Animation
Courses
ANIM 100 Foundational Tools for Animation & VFX 3.0 Credits
Students will learn fundamentals of core tools in Digital Animation & Visual Effects related disciplines. Tools introduced include pixel based image manipulation tools (such as Photoshop), vector based graphics tools (such as Illustrator), video and animation compositing tools (such as After Effects and Nuke) and 3D CGI tools (such as Maya). Animation and visual effects related applications introduced include digital image alteration, digital matte painting, three dimensional type creation, and other foundational animation and visual effects tasks.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ANIM 110 Digital Imaging for Animation & VFX 3.0 Credits
Students learn foundational image acquisition, lighting and processing techniques and principles utilized in Animation & VFX disciplines. Topics covered include digital still and video imaging and lighting fundamentals for reference and background gathering, texture creation, normal map sampling, spherical and high dynamic range acquisition, location survey and more.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ANIM 115 Introduction to Production with Animation & VFX 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to many of the core principles, techniques and technologies employed in the creation of media incorporating animation and visual effects. The basics of planning and shooting live action, greenscreen and still image media are introduced in conjunction with design, creation, animation and compositing of both 2D and 3D assets.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: IDM 211 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 100 [Min Grade: D] or PHTO 141 [Min Grade: D] or VSCM 200 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 100 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 140 Computer Graphics Imagery I 3.0 Credits
Students learn to represent 3D objects and spaces in 2D media using a variety of drawing and computer graphic techniques. This course lays important foundations for subsequent courses in 3D computer modeling and animation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ANIM 141 Computer Graphics Imagery II 3.0 Credits
This course will introduce students to the principles and techniques of 3D virtual scene building for animation, visualization and game development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 145 Realtime Visualization 3.0 Credits
In this course, students learn principles and techniques of scene building in realtime, 3D interactive graphics engines for use in animation, visualization, game design, VR, AR and other forms of digital media.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D] or ARCH 134 [Min Grade: D] or INTR 245 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 146 Basic Portfolio 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on the basics of portfolio creation, editing, and presentation while examining portfolio examples of current professionals in various industry roles that can serve as models for student portfolio development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is ANFX.
ANIM 152 Multimedia Timeline Design 3.0 Credits
Introduces basic design concepts and tools to create time based 2D and 3D multimedia. Addresses issues from pre-production planning, through post-production and delivery; emphasis on time-based multimedia.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 100 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 100 [Min Grade: D] or PHTO 141 [Min Grade: D] or VSCM 200 [Min Grade: D] or GMAP 101 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 155 Previsualization for Animated Production 3.0 Credits
Previsualization is the all-important design and planning process that takes place before embarking on the production of an animation or visual effects piece. In this course, student will learn and practice the creation, motivation and use of pre-production plans, concept art, mood boards, shot storyboarding, animatics, performance reference and other topics integral to the previsualization process.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 211 Animation I 3.0 Credits
Explores computer animation with an introduction to concepts of 3D animation. Includes narrative structure, storyboarding, and development. Emphasizes aesthetic, technical and conceptual issues. Requires students to create short, 3D animations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 212 Animation II 3.0 Credits
Builds on topics introduced in ANIM 211 Animation I, incorporating advanced animation techniques such as inverse kinematics and dynamics. Requires students to propose, design, and produce a short animation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 211 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 213 Rigging I 3.0 Credits
This class will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of IK and FK rigging, weight painting, and deformation solutions for humanoid characters. Lectures may also include common rigging solutions for other miscellaneous tasks and advanced-level topics.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 211 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 214 Digital Character Creation 3.0 Credits
This course introduces all aspects of digital character creation within a 3D environment. Students will learn how to model and rig humanoid characters optimal for both real time and raytraced render environments. Topics covered will include modeling and topology for characters, FK/IK rigs, and production workflows for character integration.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 215 History of Animation 3.0 Credits
Students learn the pre-cursors to modern animation and the evolution of the art since the beginning of the 20th century. Concepts in both 2D and 3D animation will be covered.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ANIM 220 Digital Compositing I 3.0 Credits
Examines digital compositing possibilities through the manipulation and recombination of acquired and produced digital imagery, including study of digital image and video formats, color space, live action digital matte painting, Greenscreen/Bluescreen compositing, rotoscope masking and 2D tracking.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 110 [Min Grade: D] or FMTV 110 [Min Grade: D] or VRIM 110 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 221 Digital Compositing II 3.0 Credits
Examines 2D and 3D digital compositing possibilities through the manipulation and recombination of acquired and produced digital imagery, including 2D/3D Integration, 3D Matchmoving, and High Dynamic Range Imagery.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D] and ANIM 220 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 225 Digital Matte Painting 3.0 Credits
Students will build upon existing compositing and animation knowledge to create digital matte painting visual effects shots using 2D and 3D approaches. This course will teach students the process of creating dramatic scenes that leverage movement, depth, and scale.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 220 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 231 Scripting for Animation and Visual Effects 3.0 Credits
This course explores modern scripting languages utilized in Animation and Visual Effects operating systems and software tools that are integral to artist productivity and production pipeline scalability.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: CS 140 [Min Grade: D] or CS 171 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 240 Lighting & Surfacing 3.0 Credits
