Advanced Modelling and Character Animation
30 Credits
Module code: COMP1473
Level: 6
Credits: 30
School: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department: Computing and Mathematical Sci.
Module Coordinator(s): Martyn Broadhead
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Pre and co requisites
COMP1289 - 3D Modelling
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Aims
This course aims to provide students with a chance to identify an area of the animation industry they would like/want to work in, and develop a showreel of work to help them into their chosen industry. To achieve this, examples will be shown of other projects (professional and student) to help identify the areas of work that currently exist. This will range from games modelling and animation through to motion capture.
Key areas of focus include:
Use of advanced techniques (especially those employed in industry) to develop character modelling and/or animation skills;
To provide an advanced and comprehensive understanding of modelling;
To develop the student's use of modelling techniques related to character development and design;
To highlight and discuss current trends in the animation industries;
Use digitising techniques to aid the development of 3D models;
Discuss and evaluate animation styles to communicate intended meaning;
Understand and work through the motion capture process in detail, from basics such as aligning markers, to more advanced techniques such as cleaning data in software.
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Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course a student will be able to:
Appraise a variety of modelling and/or animation methods
Compose pre-production materials that are focused on a specific area of the animation industry
Construct modelling, animation and the development of ideas through the creation of a product
Research, critically evaluate and apply advanced character modelling techniques and methods.
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Indicative Content
This course will cover a range of subject areas, including but not limited to:
Investigation of appropriate 3D Animation programs (e.g. 3D Studio Max, Maya);
Effective character design methods;
Advanced features of the NURBS and SPLINE editing systems;
Use of software to create a short animation (on time and meeting specified requirements);
Animation futures and trends - using critical techniques;
Motion capture and digitising theory and practice;
Group work and collaboration;
Lectures/demonstrations to highlight techniques used in industry.
Employability
• Cognitive Skills
On this course, students will be solving problems working on their second and third coursework, overcoming challenges in creating the products they propose. They will then evaluate the process, skills learnt and the final product.
• Generic Competencies
The first Coursework will require students to write an academic report, researching an area within the advanced modelling and character animation domain and present their findings in a comprehensive written piece of academic writing with correct formatting and Harvard referencing.
• Personal Capabilities
As part of this course, there are outside speaker and guest lecturers from the industry who will be introducing the students to opportunities. The course is also run as a studio which will provide the student with the opportunity to write proposals, with cost and time estimates.
• Technical Ability
As part of this course, the students will work on specialising in a cutting edge area of Modelling and Animation that would form the basis for their future careers.
• Organisational Awareness
The course would focus on how various techniques are used across different sectors and what are the current trends in each of these.
• Practical and Professional Elements
Student will reflect on the progress and the skills and knowledge gained through the course and how these will help them with employability and competitiveness in the job market.
Teaching and learning activity
The learning and teaching activities will be a mixture of theoretical and practical aspects each week. Lecturers will cover theories related to modelling and animation processes/techniques. Some lectures will include discussions and idea generating sessions. Extensive examples will be shown, and critically assessed by students. Demonstrations will take place in lectures where student will be expected to take notes and apply the skills in tutorial sessions. Students are expected to contextualise information presented in lectures into their own work (methods and techniques). Material will be introduced in lectures and practised in tutorial and laboratories.
Alongside the formal contact hours students will have extra resource in the form of electronic recording of teaching materials (such as some lectures), and feedback and support from the teaching team over a range of communication routes (including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, email).
Assessment
Method of summative assessment: Portfolio
Outcomes assessed:1-4
Grading Mode (e.g. pass/ fail; %): %
Weighting % :40%
Passmark: 40%
Word Length: n/a
Outline Details:Independent Learning Plan, containing a proposal (pre-production work and research) for an element of animation with an investigation and examples of various methods for creating the identified element. It should include a research and evaluative section on the topic
Method of summative assessment: Product Output
Outcomes assessed:3,4
Grading Mode (e.g. pass/ fail; %): %
Weighting % :60%
Passmark: 40%
Word Length: 1500
Outline Details:Creation of a product related to 3D Animation, based on the work completed for Coursework 2, including an evaluation.
Nature of FORMATIVE assessment supporting student learning:
Demonstrations of lecture and lab content applied to prototypes with critical feedback from peers and lecturers.
Weekly lab tasks with verbal feedback