Module Descriptors
BODY MECHANICS FOR ANIMATORS
GDEV60011
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 6
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Amir Mansaray
Email: amir.mansaray@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 152
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- Animation Challenges weighted at 60%
- Project Application, Communication, and Reflection Tracking weighted at 40%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Body Mechanic Exercises:
Creature Animation
Multi-person Interaction
Full-Body Dynamic Animation
Weight exercises
Game Cycle Animations
ADDITONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment Component 1 - (Learning Outcomes 1)
Animation Challenges weighted at 60% consisting of:
A series of forum posts to the Digital Academy Forum evidencing completion of several hand-keyframed animations which focus on various body mechanics. These animations will demonstrate understanding of core animation technical theory, as well as engine implementations that provide in-context application of the skills developed.
Assessment Component 2 - (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)
Project Application, Communication, and Reflection Tracking weighted at 60% consisting of:
A series of forum posts to the Digital Academy Forum explaining and reflecting upon the iterative progress and problem solving approaches taken in the completion of the Animation Challenges. This should include evidence of research conducted to aid the completion of the challenges, along with a critical evaluation of the work completed.
Animation Challenges weighted at 60% consisting of:
A series of forum posts to the Digital Academy Forum evidencing completion of several hand-keyframed animations which focus on various body mechanics. These animations will demonstrate understanding of core animation technical theory, as well as engine implementations that provide in-context application of the skills developed.
Assessment Component 2 - (Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4)
Project Application, Communication, and Reflection Tracking weighted at 60% consisting of:
A series of forum posts to the Digital Academy Forum explaining and reflecting upon the iterative progress and problem solving approaches taken in the completion of the Animation Challenges. This should include evidence of research conducted to aid the completion of the challenges, along with a critical evaluation of the work completed.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
2x 3 Hour Tutorials per week.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate coherent and detailed knowledge and understanding of body mechanics for gameplay animation within a practical context.
University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding
2. Apply consistent and physically accurate knowledge and understanding of body mechanics to game-ready character models.
University Learning Outcome
Application
3. Communicate details of the work created, the process followed, problems encountered, and solutions found in effective industry relevant ways.
University Learning Outcome
Communication
4. Reflect critically over the technical work produced.
University Learning Outcome
Reflection
RESOURCES
3D animation software
Game Engine software
Photo Editing Software
Video Editing Software
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
Video Draw-over Software
Game Engine software
Photo Editing Software
Video Editing Software
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
Video Draw-over Software
REFERENCE TEXTS
The Animator's Survival Kit. Williams, Richard. ISBN: 9780571238330
Game Anim: Video Game Animation Explained, Jonathan Cooper: ISBN 9780367707651
Stop Staring - Facial Modeling And Animation Done Right, Osipa, Jason ISBN: 9786612817465
WEB DESCRIPTORS
This module introduces main body-mechanic theory for a variety of organic character rigs, and will pose challenges for recreating physically accurate animation in an animation package that can be brought into a game engine for context.