Course: 3D Animation using Autodesk Maya 2023
Contact Hours: 36
Pre-requisite: Computer Literacy, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After
Effects
Abstract
This courseware is designed for computer literate users who require basic training in 3D software.
It incorporates the features, commands and techniques for modeling, texturing, rigging and
animation on a 3D platform. Exercises throughout the courseware explore the necessary toolset to
create a fully animated product, moving from pre-production, to creation in a 3D software, to a
completed video file. All exercises are provided in a digital format.
Target Audience
● Engineers
● Students
● Artists
● Filmmakers
● Animators
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, learners will be able to:
1. Formulate proper Pre-production materials
2. Understand and apply the 12 Principles of Animation
3. Navigate through the User Interface
4. Create basic Polygon Objects
5. Model utilizing Reference Images
6. Texture Objects and Modify Materials
7. Create Simple and Complex rigs
8. Create and Modify Cameras
9. Animate Objects, Rigs and Cameras
10. Differentiate and Control Lighting
11. Render and Composite Final Images
Course Content
1. Formulate proper Pre-production Materials
● Formulating a script
● Creating a storyboard
● Designing a Character Sheet and Concept Art
● Compiling References
2. Understand and Apply the 12 Principles of Animation
● Reviewing the 12 Principles of Animation
● Observing usage of each principle
● Formulating instances for use of each principle
● Discussing the value of each principle
3. Navigate through the User Interface
● Understanding the Menu set
● Creating a Project folder
● Setting Preferences
● Saving and Opening scene files
● Storage and Folder set up
● Traverse through 3D space
4. Creating Basic Polygon Objects
● Differentiating basic polygon primitives
● Using the manipulation tools
● Understanding the channel box
● Manipulating components
5. Model Utilizing Reference Images
● Setting up image planes
● Using symmetry modeling
● Manipulating orthographic cameras
● Utilizing the polygon modeling toolset
6. Texture Objects and Modify Materials
● Understanding material type
● Viewing the Hypershade
● Using the UV editor
● Importing and creating textures
● Modifying the Attribute editor
7. Create Simple and Complex Rigs
● Finalizing and optimizing polygon objects
● Using the Parent Child method
● Creating proper hierarchies
● Creating Joints
● Binding a mesh
● Utilizing skin weights
8. Create and Modify Cameras
● Creating a camera
● Exploring camera types
● Editing Camera attributes
● Utilizing view guides and resolution
9. Animate Objects, Rigs and Cameras
● Exploring the timeline
● Setting and editing keyframes
● Utilizing the Graph Editor
● Creating a playblast
10. Differentiate and Control Lighting
● Exploring different light types
● Adjusting light specific attributes
● Manipulating light objects in 3D space
● Light Linking
● Editing shadows
11. Render and Composite Final images
● Exploring different render types
● Configuring render settings
● Saving and exporting rendered images
● Compositing final images
● Colour correction and final video render
Assessment Criteria
In order to achieve Learning The Learner must…
Outcome…
1. Formulate proper pre-production Create a valid script, storyboard and design sheet.
materials
2. Understand and apply the 12 Review and describe the 12 principles and their uses in
Principles of Animation dynamic animation.
3. Navigate through the User Identify interface elements, explain and demonstrate
Interface how to set a project, open and save scene files.
4. Create Polygon Objects Use the polygon toolset to create basic, identifiable 3D
objects
5. Model using Reference Images Create a final 3D model using image plane references
and the modeling toolset
6. Texture Objects and Modifying Change the default material of a 3D object and
Materials incorporate a UV mapped texture
7. Create Simple and Complex Rigs Create a simple model bound to a properly named and
placed skeleton. Use the Parent Child method to create
a quadruped rig.
8. Create and Modify Cameras Create and manipulate a suitable camera to match a
final scene set up.
9. Animate Objects, Rigs and Animate all items in a created environment to create
Cameras interactive character and prop action.
10. Differentiate and Control Lighting Create and manipulate lights to achieve a given mood
and visual.
11. Render and Composite Final Utilize the proper render type to set up, and create, final
Images images from a scene. Composite all images together into
a final video file.
Note all required course material will be provided on the SBCS E-Learning platform.
