Summer 2014: 3D AnimationProject requirements
OverviewAttendance required – people who do not come
to class tend to create not-very-good projects!
One assignment: a complete architectural scene Indoor or outdoor Complete Elegant
Due date: the final exam slot for the class
you will needautodesk maya: students.autodesk.com (free!)
a video editor
a sound editor
an image editor
The Video Make a one to three minute video rendered as avi, wmv, mov, or
mpeg4. Your video must be playable on Quicktime VLC http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html on a Mac, VLC on a Windows machine.
Make your video tell a story. Something begins, continues for a while, and then has an ending. There needs to be a point to why we are watching your video, something (however simple) must unfold.
There must be a complete environment, animation, and sound
Use at least 1240 by 960 pixels; anything smaller will not look good.
Use a high level of anti-aliasing.
Hand in A data (not a playable) DVD containing…
Your entire project folder, minus only the individual images you rendered for your video. These images should be the only think that makes your project folder big.
Your video – no larger than a gigabyte.
During the first 10 seconds of your video, display:
Intro to Animation, Summer 2014, Joe Cool
(except plug in your own name…)
Test your DVD to make sure it is readable!
You can also put your zipped up project and video on the web for me to download
Importing contentyou can import textures
You can use outside sound data for your soundtrack
You can use content from the Maya “Visor”But only for minor content, like grass or trees
The visor material cannot be what our eyes are drawn to – it can only be for secondary modeling and can take up only a very small part of your rendered frames
You cannot import modeling content from any other source than the visor
No importing of modeling done by any other individual; ALL modeling in the primary part of your scene must be your own
AdviceMake sure all the parts of your environment fit
together stylistically. This can be a problem if you use canned stuff from the Visor.
Don’t take on a project that is too large for you to finish completely.
Leave lots of time for rendering, and do test renderings along the way, to judge your render time needs.
We will work on the projects in class – so come
Primary goal: build an entire environment The two most important criteria are
Careful, deliberate modeling
Careful, clean application of materials and textures
Please do not mimic any proprietary content, such as a character or model from a movie or a video game.
Your modeling must be clean and elegant, and must contain a realistic level of detail.
For example, a living room with noting on tables or shelves looks unrealistic.
Use geometry for larger grained surface features. Avoid random modeling…!
Remember: detailed modeling and carefully applied textures and materials are what make your scene realistic!
Primary goal: build an entire environment, continued…
All your modeling must be done in Maya unless you talk to me – we are trying to learn Maya, not Blender or any other 3D app!
Carefully balance materials, lights, shadows, and reflective and transparent materials - to give your scene a deliberate, unique look.
ImportantFor your storyline
You need a modeling and story inspiration
Consider storyboards
resources47 intro videos on http://3dbybuzz.com
the ATLAS lab machines havemaya
premiere
final cut pro
Photoshop
Audition
The biggest stumbling block
Time for rendering your project!
Please keep in mind that a full, crisp rendering is required
Giving a scene a feeling
Lighting, shadows, materialsFog, transparency, length and sharpness of shadows
A moving camera can reveal a scene incrementally or make us dizzy
Skyline (perhaps with an environment material and light)
Pay particular attention to..
Building a model with materials and animation in mind
Use the Outliner!Name all your model components, materials, textures, cameras, lights, etc.
A model and movement that is the focus of the viewer’s attention and is engaging
Textures & materials
This makes or breaks a model
Budget time to do this rightNo ugly tilingNo wrap-around seamsNo uneven projections
Consider bump maps and layered materials
Overriding goals
Create a scene you can finish completely and elegantly
Try to create a scene and models that are compelling
Don’t compromise on materials/textures, modeling details, fleshing out the surrounding scene, or rendering your scenes they way they look best
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