SEMESTER SCHEDULE
Lecture 1: Welcome to UCBUGG / Introduction to Maya (2 Hours - In Class)
- What is UCBUGG? And why is it so cool?
- Course and Topic Overview
- Introduction to Maya
- Learn the basics of the Maya interface
- Menu overview
- Creating basic shapes
- Movies from previous semester
- Story overviews
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class)
- (1 Hour) Fill out the enrollment form with your (1) name, (2) major, (3) year in school, (4) if you've tried to get into UCBUGG a previous semester, (5) paragraph of why you want to be in UCBUGG, and (6) what lecture section you can attend (Monday or Wednesday). Fill out the form no later than 11:59PM on August 31st.
- (1 Hour) Get a copy of Maya for your computer. We do not have any way of checking if you actually do this assignment, but we highly recommend you get a copy early on since there will not be enough time to finish your final project in class and in office hours. An installation guide can be found here.
- (2 Hours) Introduction to Maya Practice: practice use of tools, hotkeys.
- (3 Hours) Mini-Project 1: Introduction to Maya Project. Model a robot figure using the tools learned in class. Homework will be graded on creativity, usage of tools, and complexity.
Note: Failing to fill out the enrollment form will very highly diminish your chances of getting into the class.
Lecture 2: Modeling (2 Hours - In Class)
- Essential Tools for Modeling
- Using the Insert Edge loop Tool
- Good Modeling Techniques
- Lab: Start Modeling a Toilet!
- Creating complicated objects using simple geometry
- Subdivision surfaces, split faces - vertices, faces, edges
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (1-2 Hours) Finish up the toilet model you start during lab
- (0.5-1 Hour) Come up with story pitch ideas for the next homework.
- (4-5 Hours) Advanced Modeling Project:
- Creating complicated, organic models
- Edge loops, topology, advanced mesh topics
- Email the Organic Frog Model with subject "HW2- Your Section (Mon or Wed) -firstname lastname" to homework@ucbugg.com.
Note: The final class roster will be decided before the next class. Strict homework deadlines and grades determine enrollment; roster finalized by end of second week.
Lecture 3: Story Boards and Art (2 Hours - In Class)
- Register computer accounts
- Modeling Critique
- Story Lecture: Once upon a time...
- Story is King
- Sample Storyboards
- Storyboarding Demo
- Art Lecture: Importance of Pre-Production Art
- Lab: Start Mini-Project 2: Referencing, runthrough of entire pipeline.
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (3 Hours) Finish up Mini-Project 2
- (2 Hours) Write and submit story pitch.
- (1-2 Hours)Prepare/Practice Story Pitch. Must be strictly under 2 minutes.
- Submit your story pitch to the google form! Check Piazza for submission instructions.
Lecture 4: Story Pitches, Groups, and Reels (2 Hours - In Class)
- How to use a video editor for story reels
- Story Pitches: Groups will be split into groups of 5-6 people, small groups will then pitch stories to each other and vote on the best 2. The top 10-12 story pitches will then be pitched to the entire class. 5-6 final stories will be then chosen and facilitators will randomly create groups.
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (3 Hours) Create a storyboard for your group’s story. Scan/photograph your storyboard images and save them in a zip file.
- (2-3 Hours)Groups must assemble storyboard reel in video editor and create an asset sheet.
- Draw front and side profiles of the main characters in your story. Here is an example of what it should look like: http://cloud.cs.berkeley.edu/~cnm190/runaway/index.php/image-gallery. Also, start drawing some of your sets.
- (Optional) Start modeling! You will have enough to get basic set pieces and basic character models at this point. You should have an emphasis on your main characters and anything that will need to be given a skeleton for animation.
Lecture 5: Rigging (2 Hours - In Class)
- Groups present Storyboard Reels
- Facilitator and Peer Critique of reels
- Lab: Basic Rigging - Giving a lamp a skeleton
- Creating basic rigs for simple characters
- Importance of good hierarchy
- Joints and join chains, forward/inverse kinematics
- Parent constraints, rigid binding, smooth binding
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
1. (5-7 Hours) Modeling assests for final project.
2. (1-2 Hours) Collaborate/meet with group to work on modeling.
Lecture 6: Advanced Rigging (2 Hours - In Class)
- More Rigging! Lecture
- Painting Skin weights
- Locators
- Deformers
- and extras: human modeling
- Lab: Rigging a Humanoid Figure
- Skin weights practice
- Controls
Checkpoint heads-up & MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- The first checkpoint is next week! Your group must have most (>75%) of your modeling completed at this point to get checked off.
- (4-5 Hours) Finish modeling all objects, charactors, sets require for final project.
