DDA 624, 3D Computer Animation
Due the 10th session, Nov. 4
This assignment consists of creating, rendering, and recording a 10-15 second animation using the Andy Rig human character. Your character must begin sitting down, then stand up, then do something -- walk, scratch its head, jump, etc. What he/she does after standing is up to you. Your animation, though simple, should have some intellectual and/or emotional interest. Your animation should include a soundtrack. Your soundtrack may consist of music, sound effects and/or human vocalizations. Do not attempt to do lip-synch spoken language. (You can do that in the third assignment if you wish.)
Begin by videotaping live-action reference footage of the actions. Videotape several “takes” to see the differences in your actor’s movements from one take to another. Also videotape from both the side and front. Make sure you capture the audio as you videotape your reference footage.
Use the freeware "Andy" rig of John Doublestein. This is available online in various locations, including my Pratt website.
As you animate, pay special attention to weight. Try to convey what your character is feeling or thinking by means of its gestures and timing. Study your videotaped reference footage. Also, pantomime the actions of your character in front of a mirror.
As
you work, concentrate on the large-body motions first – the
overall body language. As this gets developed, start adding
more detailed motion – for example, hands or facial
expressions.
Set up lights and shaders. You may also apply an image-plane background image, if you wish.
As you work, make playblast movie files to test the motion. Save these movie files for our weekly review in class.
Use Maya’s software renderer to render full-color frames for your entire animation. The resolution of your frames can be 320 x 240, to speed up your rendering (that is, rather than the full-res video resolution). From your rendered frames, make a movie file. (You do not have to record your frames to video DVD yet.)
On the due date, hand in to me a CD or data DVD containing your a project folder and under it the standard Maya sub-folder. Include relevant scene files, playblast movie files, texture files, rendered frames, and final movie file. Make sure all files are named clearly so that I can find them easily. Your final scene file should be named yourname_assign2final.mb . Your final movie file should be named yourname_assign2final.mov (or ... .avi).
On the due date restore your files to the class machines so that we can look at and critique them in class.