Paul Naas
Adjunct Faculty,
Multimedia Art & Technology

MART 421 – 3D Animation and Modeling I

Spring 2011
Tuesdays 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Instructor: Paul Naas

Welcome to 3D Animation and Modeling II. In this course, we'll be learning additional and more sophisticated skills for creating models and animation in Maya.

Class Description:
Continuation of MART420. Further development of concepts and techniques introduced in MART420 to establish a solid foundation in storytelling, modeling, animation, texture creation, and lighting. Rendering professional final scenes using Maya.

Required Textbook:
Mastering Maya 2009 by Maya Press

Required Supplies:
USB drive (1gig minimum)

Attendance:
Regular attendance is vital to your success in this class. The assignments and exercises build on one another, and missing class sessions will make it harder to complete the assigned tasks. Excessive absences may result in you being dropped from the class.

Trade email addresses and/or phone numbers with another student on the first night, and contact each other to find out about assignments and class activity if you're absent.

By Arrangement Hours:
In addition to class attendance, this course requires two "by arrangement" hours per week. Check the studio hours link on the Multimedia home page for open hours. By arrangement hours can also be completed at home or work, provided you complete an "Off-Campus Lab Hours" form and turn it in to me at the end of the semester.

Assignments:
There will be several assignments throughout the semester. There will be time during class to work on some or all of the assignments. Students will show their completed work in class and participate in constructive critiques of other student's work.

BACK UP YOUR WORK! One more time: BACK UP YOUR WORK! Do iterative saves, and make sure you copy your latest versions onto your USB drive. Lost or corrupted files will not be an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.

Assignments include:
Modeling a detailed character
Advanced rigging techniques
UV mapping
Dynamics and procedural animation

A file naming convention has been established for homework assignments in this class. Follow the naming convention when you hand in your work; file names are specified in each assignment description. Any assignment turned in with a name not following the naming convention will be docked a half-grade.

Grading:
Grading will be based on assignments and class participation.

Multimedia jobs are all about meeting deadlines. For full credit on assignments, you must turn in your assignment no later than the due date. Late assignments will be downgraded one half grade for every class session they are late (so if your project gets a B- and it's one class late, your grade for that project will be a C). However, life happens, and if you have problems meeting the assignment due dates, please do not hesitate to talk with me. Due dates will be announced when the assignment is given. There will be class time set aside to work on projects in the lab.

Grading:
Assignments (cumulative) 55%
Midterm 15%
Final 20%
Class participation 10%

Academic Integrity:
Nothing will bring a creative career to a halt faster than passing off someone else's work as your own. Not only is it unprofessional, it will affect your reputation for the rest of your career. I take issues of academic integrity very seriously. Only turn in work that is your own. If you have any questions, please review the section on academic integrity in the Cañada catalog or talk to me.

Important dates:
Jan. 31 - last day to add the class.
Jan. 31 - last day to drop class and be eligible for a refund.
Feb. 11- Last day to drop without class appearing on transcript.
April 2-8 - Spring Recess (no classes)
April 28 - Last day to drop (a "W" will appear on transcript).

It's going to be a great semester, and another step toward your goals in 3D multimedia. I'm here to help you in any way I can, so don't hesitate to ask!