Autodesk Maya Press Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: The Modeling and Animation Handbook,John Wiley & Sons; Pap/Dvdr edition 2007 ISBN-10: 1897177380
Cabrera, Cheryl. An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging with DVD Focal Press; 1 edition (14 Jan 2008) ISBN-10: 0240520823
Georgenes, Chris How to Cheat in Adobe Flash CS3, (How to Cheat in): The Art of Design and Animation Focal Press; 1 edition (10 Aug 2007) ISBN-10: 0240520580
Patmore, Chris, The Complete Animation Course, Barron's Educational Series (August 1, 2003), ISBN 0764123998.
Roberts, Steve, Character Animation in 3D, Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation, ISBN: 0-240-51665-6, 2nd edition, 2006.
Webster, Chris, Animation: The Mechanics of Motion, Focal Press, ISBN: 0-240-516660, 2005.

Studio learning takes place in timetabled sessions with academic staff who introduce key contextual and
practice based lectures focused on the development of:
- Building and rigging a character and the understanding of complex hierarchies in CGi production
- Introduction to Toon shaders in the Maya program
- Interactive 3D title developed using Flash
Through these initial lectures you will gain an understanding of the core concepts, theory and practical tools necessary to build a repertoire of CGi productions skills as a foundation for further development at Levels 2 and 3. Independent study will form the majority of time spent "answering the brief" through evidence of research visual analysis, preparatory drawings, studio strategy and application of methods and processes necessary for completion of an appropriate response to the assignments. You will access studio and pre-recorded material for review and consolidation of CGi based software technologies during the production.
Attendance at Technical Instruction sessions will be crucial for the understanding and use of a range of professional software applications.
Seminars and group Critiques support your studio practice through formative evaluation and will take place at critical points of the semester to review working progress.
Summative assessment takes place at the end of the module where the work will be presented for final assessment.
There will be designated tutorials set up to enable students to discuss their work, both individually and as part of a team, with key members of delivery staff.

This module aims to provide you with the experience of developing a repertoire of 3D Character
animation production techniques.
You will be introduced to the fundamentals of working in 3D (CGi) through 2 module components.
You will animate and rigg a character to demonstrate technical skill in animation and an
understanding of animation principles in practice.
Throughout the module you will begin a process of acquiring technical competencies in full character rigging and attachment of character geometry.
You will also be introduced to the potential of using 3D within new media in such areas as CD-ROM, publishing, visual effects and the Internet, and you will produce a short interactive educational animation for pre-school children. This will involve vector line based output from 3D and its incorporation into a web-based or interactive learning environment

A Portfolio of coursework consisting of 3 components:
- Building and rigging a character
- Introduction to Toon Shading
- Interactive 3D title using Flash
Understanding of complex Inverse kinematics and CGi hierarchies in the construction and animation of a virtual skeleton rig [Learning Outcomes 1,2,4].
Evidence of competence in software applications in the production of a 3D model [Learning Outcomes 1,4].
Portfolio evidence of technical and creative response to a team design brief which clearly demonstrates design development throughout the production of CGi animation [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5].
Demonstrate as part of a team understanding of a specific audience in the production of an interactive DVD-ROM using a 3D interface [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5].
All animation content to be presented on Mini DV tape only
Interactive content to be presented on labeled DVD.

Animation Workshops.
Line testing Facilities, Animation Computer room, General computer workshop.
Specialist Animation equipment.
Access to Flash and the CW workshops on 2nd floor Henerion.
Specific Skills Modulettes will be assigned to this module in use of Animation equipment including health and safety
Module descriptors will have more than one modulette assigned and this information will be held by the Faculty Office initially.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.