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Cyprus International University
TR

3D ANIMATION

Course
VICD306 - 3D ANIMATION
Department
Visual Communication Design - English - Undergraduate
Course Type
Course
Status
Required
Language
English
Credit
4
ECTS
7
T+P+L
3 + 2 + 0
Course Coordinator(s)
-
Prerequisite
Keywords

Course Description

This course will teach students an overview of developing 3D animation from modelling to rendering. Students will learn the basics of surfacing, lighting, animation and modelling techniques and will explore volumetrics, and modifiers. The end of the semester, students will have created several short films, advertisements and public spots. 3D Animation is a film making technique by creating motion with picture frames coming one after another instead of using a recording technique. The course covers particularly the creation of animation using computers. Lessons consist of lectures and computer laboratory applications.

3D ANIMATION

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

No evaluation items have been defined.

Course outcomes

  1. 01 1.Examine(3) the 3D environment digitaly
  2. 02 2. Apply ( 3) the animation on 3D objects
  3. 03 3.Test (2) the 3D photoshop and Cinema 4D program
  4. 04 4. Combining (3) Animation with Video

Course Syllabus

Week Topic
Week 1 Introduction to 3D Animation (Definition, history, and application areas of 3D animation; introduction to the Blender interface and basic tools)
Week 2 Basic Modeling Techniques (Polygon‑modeling concepts, object creation, vertex/edge/face editing, extrude and bevel commands)
Week 3 Object Organization and Management (Using the Outliner, grouping, layer system, pivot adjustments, and scene management)
Week 4 Materials and Texturing (Shader concepts, basic material types—Blinn, Lambert, Arnold—introduction to UV mapping)
Week 5 Lighting Techniques (Primary light types in Maya, three‑point lighting, shadow settings, Arnold lights)
Week 6 Camera Usage and Scene Setup (Creating cameras, animated cameras, perspective settings, framing, and scene composition)
Week 7 Introduction to Animation Principles (Pose‑to‑pose animation, timing, squash & stretch, anticipation, easing in–out, and other fundamentals)
Week 8 Midterm Exam
Week 9 Rigging: Skeleton Creation (Joint systems, secondary motions, skin binding, basic character rigs)
Week 10 Character Animation I (Character walk cycle, posing, and motion analysis)
Week 11 Character Animation II (Dialogue animation, facial animation, blend shapes, and facial rigging)
Week 12 Particle Systems and Dynamics (nParticle and nCloth systems in Maya, physical interactions, and effects applications)
Week 13 Render Settings and Output (Arnold render engine, render parameters, exporting frame sequences, image formats)
Week 14 Final Project Preparation (Exercises toward students’ own short animation projects)
Week 15 Final Exam / Project Presentation

Reference Books & Course Materials

  1. 01 Andy Beane, 3D Animation Essentials
  2. 02 Chris Legaspi and 3dtotal Publishing, Anatomy for 3D Artists: The Essential Guide for CG Professionals 3dtotal Publishing, Fundamentals of Character Design: How to Create Engaging Characters for Illustration, Animation & Visual Development
  3. 03 Fundamentals of Character Design: How to Create Engaging Characters for Illustration, Animation & Visual Development, Cartoon Character Animation with Maya: Mastering the Art of Exaggerated Animation
  4. 04 https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-blog/ct-p/community-blog

Learning Outcomes

  1. L01 1.Examine(3) the 3D environment digitaly SOLO 3
  2. L02 2. Apply ( 3) the animation on 3D objects SOLO 3
  3. L03 3.Test (2) the 3D photoshop and Cinema 4D program SOLO 3
  4. L04 4. Combining (3) Animation with Video SOLO 3

Program Outcomes

  1. P01 have knowledge which is supported by up-to-date primary and secondary course books and application tools in the field of Visual Communication Design
  2. P02 have technical knowledge necessary for the field of Visual Communication Design
  3. P03 Have knowledge about universal human rights, social justice, quality management, environmental protection, and workplace health.
  4. P04 S/he visualises imagined things in a coherent structure
  5. P05 S/he defines the problems related to communication and finds possible solutions for these problems.
  6. P06 S/he has skills to manage a project/work related to Visual Communication Design independently.
  7. P07 S/he develops and applies projects and activities related with his/her social environment with an awareness of social responsibility.
  8. P08 S/he designates and manages the requirements and processes of learning.
  9. P09 S/he, equipped with advanced knowledge and skills in Visual Communication Design education, who interprets and evaluates data, identifies and analyses problems and finds solutions based on research and facts.
  10. P10 S/he can take responsibility as an individual and a team member in complex and unforeseen problems related to Visual Communication Design projects.
  11. P11 S/he plans, manages and finishes a media content under time restrictions.
  12. P12 S/he approaches advanced knowledge and skills from a critical perspective.
  13. P13 S/he is aware that the Visual Communication Design Department has close ties with new technological developments and also aware of the importance of pursuing these developments which have vital importance for creating new media content.
  14. P14 S/he is a person who informs and expresses thoughts for possible solutions related with Visual Communication Design contents prepared for related individuals and organisations.
  15. P15 S/he shares developments and data related to Visual Communication Design with specialists and non-specialists
  16. P16 S/he acts in Visual Communication Design projects in accordance with social, scientific, cultural and ethical norms.

Po-Lo Matrix

LO P01 P02 P03 P04 P05 P06 P07 P08 P09 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 Average
L01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0