General Information

Instructor: James Chan

Time: Monday 6:40 pm- 8:30pm

Location: Online (Zoom)

Course Number: 53-320

Term: Fall 2022

Class Overview: IDeATe Special Topics in Animation: Character Modeling will offer students a deeper understanding of character art and digital sculpture. In this course, students will translate a 2D character design into a production-ready character model. This process includes selecting a design, sculpting the high-poly character, re-toplogizing, UV'ing, and posing the model for final presentation. Students will learn fundamentals of character design for stylized 3D characters including the use of shape language, silhouette, and appeal. Course material will also encompass the technical aspects of digital sculpture including the tools, workflows, and best practices.

Learning Objectives

  1. Students will learn character design principles like Shape Language, Straights vs. Curves, and Big/Medium/Small. These will help students maintain the appeal of their characters when converting 2D artwork into 3d sculptures. Artistic anatomy will also be taught to show how muscles and bones contribute to the body's forms.
  2. Students will use Zbrush to sculpt their character's body, clothing, and accessories. The course will introduce Zbrush's most useful features for character sculpting such as Dynamesh, Zremesher, ZModeler, and Curve Brushes.
  3. Students will prepare a 3d character model for texturing, rigging, and animation. Maya will be used to check mesh integrity, re-toplogize geometry, and layout UVs. The final product will a production-ready character model meant for use in film or games.
  4. Students will learn more about the animation, visual effects, and games industry. Topics will include workflows, pipelines, positions, salaries, and how to apply for jobs.

Class Policies

Attendance: Tardy or absent days require permission from the instructor. 2 ****unexcused absences results in a lower letter grade

Participation: It is important for everyone to answer questions when if they are asked during a lesson, either in chat or verbally. Participation is part of the overall grading, and students are expected to focus on the topic at hand instead of on the internet or texting. Critiquing other student's homework assignments will also be considered when evaluating participation.