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 - 2025
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 Unit evaluation
Assignment details need to be clearer when it comes to the peer review requirements. Students were confused how many peer reviews they need to produce.
A more detailed and clarified explanation of the assessment requirements will be developed and communicated early during class sessions.
- 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 - 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 | |
| 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
ISBN: 0-5712-0228-4
Paper copies, if preferred, can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: https://bookshop.cqu.edu.au/ (search on the Unit code)
Paper copies, if preferred, can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: https://bookshop.cqu.edu.au/ (search on the Unit code)
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
Module/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
Module/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://fliphtml5.com/wyofm/ophm/basic
Action Analysis for Animators:
https://tinyurl.com/yaw5rbsf
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/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
Module/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
Module/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
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/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
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
‘Weeklies’ (Assessment 2: Planning)
Chapter
No Readings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/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.
AI Assessment scale tool:
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Gen AI Usage Guidelines for Assessment 1
You may use Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to support idea generation, grammar checking, or clarifying concepts. However, all work submitted must be your own original thinking and creation.
- Do not use Gen AI to generate scripts, pitches, or reviews verbatim.
- Animation sequences must be created by you using industry software; AI-generated animation or assets are not permitted.
- You may review Gen AI outputs critically as part of your peer review thinking, but must reference this appropriately.
Week 5 Monday (11 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Monday (1 Sept 2025)
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)
- 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.
AI Assessment scale tool:
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Assessment 2 – Tutorial Exercises 2 and Character Animation Project Planning
Gen AI Usage Guidelines for Assessment 2
You may use Gen AI to help brainstorm or structure ideas for planning documentation only.
- You must still demonstrate your own understanding of animation principles and apply them manually in Maya.
- AI-generated images, character poses, or planning diagrams are not acceptable.
- If Gen AI was used in any form (e.g., to summarise feedback or outline timelines), please include a brief note of how and where it was used.
Week 9 Monday (15 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Monday (29 Sept 2025)
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)
- 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.
AI Assessment scale tool:
Level 3: You may use AI to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content you use. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Gen AI Usage Guidelines for Assessment 3
This final project must reflect your own technical and creative skills.
- Do not use Gen AI to generate animation, models, rigs, or submit AI-assisted motion work.
- You may use Gen AI to help with time management, written documentation, or idea refinement, but all animation must be authored by you manually using Maya.
- Peer feedback should be written in your own words. If Gen AI is used to help rephrase or check grammar, it must be acknowledged.
Review/Exam Week Monday (13 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
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)
- 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?
