment: Sculpt one object in ZBrush
- Due - May 25
- Assignment: Sculpt one object in ZBrush
- Tuesday May 23: ZBrush work session and character reviews & feedback
- Wednesday May 24: Character modeling work session
- Thursday May 25: Remeshing, Topology and Anatomy
- Assignment: Rough out the model of your character
- Due - May 30
- Assignment: Rough out the model of your character
- Friday May 26: Character modeling work session
Week 3 - LookDev
- Monday May 29: Memorial Day
- Tuesday May 30: UV Mapping
- Assignment: Finishing Modeling, UV mapping
- Due - June 5
- Assignment: Finishing Modeling, UV mapping
- Wednesday May 31: Character Production Work Session & Model Review Session with Mo, Jamie, or Ryan
- Thursday June 1: Character Production Work Session & Model Review Session with Mo, Jamie, or Ryan
- Friday June 2:Character Production Work Session & Model Review Session with Mo, Jamie, or Ryan
- Monday June 5: What is LookDev and Texture
- Tuesday June 6: Rendering, Lighting, and Materials & Character Production Work Time & Model Review Session with Mo, Jamie, or Ryan
- Assignment: Create textures and set up lighting for you character
- Due - June 9
- Assignment: Create textures and set up lighting for you character
- Wednesday June 7: Layout and Storyboarding
- Assignment: Storyboard your final project
- Due - June 12
- Assignment: Storyboard your final project
- Thursday June 8: Rigging 1 - Skeleton and Control Creation Demo
- Friday June 9: Rigging 2 - Weight Painting
Week 5 - Intro to Animation
- Monday June 12: Rigging work session
- Tuesday June 13: Rigging 3 - IK and Foot setup
- Assignment: Complete your rig
- Due - June 16
- Assignment: Complete your rig
- Wednesday June 14: Rigging 4 - Blendshapes
- Thursday June 15: Rigging work session
- Friday June 16: Animation 1 - Ball Bounce
- Assignment: Animate a Ball Bounce and Upload a playblast to Box
- Due - June 20
- Assignment: Animate a Ball Bounce and Upload a playblast to Box
- Monday June 19: Juneteenth
- Tuesday June 20: Animation 2 - Block, Spline Polish Work Flow
- Wednesday June 21: Rendering & Image Sequences Review
- Thursday June 22: Production work session
- Friday June 23: Production work session
Final Project Submission : July 2