20 Credit Modules

Module title:	Intermediate 3D Design
SCQF level:	09:
SCQF credit value:	20.00
ECTS credit value:	10
Module code:	IMD09103
Module leader:	DR GREGORY LEPLATRE
School	Computing
Subject area group:	Digital Media and Interactive Design

Prerequisites

Module code Introduction to 3D Design
Module title IMD08103
Examples of equivalent learning

Timetables

Click here to view the trimester 2 teaching timetable

Click here to view the trimester 3 teaching timetable

2012/3, Trimester 2, Face-to-Face, Napier University

Occurrence:	001
Primary mode of delivery:	Face-to-Face
Location of delivery:	NAPIER
Member of staff responsible for delivering module:	DR GREGORY LEPLATRE
Module Organiser:

Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:

Learning & teaching methods including their alignment to LOs
Week by week students will develop a number of courseworks to build a portfolio. There is also a final project piece of work which focuses on developing a 3D animation to produce a cartoon styled animation which demonstrates mastery of all the learning outcomes.

Embedding of employability/ PDP/ scholarship skills
The module focuses on the key skills required to creatively produce quality 3D animations using an industry standard package. These skills will contribute directly to the employability of the student in the industry. On completion of this module, students will be able to add a quality piece to their portfolio/showreel.

Assessment (formative and summative)
The learning outcomes are assessed by assignments produced throughout the semester, focusing on individual learning outcomes, and a piece of coursework in which all the learning outcomes are assessed in a single project.
Formative feedback will be given to students weekly during labs.

Research/ teaching linkages
This is a predominantly practice-based module. The emphasis will be on up-to-date 3D development practices. References to latest developments in the industry will be made as appropriate.

Supporting equality and diversity
The practice of 3D design is visually intense and requires two-handed interactions with the keyboard and mouse. Although we do our utmost to accommodate the needs of every student, students are advised to contact us if they have any query regarding accessibility issues for this module.

Internationalisation
3D Animation is an international practice and remarkable work is produced all over the world. Example work by animators from various countries is used in this module.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activity	Learning & Teaching Activity	NESH (Study Hours)
FACE TO FACE	Lecture	24
FACE TO FACE	Practical / Labs	24
ONLINE	Individual Learning Activities	60
Independent Learning	Individual Learning Activities	92
	Total Study Hours	200
	Expected Total Study Hours for Module	200

Assessment
Type of Assessment	Weighting %	LOs covered	Week due	Length in Hours/Words
Portfolio	30	ALL	13	HOURS= 50
Project	70	ALL	13	HOURS= 50
Component 1 subtotal:	100
Component 2 subtotal:	0
Module subtotal:	100

What you will learn and what this module is about:

In this module, you will learn how to produce a cartoon-style 3D animation. This module assumes knowledge of the fundamentals of 3D modeling, shading, texturing and lighting. These skills will be taken further in this module in the context of the production of a short 3D movie, from start to finish. In addition, you will learn a new set of skills, from rigging to animation and the creation of dynamic special effects.

Description of module content:

Pre-production
Sketching, storyboarding
Storytelling
Storyboarding
Intermediate modelling
Toon-orientated modelling
Modelling for animation
Texturing
UV mapping for characters
Texture painting and use of photographic materials
Creation of bump, displacement, specular maps
Rigging/skinning
Character and creature rigging
Animator friendly character controls
Skinning
Blendshapes
Animation
Principles of animation
Basics of animation using keyframing (squash/stretch, etc)
Walk cycle
Fundamentals of body mechanics
Camera
Fundamentals of camera movements
Rendering and post-production
Multi-pass rendering
Compositing

Learning Outcomes for module:

On completion of this module, students will be able to
LO1: Design and document a short cartoon styled 3D animation.
LO2: Model and rig and texture characters that can be easily animated.
LO3: Recognise and apply the basic principles of animation and apply them effectively.
LO4: Produce animatics and animations strategically using appropriate rendering and compositing techniques, in accordance with the time/technical constraints of the project.

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

T1: Maestri G (2006) Digital Character Animation (No 3), New Riders
T2: Osipa J (2007) Stop Staring: Facial Modeling And Animation Done Right (2nd Ed), John Wiley & Sons
T3: Roberts, S (2007) Character Animation: 2D skills for Better 3D (2nd Ed), Focul Press
T4: Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: The Modeling & Animation Handbook, by Autodesk Maya Press.

Click here to view this module's reading list.

Related information

Modules