3D MODELING AND ANIMATION 1

Grades 10–12; fall semester; spring semester; ½ credit

This course will introduce students to Maya, the industry standard for 3D modeling and animation. Students will learn to navigate and build in virtual 3D space, creating  objects and environments taught through projects designed to build new skills. By the end of the semester, students will be able to model and animate their own 3D character. This course can be extended into a second semester for those students interested in furthering their skills and creating more extensive animations.

STILL LIFE RENDERED SCENE

Students will choose an object from nature and model it using Maya. The object chosen should be of interest both visually and subject-wise to the student. The object must not be too simple, nor too complicated in structure. The object modeled will also be used in creating a digital still life. The object will be replicated, stretched, and changed in scale in order to create the still life scene. Students will consider an object in the foreground, middle ground and background. 

CHARACTER ANIMATION

Students will create an original character to model, rig, and animate into a 5 second movie. Character development will be written in the form of a Character Profile and include the following information/description: Name, Age, Genus/Species (origin of birth/existence), Physical Features (height, eye color, etc) as well as answer these questions: What is the purpose of this character? goals? Does this character have vices? (good vs bad). For the animation, consideration should be put forward in determining the stylistic quality of modeling (is the character supposed to be realistic or fantastical?) and the character’s personality, in order to determine the short plot that the animation reel will portray.