RTD 487 3D Animation I
2:00-4:50pm Tue
Digital Media Arts + Animation specialization - DMAA
Professor David R. Burns
drburns@siu.edu
Office Hrs: Tue 12:30-2pm, 4:50-5:35pm; Wed 10:30am-12pm, 2:50-5:05pm
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Course Objectives:
Students will gain a solid foundation in creating 3D computer graphics using industry-standard computer
software and hardware. Through analysis and practice, students will develop an understanding of the
principles of 3D modeling, lighting, texturing and rendering. Conceptual design and professional practices
will also be addressed. Skills learned in this course will prepare students for the 3D Animation II class.
Teaching Strategies:
Lectures, homework and final projects will serve as the framework for developing problem solving and
creative skills. A major component of this course will be the execution of a final project utilizing the
creative, conceptual and technical skills explored in class.
Grading Policy:
Homework:
Midterm critique and process books (digital and analogue):
Final project critique and process books (digital and analogue):
Late work will not be considered.
Midterm Critique:
For the midterm critique, students are expected to develop and pitch a concept for their final project.
Final Projects:
Final projects will be presented to the class for critique at the end of the semester as 10-12 digitally
projected stills along with process books.
Recommended Texts:
Introducing Autodesk Maya 2015 by Derakhshani
Digital Lighting & Rendering by Jeremy Birn
Digital Texturing & Painting by Owen Demers
Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls by Chris Maraffi
The Animator's Survival Kit--Revised Edition by Richard Williams
The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Imaging by I. Kerlow
20%
25%
55%
ISBN: 9781118862841
ISBN: 1562059548
ISBN: 0735709181
ISBN: 0735713448
ISBN: 0571238343
ISBN: 047136004X
Supplemental Readings: Maya’s help documentation is an excellent reference and is accessible from each workstation using the F1
key or Help pull-down menu. These websites offer tips, discussion boards, tutorials, and downloads:
http://knowledge.autodesk.com, www.cgsociety.org, www.creativecrash.com, www.learning-maya.com
Materials:
Mac compatible 3-button USB mouse, external HD, 2 CD-ROMs, 2 DVD-Rs, and a 3-ring binder.
Process Books:
Process books are used to archive and track the development of your work.
Plagiarism:
Students submitting work that is not their own face penalties including failure of the course.
Shortened online version