Orem, UT United States – June 10, 2013 — For Summer Term, AnimSchool is offering two new 11-week live courses Introduction to 3D Lighting and Environmental Modeling using Autodesk Maya software.
Introduction to 3D Lighting
For the introductory term, Introduction to 3D Lighting students are team-taught by TWO feature film
professionals in approximately 3 hours of live web classes each week, lighters Brandon May and Michael Murdock of Blue Sky Studios.
The class covers the basics of 3D lighting in Maya. Learn the principles of light, shadow, color, composition, and
staging. Learn how to render great images using Maya’s tools.
This
course is designed for AnimSchool animation or modeling students, and also for
students who may want to pursue lighting and rendering as a career path.
The instructors appear on a web camera and share their desktop, so
students are able to see the instructor explain concepts, and can
ask questions as they go.
Environmental Modeling
Environmental Modeling is AnimSchool’s new course to go deeper into hard-surface modeling and learn environments. Students learn how to make sets for their characters.
For this first term, Environmental Modeling is taught by Disney/Blue Sky Studios modeler Brien Hindman, Environmental Modeling Lead for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
In this new course, students learn best practices for production modeling, naming, breakout and asset management, and previs, cameras, lights, and resolution handling. Students learn the secrets of set modeling, with instruction in UV’s, Cloth
simming and particle distribution of elements, as well as working in a visual style.
AnimSchool characters and tools are used by more than 15,000 users worldwide,
and have been used to win numerous animation contests and for
commercial needs. AnimSchool is known as the most trusted name for
appealing 3D characters and animation.
Now with over 200 students, AnimSchool was founded in 2010 to bring
character-focused 3D animation instruction to students all around
the world through live online sessions with the very best film
professionals.
Contact:
Isaac Nordlund
AnimSchool admissions@animschool.com 560
South State Street, Suite F3
Orem, UT 84058
801 765-7677
Orem, UT United States – April 18, 2013 — Animschool
announces today the release of the new AnimSchool Picker.
This is a new plug-in that incorporates all the capabilities from film studio
“picker” GUIs for selecting and controlling 3D characters.
The features are unparalleled, and it’s free to the public for most uses. (Some restrictions apply).
AnimSchool Picker is tightly integrated into
Maya, highlighting when you make a selection in Maya, as well as picking
from the buttons. Users can zoom and pan using standard Maya navigation hotkeys.
Authoring a picker is very easy. Make single
or multiple object buttons–even vertices. Make script/command buttons.
Move buttons or groups of buttons with the control key. Nudge buttons
precisely with the arrow keys. Arrange and distribute buttons
horizontally or vertically.
Reuse pickers in an instant by switching it to
another character’s namespace. AnimSchool Picker automatically changes
all buttons and scripts to update to the new character.
The AnimSchool Picker has been released for Maya versions 2011+ PC and 2012+ Mac. Softimage
version likely to follow. The AnimSchool Picker is offered to the
public with restrictions similar to the Malcolm rig: free for
most uses except in online animation classes in competition with
AnimSchool. It can be used by students of traditional in-person schools
and even by professionals and studios. (Other restrictions described here.)
“AnimSchool is committed to bringing the best animation tools to our
students and sometimes to the 3D animation community as a whole,”
founder Dave Gallagher said. “We’re so excited to offer this to
animation pros, students, and enthusiasts all around the world. Even
studios can use our new Picker!” (restrictions may apply.)
Now with over 200 students, AnimSchool
was founded in 2010 to bring character-focused 3D animation instruction
to students all around the world through live online sessions with the
very best film professionals.
Learn more about AnimSchool Picker at www.animschool.com.
Orem, UT United States – March 8, 2013 — AnimSchool announces
today their new course for beginners in 3D — Introduction To Maya.
This is an introduction course to one of the most popular 3D
software programs: Autodesk Maya.
“This is an excellent opportunity for those wanting to get started
with Maya” AnimSchool founder Dave Gallagher said. “There is no
better option for beginners in 3D animation software, or those familiar with another 3D program.”