Students will continue to build on core skills by diving deeper into texture and shader development as well as lighting techniques for the purposes of creating photorealistic digital imagery. Several render engines will be introduced allowing students to recognize core concepts universal to lighting and surfacing and improving production versatility.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0 Credit
This course focuses on building skills for the career-long practice of producing and maintaining a professional creative portfolio while allowing the students the opportunity to create or refine additional student-driven portfolio work that synthesizes their skills and experience from direct class assignments in their other coursework.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 3 credits
Prerequisites: ANIM 146 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 247 Organic Modeling I 3.0 Credits
This course presents an intensive exploration of human character modeling and rigging for animation, with emphasis on human anatomy and articulation. Through lectures, demonstrations, class critiques and individual feedback from peers and the instructor, students will learn best practices for modeling human forms for animation and why these approaches are valid. Although the focus is on humans, the concepts and techniques presented for organic modeling, sculpting and rigging apply to all organic characters.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 141 [Min Grade: C] or ANIM 145 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 248 Advanced Lighting 3.0 Credits
Students will learn to integrate production-oriented lighting techniques into animation. Techniques utilizing both point-based and raytraced global illumination will be covered, and how to optimize pipelines for animation. Basic shader development will also be covered.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 141 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 145 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 240 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 250 Professional Practices for Animation & VFX 3.0 Credits
Provides a professional orientation to the animation and visual effects industry through an exploration of a variety of projects and studies. In addition to lecture and discussions, students learn to take active part in role plays and presentations to achieve an understanding of the importance of team building, team work, and team management in all phases of animation and visual effects productions from proposals to final delivery, as well as personal development and promotion through personal learning, development of work demonstration materials.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 211 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 221 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 301 Procedural Animation 3.0 Credits
This class introduces students to the fundamentals of procedurally generated 3D content. Students will learn procedural tools for the generation of different effects systems in topics such as modeling, rigging, animation, visual effects, and look development.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 140 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 314 Character Animation I 3.0 Credits
In this course, students learn humanoid rigging, body mechanics, body language and theories of acting with emphasis on having characters emote and perform with deliberateness of action. The course will culminate with a two character pantomime animation that students will create with a partner.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 315 Character Animation II 3.0 Credits
Students learn human facial deformation and movement as it’s applied to thought driven character performance.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 314 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 347 Organic Modeling II 3.0 Credits
In this course, students will learn organic modeling of creatures, both real and imagined, for animation, taking into consideration anatomy, articulation and the fundamentals of creature design. In addition, we’ll look at various concepts and techniques for rigging animals and creatures as you’ll develop and present your own creature, modeled, sculpted, rigged, and posed in a final animation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 247 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 350 Experimental Animation Lab 3.0 Credits
In this lab course, students explore Animation as an art form. Animation's characteristic of being a malleable art form opens the possibility of limitless, novel expressions of ideas. Students explore how Animation can uniquely affect the human spirit toward higher levels of conceptual consideration and comprehension as a multi-sensory language that can speak to audiences universally and post-linguistically.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 314 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 377 Animation Workshop I 3.0 Credits
This course examines leadership and developmental roles involved in each stage of a collaborative production, from concept to finished project. Students will work in groups to research and plan an animation production that results in a pre-production prototype.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D] and (ANIM 221 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 247 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 314 [Min Grade: D])
ANIM 378 Animation Workshop II 3.0 Credits
This course provides an environment in which the pre-production of ANIM 377 Animation Workshop I can be taken through a full production effort. Students will work in groups to bring a selected prototype to completion.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 377 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 410 Advanced Compositing 3.0 Credits
Students learn to create detailed visual effects, and the best methods to integrate them into live-action plates. Drawing on existing compositing and animation knowledge, students will work in groups to produce short visual effects sequences.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 221 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 411 Advanced Animation 3.0 Credits
This course explores a wide range of visual effects assets, both practical and synthetic. Projects focus on the creation of a comprehensive short animation.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 412 Advanced Visual Effects 3.0 Credits
In this course students will study advanced techniques and software in order to successfully recreate natural phenomenon, simulations, and effects that can be used in the Film, Animation, or Gaming industries.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 301 [Min Grade: C]
ANIM 435 Technical Directing for Animation 3.0 Credits
Students learn toolsets for technical direction of animated films and visual effects. The topics covered can include Python scripting, pipeline development and integration, the creation of custom shaders to streamline production processes, and technical direction for lighting, crowds, or other relevant disciplines in the animation and visual effects industry.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 231 [Min Grade: C-]
ANIM I199 Independent Study in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM I299 Independent Study in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM I399 Independent Study in Animation 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM I499 Independent Study in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM T180 Special Topics in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM T280 Special Topics in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM T380 Special Topics in Animation 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ANIM T480 Special Topics in Animation 3.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