- (2-3 Hours) Start rigging any completed characters. If you did not meet the first deadline, have some people in the group start creating basic skeletons for the characters.
Lecture 7: Animation (2 Hours - In Class)
- Group Rigging Critique
- Animation Lecture:
- Process of animation in Maya
- Blocking
- Animating the rig
- Using graph editor to perfect motion
- CHECKPOINT #1: Modeling
- Facilitators check-off groups
- Lab: Bouncing Ball
- Key framing, deformation lattice, motion curves, graph editor
- Scene referencing
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (7 Hours +) Continue rigging/debuggin your characters. Many students struggle here. Office Hours will be offered throughout the week! Please check site for OH listings.
Lecture 8: Advanced Animation (2 Hours - In Class)
- Advance Animation Lecture: Concepts and Good practices
- Lab: Human Jumping Lab (Max)
- Blocking
- Animating the rig
- Overshoot, anticipation, weight distribution, secondary motion
Checkpoint heads-up & MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- The second checkpoint is next week! Your group must have most (>75%) of your rigging completed at this point to get checked off.
- (5-6 Hours) Finish all character rigging. Make sure rigs are bug free and functional.
- (1-2 Hours) Start on animation.
Lecture 9: Second Checkpoint / Midterm/ Shading (2 Hours - In Class)
- Group Animation Critique
- Midterm: Playblast reel
- Shading Lecture:
- Getting to know Lambert and Phong
- Bump Mapping
- Simple Textures and UV Mapping
- CHECKPOINT #2: Rigging
- Facilitator check-off groups
- Mid-Semester Evaluation
- Lab: Start Shading a Chessboard and Table
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (1-2 Hours) Finish up Lab.
- (3-4 Hours) Work on final project animation
- (2-3 Hours) Start Shading, Texturing characters, assets, and sets.
Lecture 10: Lighting / Rendering (2 Hours - In Class)
- Lighting Lecture: Key/Fill/Rim
- How to Render:
- Maya Software, Hardware, Mental Ray
- Lab: Lighting a Bowl of Fruit
Checkpoint heads-up & MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- Groups must have (>75%) of all animation done for checkpoint next week!
- (5-6 Hours) Finish animating necessary scenes.
- (1-2 Hours)Finish Lab if not finished in lab session
- (1 Hour) Work on shading and texturing characters.
Lecture 11: Mood Lighting (2 Hours - In Class)
- Advanced Lighting Lecture:
- JGL Mood Lighting Demo (Lighting to achieve different moods)
- CHECKPOINT #3: Animation
- Facilitators Check-off groups
- Lab: Character Model in Different Lighting
- Advanced Lighting techniques
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (2 Hours) Continue shading and texturing assets.
- (4 Hours) Meet up with group to work on final project.
- (1-2 Hours) Starting working on lighting characters and scenes.
Lecture 12: Effects (2 Hours - In Class)
- Group Lighting/Shading Critique
- Effects Lecture
- Expressions, Particles, Dynamics
- Lab: Start Simulation
- Using expressions to program a car's wheels
- Create smoke/explosions using particles
- Simulate a catapult attacking a castle
Checkpoint heads-up & MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- Group Lighting and Shading Checkpoint in next week! Groups must have (>75%) of both Lighting and Shading for their final project done.
- (5-6 Hours) Meet with group to Finish shading and lighting your scenes and work individually on assigned roles.
- (1-2 Hours) Finish up Effects lab.
Lecture 13: Putting It All Together / Work Day (2 Hours - In Class)
- Final Thoughts on Rendering, Sound Effects, Finishing touches to final project:
- Motion blur, depth of field
- Ambient occlusion
- Reflections, refractions
- Mental Ray in general
- Royalty Free Sound Effects
- CHECKPOINT #4: Lighting/Shading
- Lab: No Official Lab! Meet with Groups to work on Final Project.
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours - Out of Class):
- (7 Hours+) Work on final project with group.
Lecture 14: Finishing And Rendering (2 Hours - In Class)
- Last Class Session
- Critique final shading and lighting
- Lab: No Official Lab! Meet with Groups to work on Final Project for
remaining lab session to finish your animation.
MANDATORY Homework (Total 7 Hours+ - Out of Class):
- Your final animation will be shown next week! If you have made all the checkpoint, there shouldn't be much more work to be done. Your group must have your project done by the beginning of the viewing party.
- Groups must have a completed animated short for the viewing party. Final grades will be determined largely by final projects.
Lecture 15: Viewing Party! (3-4 Hours - In Class)
- Final Project View Party
- Kick back, relax, and watch some movies
- Final Course and Group Evaluations
