ClassInfo

ANI 332 3D Rigging

Suruchi Pahwa

Winter 2022-2023
Class number: 29159
Section number: 801
M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00527 Loop Campus

Summary

Students will study the processes and techniques for bi-ped character rigging for film and games: skeleton creation, skinning and animation controls rigging. Techniques in skeleton creation and skinning will be explored for hand-key and motion capture driven applications. Rigging will include exploration of body and facial rigging techniques. Additional topics will include presentation techniques and .mel scripting for animation rig manipulation.



Texts

Textbooks and Printed Resources

Readings:
Inspired 3D Advanced Rigging and Deformations : by Brad Clark

Class Notes will be provided as well.



Grading

Grading Policy

Attendance

Student absences are not expected to exceed more than 2 absences. A third absence will result in the lowering of your final grade one full letter. Any student missing 4 classes will be given a grade of "F" for the semester.

Tardiness is defined as not in the classroom when attendance is called or departing before the class has been formally dismissed by the instructor. Tardiness that exceeds thirty minutes will be counted as an absence. TWO late arrivals or early departures, or a combination of both, are counted as one absence. If you arrive late for class, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have been marked tardy rather than absent.

The allotted absences are to accommodate routine illness, weddings, car trouble, etc. Doctor appointments, advisor conferences, trips to supply stores and employment, etc. should not be scheduled to conflict with class. Faculty cannot be placed in the position of determining which absences are excusable and which are not. All students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Prolonged illness should be verified by a physician and may require the student to withdraw from class if he/she cannot complete work in a comprehensive and timely manner.

The student is responsible for any lectures or assignments missed. If an assignment is due a week that you are absent, it is your responsibility to make sure it still arrives on time. This is for your benefit. A good portion of our class time will be spent doing hands on tutorials, screening films, and critiquing work. Lecture notes will not make up for these missed learning experiences.

You may not miss the midterm or final class date. Doing so will equal an automatic two letter grade reduction of your final grade. If for some reason you cannot make one of these dates you must contact your instructor BEFORE the class that you must miss. Excuses given after the fact will not be accepted.

No incompletes will be given without documented proof of circumstances beyond your control.

Participation

One of the best ways to learn in a classroom environment is through active participation in discussions and critiques. In general, we will be following a pattern of creating content and then discussing it in Tuesday critique sessions. When I open up the floor for you to speak, please make the effort to voice your honest and constructive opinion. This more than anything will help you learn from your mistakes and progress in your animation skills.

While I don't give a direct grade for participation, you can receive bonus points on your grade for participating more actively in class, or a reduction for being a hindrance to discussion. Participation will be a score of +/- 5 percentage points factored into your total grade at the end of the term. Participation will be based on attentiveness in class, active participation in discussions and critiques, promoting a positive learning environment, and attendance.


Class Work Assignments
Must be handed in on time. On time is submitted through DLWeb one hour BEFORE class starts. Students who use class time to finish assignments the day they are due will forfeit the right to hand in that assignment. Class time is for working with the material at hand, not finishing late assignments. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due the following week on Monday.

Late work will not be accepted unless approved of PRIOR to the class in which it is due or accompanied by a valid medical excuse.

Digital Assignments: All assignments handed in digitally must be in the following format (please note upper and lower case usage)
lastnameFirstname_projectname.extension
example: lewellenAnthony_projectOne.mov

Special Accommodations: If you have any special considerations please see the instructor so you can be accommodated.

Final Project: A final project is mandatory for this class. If you do not turn a final project your grade is an automatic "F," regardless of the other assignments, tests, quizzes you have completed for this class.

BACK UP YOUR WORK: Failure of computer software and or Hardware will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance for late projects or incomplete grades so back up your work daily.

Critiques

Unless otherwise stated, assigned work must be completed and submitted through DLWeb, on-time, otherwise it will not be accepted (this will keep us from wasting class time). In most cases (I'll let you know the exceptions) I request that you use QuickTime format unless discussed. Handing in something unfinished is always better than nothing at all. If you'd like more feedback, arrange to discuss your work with me during my office hours. We will view and discuss everyone's final project during the last class.


Grading



Total Homework 60% of grade

Final Project 40% of grade
Total 100%


A = 100-93 A- = 92-90
B+ = 89-88 B = 87-83 B- = 82-80
C+ = 79-78 C = 77-73 C- = 72-70
D+ = 69-68 D = 67-63 D- = 62-60 F = 59-0

Standards for Achievement:

Grade A:
Student performs in an outstanding way. Student exhibits achievement and craftsmanship in all work. Assignment criteria are exceeded and student challenges him/herself in project design. Student exhibits commitment to expanding ideas, vocabulary and performance.

Grade B:
Student performs beyond the requirement of the project. Student exhibits above average progress and craftsmanship. Assignment criteria are exceeded. Student exhibits above average interest in expanding idea, vocabulary, and performance.

Grade C:
Criteria of assignment is met, and all requirements are fulfilled. Student shows average quality work on projects.

Grade D:
Student performance is uneven and below average. Requirements for projects are only partially fulfilled. Participation and involvement are inadequate.

Grade F
Student fails to meet minimum course requirements. Levels of participation and craftsmanship are extremely poor.

Requesting an incomplete grade:
An incomplete grade may only be assigned to a student if the student has experienced an extenuating circumstance near the end of the term, the student is in good standing in the class, and the request is made before

Homework = 60% (includes participation and attendance)
Final = 40% ( Rendered Quick Time) Undergrad students will be provided with a Character for their Final. Grad's should be using their own Character mesh. I will NOT be accepting late assignments due to the nature of the class. I will however give an extra credit during Week 6 so you have the opportunity to improve your grade.



Prerequisites

PREREQUISITE(S): ANI 230 or GPH 250



Introduction to the course. Syllabus overview.
Discussion on human skeleton.

Continue Working on Full Skeleton Creation
Assignment: Start creating a Skeleton on a Mesh given in class or a model that you have created. Finish working on the Full Body Skeleton
Assignment: Skeleton Due Week 4. Discuss lower Body Controls
Assignment: Work on Lower Body controls for the character whose skeleton was made.
DUE: FULL BODY SKELETON Discuss Upper Body Controls
Assignment: Work on Upper Body Controls for your own Character.
DUE:LOWER BODY CONTROLS Discussion on Walk Animation
Discussion on Blinks with examples
Assignment: Work on Walk and Blink
DUE: UPPER BODY CONTROLS Discussion: Skinning the character.
Assignment: Work on your Characters Skinning. Skinned Walk and Blinks. Work on Final. Final Submission: Class presentation on showing your rig for your character model.Students will submit a QuickTime Video displaying the characters deformation.
Failure to submit will result in Failing the class.


Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L or COLWeb and sent via email.
Online Teaching Evaluation

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in External Linkhttp://campusconnect.depaul.edu
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at External Linkhttp://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: External Linkcdm.depaul.edu/enrollment
Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.

To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at: csd@depaul.edu.

Lewis Center 1420, 25 E. Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296