Character Development

Section Information: DGM-3630-001 2
Course Name : Character Development
Course Description : Character Development

Course: Description
Addresses the structure, design, modeling, texturing, and rigging of a digital character. Requires a firm understanding of 3D modeling, and basic animation. Students will create 3D character following principles of an industry pipeline.


Course: Objectives

Design

Plan the style, personality, and objectives of a digital character. Learn how color (theory) and emphasis affect the characters mood and motive.



Structure

Analyze the structure of muscles, bones and fat of bipeds and quadrupeds. Use the analysis to design and develop characters of choice.

Model

Construct characters with correct geometrical edge flow, and points of articulation. Make low-resolution puppets, and final high-resolution Characters. Study how to keep complex characters simple. 


Surface
Create readable UV maps for each character. Learn to optimize space on a UV grid. Understand UV islands and placement. 

Create low-resolution and high-resolution textures. Learn the use of materials and channels. Understand use of color and various painting techniques. 


Rig
Plan and create deformations for low-resolution and high-resolution characters. Learn advanced use of joints, IK, constraints, controls, and attributes. Learn to develop the structures for legs, arms, backs, faces, etc.

Course: Resources
Title: Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life: Over 1,000 Illustrations

Author: George B. Bridgman 

Publisher: Sterling
ISBN-10: 0806930152

Type: Required resource

Title: The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action Analysis, Caricature 

Author: Ken Hultgren 

Publisher: Dover Books
ISBN-10: 0486274268

Type: Required resource

Title: Drawn to Life Volume One 

Author: Walt Stanchfield 

Publisher: Focal Press
ISBN-13: 978-0240810966
Type: Required resource

Course: Materials
1. Sketchbook — 9 x 12 100 pages. 50 lb. +
2. Notepad
3. Pencils
4. External drive
5. CD-R or DVD-R Discs for back up, and for turning in assignments

Policies: Back-up
Be sure to always back-up your files on a regular basis. Unfinished or lost projects due to data loss, or mismanagement will not be accepted.

Policies: Extra Credit
There is no extra credit offered in this course.

Policies: Feedback
The work you do will be assets prior to grading using feedback.
1. Self evaluation
2. Peer evaluation
3. Instructor evaluation

Once feedback has been given students my revise their work prior to grading. After grading no further feedback will be given.

Policies: Assessment
Students will meet with instructor to discuss work and grades one on one at midterm, and 2 week prior to the final. This is the only time grades will be discussed, unless requested by the student.

Policies: Grading criteria*
Objective : Measurable advancement, without bias or opinion: 50% of grade
1. Technical aspects and concepts
2. Understanding of the toolset or software

Subjective : Based on the industry and instructor knowledge and opinions: 50% of grade
3. Design aspects and Concepts
4. Project Aesthetics, and overall polish

Projects are to be finished on time; late projects will be reduced 10% for each day late.

Policies: Assignments *
10 Character Hand Drawn and Modeled 50 points each — up to 500 points.

100 pages of drawing 1 point per page quantity 1 point per page for quality — up to 200 points.

3 Finalised characters 150 points each — up to 450 points.

Class total — up to 1150 points.

All Assignment must be submitted on time. Each project will be graded using the stated grading criteria.

Policies: Grade Scale
A = 95-100 Exceptional
A- = 90-94
B+ = 86-89
B = 83-85 Meets Expectations
B- = 80-82
C+ = 76-79
C = 73-75 Average
C- = 70-72
D+ = 66-69
D = 63-65 Bellow Average
D- = 60-62
E = 59 Needs Improvement

Week_001
Rebuild of Generic Mesh
100% accuracy

Week_002
Cartoon Biped
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_003
Cartoon Biped
Monday: 1-2k polygon model
Wednesday: Model UVs
Wednesday: 5k+ Model

Week_004
Cartoon Quadra-ped
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_005
Cartoon Quadra-ped
Monday: 1-2k polygon model
Wednesday: Model UVs
Wednesday: 5k+ Model

Week_006
Realistic: Biped
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_007
Realistic: Biped
Monday: 1-2k polygon model
Wednesday: Model UVs
Wednesday: 5k+ Model

Week_008
Realism of Choice
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_009
Realism of Choice
Monday: 1-2k polygon model
Wednesday: Model UVs
Wednesday: 5k+ Model

Week_010
Professors Discretion
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_011
Professors Discretion
Monday: Thumbnails
Wednesday: Character Turnaround
Wednesday: Character Sheet

Week_012
HighRes Model 1 50-100k polygon model

Week_013
HighRes Model 2 50-100k polygon model

Week_014
HighRes Model 3 50-100k polygon model

Week_015
Final Assessment Review

Week_016
Work Week

Week_017
Final

Keyword List:

Function:
Fails
Restless
Success
Hangs
Cycling
Assembly
Dig
Fast
Slow
Sneaky

Age:
Child
Retired
Imortal
Infant
Teen
Dead
Middle Aged
Undead
Immature
Extinct

Emotion:
Funny
Sad
Angry
Shy
Confused
Crazy
Greedy
OCD
Indifferent
Board

Subject:
Quadruped
Aquatic
Machine
Monster
Winged
Male Biped
Female Biped
Plant
Alien
Microorganism

Body Type:
Fat
Thin
Fully
Muscular
Tall
Small
Frail
Robust
Brute
Attractive

Design Principles:
Placement
Grouping
Emphasis
Alignment
Flow
Supporting Elements
Color and Texture
Concept
Theme
Conveyance

*Assignments, Tutorials, and Class schedule are subject to change, based on class need or conflict