Get started with a career in the VFX industry!
This course is designed for those who wish to set out on a
venture of exploring the world of computer-generated graphics by becoming
familiar with the Maya software package. During the course we will touch on
topics across all areas of computer graphics in the film, TV and video game
industries. This course may be of interest to beginners, as well as to those
who are already specialized in a 3D design area, or in another software
program, and now wish to expand their knowledge. Beginning with an introduction
to VFX history, throughout this course students will become familiar with
current leading software packages and develop an understanding of the
distribution of specialized tasks within a VFX studio. Overall, this course
encompasses everything required for a sound understanding of modern VFX
production. By the end of the course, students will have had the opportunity to
discover where their talents lie and will have gained a clear idea of which
direction they wish to take in furthering their career in the VFX
industry.
Basic information:
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course duration: 7 weeks
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requirements: basic computer skills
Digital Image Editing*
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Online application send here>
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Course program:
Getting to know the VFX industry
• History of the VFX industry
• Current affairs and trends in the VFX industry
• The future of computer graphics
Getting to know the Maya program
• History of the Maya program
• Areas of application
• Basic concepts of working in Maya
Maya interface I
• Basic components of the interface
• Navigating the Maya interface
• Use of masks for selection
• Transform tools
• Snap tools
Maya interface II
• Editors in Maya (Outliner, Attribute Editor)
• Duplicate
• Paranting and hierarchy
• Properly planning the production of a model
• Analysis of production requirements
• Collecting references
Basics of poly modeling I
• Approaching the problem of modeling
• Getting acquainted with poly geometry
• Poly components
• Basic tools for poly modeling (Create Polygon Tool, Merge Vertices)
Basics of poly modeling II
• Advanced tools for poly modeling
• Considering unhealthy geometry
Basics of poly modeling III
• Techniques for optimizing modeling
• Testing technical defects of a model
• Applying deformers in modeling
Avanced poly modeling I
• Types of topology
• Application of topology
Practical application of modeling
• Examples od production ready models and detailed analysis of the production process
• Analysis of the most common problems in hard surface modeling
Maya structure
• Nodes in Maya. What is a node?
• Types of nodes ("Drawable objects vs Parametrized operations")
• Organizing nodes through DG
• Organizing nodes through hierarchy
• Flow of data in Maya ("Dirty bit propagation")
• Conventions for naming. Conserving time and minimizing stress when naming nodes
Basics of texturing
• Basics of texturing
• Creating textures in Photoshop
• Editing UV
• Discussion on texturing in program packages
Basics of lighting
• Lighting techniques in Maya and Arnold
Basics of shading
• Shading techniques in Maya and Arnold
Basics of rendering
• Rendering techniques in Maya and Arnold
Digital camera
• How a practical camera works
• Differences between a camera in Maya and a practical camera
• Basics of camera tracking (Boujou)
Editing an interface
• Advantages of adjusting an interface
• Methods of increasing comfort and speed of work
• Creating a shelf
• Creating a marking menu
• Creating custom hot keys
Basics of rigging
• Application in the industry
• A look at the most common techniques
• Using rigging techniques in your every day work
Basics of animation
• History of animation
• Basic animation techniques
Basics of dynamics
• History and modern application
• Dynamics in Maya
• Dynamics in other program packages
Compositing in the VFX industry
• Theory of compositing in VFX
• Program packages that are used for compositing
Programming in the VFX industry
• Basics of programming in Mel
• Practical examples for using Mel to ease work in Maya
Film production
• Principles of film production from the concept to the premiere
VFX production (VFX pipeline)
• Organization of a VFX project
• Work ethic
• Approaching work with the aim of attaining the best possible results
• Interpersonal relations in the workplace
Art and visual effects
• Art history
• Applying art in the VFX industry
• Traditional sculpting as a way of improving modeling skills
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Literature* :
* all literature is available to students at the Crater VFX Training Center library
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Certificate:
Upon completion of the course
students will receive the internationally recognized Autodesk Certificate of
Completion, as well as the Crater VFX Training Center Certificate.
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