Instructor: Moshe Mahler (mmahler@andrew.cmu.edu)
office hours: bit.ly/mmahler
TA: Katie Tender (ktender@andrew.cmu.edu)
Emma Franklin (ewfrankl@andrew.cmu.edu)
Office hours: 1-3 PM in CFA 317
General Information
Time: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30 - 2:20
Location: BH 140F
Course Number: 60-125
Term: Spring 2020
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 to 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 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.
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.
Class Policy
Attendance: Tardy or absent days require permission from the instructor. More than 3 unexcused absences results in a lower letter 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.
Each assignment will build towards the final assignment.
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.
*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: piazza.com/cmu/spring2020/60125
Course Box**: https://cmu.box.com/s/mn03cgti7ncbb0mltjww1d58kph3erla
**you must use your CMU email to access the Box
office hours: bit.ly/mmahler
TA: Katie Tender (ktender@andrew.cmu.edu)
Emma Franklin (ewfrankl@andrew.cmu.edu)
Office hours: 1-3 PM in CFA 317
General Information
Time: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30 - 2:20
Location: BH 140F
Course Number: 60-125
Term: Spring 2020
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 to 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 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.
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.
Class Policy
Attendance: Tardy or absent days require permission from the instructor. More than 3 unexcused absences results in a lower letter 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.
Each assignment will build towards the final assignment.
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.
*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: piazza.com/cmu/spring2020/60125
Course Box**: https://cmu.box.com/s/mn03cgti7ncbb0mltjww1d58kph3erla
**you must use your CMU email to access the Box
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS NOTED IN BOLD
Week 1 - 2D Exploration, Concept art, and Character design
- Tuesday Jan 14: Introductions, Class Overview, General Pipeline Overview
- Thursday Jan 16: Intro. to Maya
Week 2 - Intro to Modeling
- Tuesday Jan 21: Box Modeling Demo (CHARACTER DESIGN DUE)
- Thursday Jan 23: Work Time
Week 3 - Digital Sculpture
- Tuesday Jan 28: ZBrush Demo -- digital sculpture workflows, dynamesh, anatomy
- Thursday Jan 30: Work Time
Week 4 - Refine Character Model
- Tuesday Feb 4: Refine Character Model -- remeshing and anatomy reinforcement
- Thursday Feb 6: Work Time
Week 5 - Recovery Week
- Tuesday Feb 11: Work Time
- Thursday, Feb 13: Work Time (FINAL MODEL DUE)
Week 6 - UV Mapping and Texturing
- Tuesday Feb 18: UV Mapping Demo
- Thursday Feb 20: Texture Application Demos -- ZBrush polypaint, Photoshop, Substance Painter
Week 7 - Materials, Lighting and Rendering 1
- Tuesday Feb 25: Materials Demo -- creating normal maps and bump maps
- Thursday Feb 27: Work Time
Week 8 - Materials, Lighting and Rendering 2
- Tuesday March 3: Lighting History Lecture -- secularities, global illumination, environment lighting, Arnold.
- Thursday March 5: Work Time (FINAL TEXTURED MODEL DUE)
Week 9 - Spring Break
Week 10 - Layout
- Tuesday March 17: Cinematography Lecture
- Thursday March 19: Work Time
Week 11 - Rigging 1
- Tuesday March 24: Skeleton and Control Creation Demo
- Thursday March 26: Weight Painting Demo
Week 12 - Rigging 2
- Tuesday March 31: IK and Reverse Foot Setup Demo
- Thursday April 2: Blendshapes Demo
Week 13- Rigging 3
- Tuesday April 7: Specific Rigging Demos and Work Time
- Thursday April 9: Work Time
Week 14 - Animation 1 (Subject To Change)
- Tuesday April 14: History of Animation Lecture -- style, from art to science
- Thursday April 16: NO CLASS (CARNIVAL)
Week 15 - Animation 2 (Subject To Change)
- Tuesday April 21: Vanilla Walk Demo -- simple locomotion and body mechanics
- Thursday April 23: Work Time
Week 16 - Animation 3 (Subject To Change)
- Tuesday April 28: Block, Spline, Polish Workflow Overview
- Thursday April 30: Work Time
Final Crit: TBA, (FINAL ANIMATION DUE)