Introduction to Maya students learn directly from an industry
professional in two hours of live web classes (and one hour of lab time) each week. “This isn’t
just about listening to pre-made videos; it’s about interacting with
a pro while you start the learning process.”
The class is 11 weeks and tuition is an introductory price: a very
affordable $595 for the entire term! (includes application fee)
The instructors appear on a web camera and share their desktop, so
students are able to see the instructor explain concepts, and can
ask questions as they go.
The class covers all the basics of the software: the Maya interface,
working with objects, modeling basics, how to animate objects, apply
textures, and use lights and cameras to render your scene.
Introduction to Maya at AnimSchool requires no prerequisites for
admission. Prospective students should apply at: http://www.animschool.com/Members/NewStudent.aspx
and specify they would like to take the Introduction to Maya course.
AnimSchool characters are used by more than 10,000 users worldwide,
and have been used to win numerous animation contests and for
commercial needs. AnimSchool is known as the most trusted name for
appealing 3D characters and animation.
Now with over 180 students, AnimSchool was founded in 2010 to bring
character-focused 3D animation instruction to students all around
the world through live online sessions with the very best film
professionals.
Contact:
Isaac Nordlund
AnimSchool admissions@animschool.com 560
South State Street, Suite F3
Orem, UT 84058
801 765-7677
AnimSchool is moving to a new server during the Term Break.
In the next few days, there will be a transfer period when AnimSchool.com will be unavailable. Please stand by, while we get the new server switched over.
“It’s been three months since I updated my blog; I was very busy with
my first term at AnimSchool.com (and with my full-time job!)… I wrote
this article to summarize the assignments that I did within this term at
AnimSchool.
“First, I was extremely lucky in this term to be one of Sabine Heller
students; I had wonderful days having Introduction to Rigging with her.
And before I start showing my term assignments, I would like to talk a
little bit about Sabine….” continue reading…
Dreamworks Supervising Animator Hans Dastrup is joining AnimSchool Winter Term! He will be teaching a General class–for all AnimSchool students–teaching them how to improve their shots and assignments. Hans has a strong reputation in the animation industry for being a versatile performer– capable of the finest subtle acting, as well exaggerated comedic and physical shots.
We are thrilled to have Hans Dastrup here at AnimSchool. He’s the latest addition to all we offer our students: the highest quality resources, characters, and industry talent.
During CTN Expo in Burbank, California, AnimSchool announced we are
releasing to the public the new… AnimSchool Picker! This is an amazing
new software that incorporates all the capabilities from film studio
“picker” GUIs for selecting and controlling characters.
The features are unparalleled, and it’s free for friends of AnimSchool! (some restrictions apply).
AnimSchool Picker is tightly integrated into Maya, highlighting when you make a selection in Maya, as well as picking from the buttons. Users can zoom and pan using standard Maya navigation hotkeys.
Authoring a picker is very easy. Make single or multiple object buttons–even vertices. Make script/command buttons. Move buttons or groups of buttons with the control key. Nudge buttons precisely with the arrow keys. Arrange and distribute buttons horizontally or vertically.
Reuse pickers in an instant by switching it to another character’s namespace. AnimSchool Picker automatically changes all buttons and scripts to update to the new character.
The AnimSchool Picker will be released late first quarter of 2013 for Maya versions 2011+, PC and Mac. Softimage version likely to follow. The AnimSchool Picker is offered with restrictions similar to the Malcolm rig: free for
most uses outside of online instruction similar to AnimSchool. Look for more details soon, including a video tour.
The Los Angeles Times reports that this year the Academy Awards will have 5 nominees for best animated film of the year. It’s often limited to three, however, this year there are more films in consideration–21 animated films–for the Oscar nomination.
There need to be over 16 films in consideration for the category to grow from three to 5 nominations. This is an indication of just how many animated films have been produced this year; this has only been done three times (2002, 2009, 2011) since the category was introduced in 2001.
AnimSchool would like to introduce Jim Donnelly. Jim, can you tell us a little about your background and what 3D experience you had before entering AnimSchool’s 3D Character Program?
