Program Overview

Introduction to the Three-Dimensional Animation Foundation Program

The Three-Dimensional Animation Foundation program is a foundational course designed for students in the animation major. Through this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the basic operations of computer three-dimensional design, learn to use Maya and other three-dimensional software for basic three-dimensional graphic design, and cultivate their artistic and technical skills.

Program Overview

• Program Name: Three-Dimensional Animation Foundation
• Credits and Hours: 4 credits, 64 hours (16 theory hours, 48 practice hours)
• Applicable Major: Animation
• Course Nature and Attributes: Professional core course, compulsory
• Prerequisites: Computer Graphics Foundation, Foundation of Composition

Course Objectives

1. Enable students to understand the basic operation knowledge of computer three-dimensional design.
2. Foster students' correct values and positive learning attitudes in creative ideas.
3. Cultivate students' ability to combine art and technology and enhance their professional skills.
4. Develop students' three-dimensional modeling capabilities.
5. Improve students' three-dimensional animation design capabilities.
6. Lay a solid foundation for students' future learning of three-dimensional software and film and television post-production software.

Teaching Methods

1. Construct rich network informationized teaching resources, including online theoretical and practical courses.
2. Utilize Maya and other three-dimensional software to create three-dimensional models, enhancing students' spatial imagination and creative thinking.
3. Strengthen students' interest by letting them design cartoon characters, thereby improving their sense of achievement.

Teaching References

1. Suggested Textbook: "Chinese Version Maya Model Case Advanced Tutorial" by Li Liang, China Youth Publishing House, 2016.
2. Reference Books:
   • "Develop Your Spatial Imagination" compiled by Megan, Harbin Institute of Technology Press, 2017.
   • "Cartoon IP Era Brand Cartoon Image Design Revelation" by Li Shun and Zhang Yu, People's Postal and Telecommunications Publishing House, 2017.
   • "Chinese Version Maya 2017 Complete Combat Technical Manual" by Lai Yang and Jiang Shanshan, Tsinghua University Press, 2018.
   • "Maya 2018 Chinese Full-Color Platinum Edition Case Tutorial" by Hu Xincheng, China Youth Publishing House, 2019.
   • "ZBrush+3ds Max+TopoGun+Substance Painter Next-Generation Game Modeling Tutorial" by Jiang Yusheng, Electronic Industry Press, 2019.

Assessment Methods

• Assessment Approach: Examination questions and content requirements.
• Examination Content Requirements:
  1. Submit the original character design reference graphs.
  2. The model must be made according to the reference graph.
  3. The model's shape and color should have a certain aesthetic.
  4. The work should include a cartoon character model and three lamps.
  5. The model should have a map, and the UV should be reasonable.
  6. The scene should have at least three lamps, with a spotlight as the main light source, and have shadows.
  7. Render different angles of the cartoon head model.
  8. Generate or shoot a video of the rotating head model.

Scoring Standards

• Periodic Assessment Score: 30% of the usual score + 70% of the exam score.
• Usual Score:
  • Homework accounts for 30%.
  • Character design accounts for 10%.
  • Model making progress accounts for 20%.
• Exam Score:
  1. Basic modeling ability, 30 points.
  2. Overall color and model shape, 10 points.
  3. Map display, 15 points.
  4. Lighting, 10 points.
  5. Final Maya file, 10 points.
  6. Rendered images, 15 points.
  7. Rotating observation video, 10 points.

Course Outline

1. Course Name: Three-Dimensional Animation Foundation
2. English Course Name: Basis of 3D Animation
3. Course Code: [Not specified]
4. Credits and Hours: 4 credits, 64 hours
5. Applicable Major: Animation
6. Course Nature and Attributes: Professional core course, compulsory
7. Prerequisites: Computer Graphics Foundation, Foundation of Composition

Course Introduction

This course is a foundational course for animation majors, aiming to make students understand the basic operation knowledge of computer three-dimensional design, learn to use Maya and other three-dimensional software for basic three-dimensional graphic design, and cultivate their artistic and technical skills.

Course Objectives

• Objective 1: Make students understand the basic operation knowledge of computer three-dimensional design.
• Objective 2: Foster students' correct values and positive learning attitudes in creative ideas.
• Objective 3: Cultivate students' ability to combine art and technology and enhance their professional skills.
• Objective 4: Develop students' three-dimensional modeling capabilities.
• Objective 5: Improve students' three-dimensional animation design capabilities.
• Objective 6: Lay a solid foundation for students' future learning of three-dimensional software and film and television post-production software.

Teaching Calendar

• Total Course Hours: 64
• Completed Hours: 0
• Weekly Hours: 8
• Teacher: Gao Shen
• Title: Lecturer

Course Chapter Resources

1. Unit 1: Three-Dimensional Software and Course Foundation
   • 1.1 Introduction to Three-Dimensional Animation Foundation Course
   • 1.2 Expansion of Three-Dimensional Spatial Thinking
   • 1.3 Installation and Activation of Three-Dimensional Software
   • 1.4 Basic Operation of Three-Dimensional Software
   • 1.5 Creation of Polygonal Geometric Bodies
2. Unit 2: Modeling Foundation
   • 2.1 Curve Modeling
   • 2.2 Geometric Modeling
   • 2.3 Creation of a Street Lamp Instance
3. Unit 3: Material and Mapping
   • 3.1 Overview of Material Basics
   • 3.2 Material Instance
   • 3.3 Street Lamp Material
4. Unit 4: Character Model Making
   • 4.1 Importing Reference Graphs and Character Rough Shape
   • 4.2 Character's Head and Ears
   • 4.3 Character's Eyes and Nose
   • 4.4 Character's Neck and Head Completion
   • 4.5 Character's Body Extrusion
   • 4.6 Character's Arm Extrusion
   • 4.7 Adding Cycle Line to Extrude Double Legs
   • 4.8 Refining Character Details
5. Unit 5: Model Split UV and Mapping
   • 5.1 Model Merging and UV Mapping
   • 5.2 Split UV Export PNG Format UV Mapping
   • 5.3 PS Drawing Mapping
   • 5.4 Importing PS Saved Bitmap Mapping to View Effects
6. Unit 6: Character Binding
   • 6.1 Skeleton and Character Rough Alignment
   • 6.2 Bip Skeleton Binding and Weight
   • 6.3 Character 2 Braid Tail Binding
   • 6.4 Stair Footprint Animation

Instructor Introduction

Gao Shen, lecturer at Xiangtan University, is dedicated to improving students' professional animation theory knowledge and social practice ability. He has led and participated in various research projects and competitions, achieving numerous awards and publications. His teaching and research focus on combining design practice with theoretical research, maximizing service to society, and promoting student participation in design competitions to cultivate their artistic and technical skills.