Introduction to Computer Animation
491/492
This course is designed to introduce students to basic methods and practices of creating 3D animation and renderings. Students will experiment with a wide variety of animation techniques. They will use math skills to control timing, physics to control lighting and optics, writing skills for storytelling, art talents to create characters, and computer skills for editing scene, shape and object manipulation. Using industry leading 3D animation software, the student will learn to create animations that closely resemble famous movies such as: Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Inside Out. Attention will also be given to rendering and animating of fires, hair, explosions, and characters. Ninety percent of this course will have students using their technical skills to render and animate using provided software. *This course is designated as a STEM Concentration Course.
GIF Making
As students explore early forms of animation, they will explore 2D animation by making short GIFs.
Stop Motion
Students will build on their understanding of frame rate and the 12 Principles of Animation to make a stop motion animation.
2D Animation
Adobe Animate is a powerful 2D Animation software that students use to create original animations. Exciting things happen when art and technology cross paths!
3D Modeling
Students start with simple shapes but get to model an original item using Autodesk Maya. Maya is a powerful 3D modeling and animation software.