I come from a traditional film background. I started off working as a camera loader and later as a camera operator for music videos and TV. As a lover of visual storytelling, I’ve always been intrigued by the power of 3D animation, but was a bit intimidated by it. I thought that working in CG required a degree in computer science. It wasn’t until I played around with a friend’s copy of 3ds Max that I realized I could actually make 3D art. My first piece was a cube and I’m still proud of it. From there, I was completely hooked. I tried to teach myself as much as I could about 3D modeling before eventually taking some classes in Maya at the Rhode Island School of Design.
What peaked your interest in becoming a 3D Rigger? What do you enjoy about rigging?
My interest in Rigging came as a result of wanting to do more with the models I created. I absolutely love the modeling process, but once I’ve completed a character, I find myself wanting the ability to play with it a bit; try new poses, facial expressions, etc. Learning how to create and install the controls that would make this possible was the next logical step for me. As it turns out, I enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would. It’s a part of the pipeline that has its own unique set of challenges and utilizes several different skills. For me, it’s the perfect mix of visual art and technical problem solving. It also rewards my need to stay organized!
What artists inspire you?
Oh wow, there are so many artists that inspire me. Like many interested in 3D animation, I’ve been inspired by Glen Keane, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird. Their ability to push boundaries and further the medium has been nothing short of amazing. I’m also astounded by the work of fairly recent digital sculptors like Laurent Pierlot, Alessandro Baldasseroni and Rafael Grassetti. Their attention to detail is just incredible. But, I also have to mention that AnimSchool’s own Marty Havran actually played a role in kick starting my fascination with 3D. I was just starting to study cinematography when I saw the film ‘Contact’ in the theater. There were a couple of shots in that movie that just did an amazing job of playing with perspective and seamlessly blended cg with practical elements. I remember buying the issue of American Cinematographer with ‘Contact’ in it so I could read how they pulled those shots off. It totally blew my mind when I saw Marty’s reel and learned that he worked on one of the very shots that I was obsessed with. What a crazy coincidence!
Looking back at past 3D films, is there a character that you would have loved to model or rig? Why? What do you like about the design/character?
I would have loved to model and rig Scrat from the Ice Age films. I just find that character’s design to be so appealing. So much is communicated without even speaking. It’s hard not to smile when he first appears on screen. And I think the challenge of designing a rig for a such a dynamic character whose body is subjected to nearly every force of nature would be a lot of fun too. The poor guy is such a glutton for punishment.
Now that you’ve had a couple rigging classes at AnimSchool, when you watch a 3D film do you see it differently? How?
Absolutely. I’m so impressed by the amount of thought and effort that goes into creating a feature rig. Before taking these classes, I hadn’t truly considered the amount of design challenges you’d encounter when trying to accommodate all of a character’s particular animation needs. Rigging not only requires a firm grasp of anatomy and body mechanics, but you have to understand the technical hurdles within the software as well. I have a much greater appreciation for all of the hard work that goes into these films.
After having the rigging classes has your thought process behind 3D modeling changed?
Yes, totally. I think I’m much more economical with my modeling now. In the early stages, I try to focus on conveying as much detail as I can without the weight of unnecessary geometry. After having rigged a character, I can now fully appreciate the importance of proper edge flow and knowing where to strategically place resolution for clean deformations. I think it’s great that we’re exposed to different areas of the pipeline so that we can directly see how our work impacts others down the chain.
How has your experience been at AnimSchool?
My experience at AnimSchool has been phenomenal. Learning directly from the people who have helped create some of my favorite animated films is a truly rewarding experience. Just the breadth of practical knowledge being taught by our instructors, who are dealing with real-world production challenges day in and day out, has been priceless. The classes are so well-structured and thorough that no questions are left unanswered. There’s a strong sense of community at AnimSchool as well. Fellow students are very encouraging and supportive. And, because the classes are live, I feel close and connected to people who are on the other side of the globe. It’s pretty cool. I’ve had the desire to work in this field for quite some time, and through AnimSchool, I’m finally starting to feel the confidence I need to reach that goal.
Environmental Modeling is AnimSchool’s new course to go deeper into hard-surface modeling and learn environments. Students learn how to make sets for their characters.
