Overview
This unit of study provides an introduction to three-dimensional (3D) character animation theory, principles and practices. You will learn how to use a variety of tools and techniques to apply the principles of animation to 3D characters. You will develop the necessary skills to produce animated 3D characters for animation, visual effects and games using industry-standard software.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: DGTL11001 Foundations of Animation
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
One student remarked that the time required to follow the video tutorial was longer than the duration indicated on Moodle.
Students will be reminded that following the video tutorial may take longer in practice than initially anticipated. Therefore, they should be prepared to allocate additional time for this activity.
- Apply the principles of animation to 3D character rigs
- Produce 3D character animation using industry-standard software
- Produce 3D character animation using best practice, including producing reference material, meeting milestone deadlines and incorporating feedback
- Analyse and critique character animation.
Not applicable
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 40% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators
- Edition: 1st (2001)
- Authors: Williams, Richard
- Faber & Faber
- London London , London , UK
- ISBN: 0-5712-0228-4
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Google Chrome
- Graphics Tablet (Recommended)
- Autodesk Maya
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
q.huang@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: What is Character Animation?
Practice of Character Animation: Process Overview
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages: 35-45, 84-95, 273-284
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: Basic Physics (Mass and Gravity)
Practice of Character Animation: Keys and Graph Editors
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages: 256-269, 46-69
Physics for Animators: https://tinyurl.com/ybqymw9r, https://tinyurl.com/y9s8myee
Action Analysis for Animators: https://tinyurl.com/yaw5rbsf
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: Basic Anatomy (Joints and Muscles)
Practice of Character Animation: Planning
Chapter
Animation Salvation: https://tinyurl.com/y75dfuk6
Action Analysis for Animators: https://tinyurl.com/y8z2au8k (Stop at "Movement Given to One’s Own Body")
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: Body Mechanics 1 (Walks)
Practice of Character Animation: Blocking
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages: 102-117, 120-123, 136-139, 142, 146-153
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: Body Mechanics 2 (Runs, Jumps, Lifts, etc.)
Practice of Character Animation: Splining
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages: 176-200, 209-216, 257-263, 266-268
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024Module/Topic
Theory of Character Animation: Personality and Character
Practice of Character Animation: Tips and Tricks (Asymmetry, Framing, Silhouette, Offset Keys, etc.) and Interacting with Objects
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages: 251, 297-302, 315-325
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Prescribed
The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators
Edition: 1st (2001)
Authors: Williams, Richard
Faber & Faber
London London , London , UK
ISBN: 0-5712-0228-4
Binding: Paperback
1 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to complete the Week 1, 2 and 3 tutorial exercises and compile them into a single video, complete a written pitch for your Character Animation Project (Assessment 3), and complete a written review for three (3) of your peers’ pitches. The video and documents must adhere to the technical specifications and submission requirements specified in the assessment criteria. Video tutorials are provided to guide you through the process.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI content can be used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI can be used for content editing.
- Gen AI content generation for you to critique and review.
- Gen AI may only be used within the constraints that are specified in the assignment instructions. Please refer to the unit website for those details.
Week 5 Monday (5 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Monday (26 Aug 2024)
Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
Application of principles of animation
Competence with medium and/or software
Creativity and innovation
Effort and engagement
Communication (written)
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- Produce 3D character animation using industry-standard software
- Problem Solving
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to complete the Week 4, 5 and 6 tutorial exercises and compile them into a single video, complete planning for your Character Animation Project (Assessment 3), and complete a written review for three (3) of your peers’ planning. The video and documents must adhere to the technical specifications and submission requirements specified in the assessment criteria. Video tutorials are provided to guide you through the process.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI content can be used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI can be used for content editing.
- Gen AI content generation for you to critique and review.
- Gen AI may only be used within the constraints that are specified in the assignment instructions. Please refer to the unit website for those details.
Week 9 Monday (9 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Monday (23 Sept 2024)
Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
Application of principles of animation
Competence with medium and/or software
Creativity and innovation
Effort and engagement
Communication (written and visual)
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- Apply the principles of animation to 3D character rigs
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to complete character animation for three (3) character actions using the 3D character rig provided, and complete a written review for three (3) of your peers’ character animation progress each week during its production.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI content can be used to generate ideas and general structures.
- Gen AI can be used for content editing.
- Gen AI content generation for you to critique and review.
- Gen AI may only be used within the constraints that are specified in the assignment instructions. Please refer to the unit website for those details.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)
Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
Application of principles of animation
Competence with medium and/or software
Creativity and innovation
Effort and engagement
Communication (written and visual)
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- Apply the principles of animation to 3D character rigs
- Produce 3D character animation using industry-standard software
- Produce 3D character animation using best practice, including producing reference material, meeting milestone deadlines and incorporating feedback
- Analyse and critique character animation.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
