Prof. Michael O'Rourke

DDA 310, 3D Computer Animation

ASSIGNMENT #3

Due last session of the semester, Dec. 15

This open-ended assignment consists of developing a 10-20 second animation of your own design and choosing. You may develop any story or concept you want, and you may focus on any technical area(s) of 3D animation you want.  Your animation should include a soundtrack, should be rendered at full video resolution, and should be recorded to a playable video DVD. The only technical constraint for this assignment is that your animation must include some deforming object(s) in it somewhere.

The first step is to develop the concept and story. On the first week, bring to class the following:

• A 1-2 page written description of your project idea
• A preliminary storyboard.  This can consist of line-drawing sketches only – that is, it does not have to be full-color. Make sure you have enough panel drawings to clearly convey the action and the camera angles.  Test, and indicate, timing, so the total running time is realistic.  Provide either written descriptions of the soundtrack or a sample audio file.
• At least one detailed full-color drawing to show your rendering intentions.

Develop your animation, paying attention to all aspects – story, modeling, rendering, timing, expressiveness, sound,….

Render your final frames. Your final frames should be at full digital video resolution (720 x 486, 0.9 pixel aspect ratio). Use a video editing program to add your soundtrack. Use a DVD authoring program to create a playable video DVD of your animation with its soundtrack. Adding a menu to your DVD is optional.

On the due date, hand in to me a data DVD or CD containing a Maya project directory with all your relevant files, including scene files, texture image files, playblast movie files, and final movie file.  Make sure all files are named clearly so that I can find them easily.  Your final scene file must be called name_assign_final.mb .  If you have more than one final scene file, name them in some clear way – for example, name_assign_final_scene1.mb, etc. Also hand in your playable video DVD with your final recorded animation. Label all disks with your name written in indelible marker.

On the due date restore your files to the class machines so that we can look at and critique them in class.