TOON BOOM character design and rigging
| Code | Completion | Credits | Range | Language Instruction | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 309MTBR | Z | 2 | 4/D | Czech | winter |
Subject guarantor
Name of lecturer(s)
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The module is focused on practical skills and rigging of one's figure for subsequent animation.
This abbreviated course arises from a model course which emphasizes not only the technical aspects of working with Toon Boom, but also training drawn and cut-out animation prinicples, an understanding of the pipeline, experiencing the workflow and bases of working in a team. The participants are given tips and an effort is made to simulate conditions in contemporary practice and to prepare them for work in the field. This is primarily for co-production of TV series, feature length films and technically challenging short films.
Mode of study
Intensive 4 day module in 1 + 3 days
On the first day we will cover the function principles and creation of cut-out characters and begin to draw the design which will later be used for figging. Students bring a sketch of a character which will be evaluated and the we will begin to draw a „do turn-around“ in Toon Boom. One should account for the necessity to draw the figue at home before the start of the second part of the course.
Prerequisites and co-requisites
Students bring a digital or scanned sketch (or ideally sketches) of figure(s) which they wish to rig up and ideas of at least a basic story and animation style in which the figure will be animated. Who wishes may may draw a few poses, turns of the figure and facial expressions.
Course contents
Day 1
Character design preparations
INPUT
Students - figure sketches (ideally turn-around, paif of poses and expressions), which they to later rig up
OUTPUT
Students acquire all basics and necessary information for proper clean-up, beginning together, completion at home.
Course
- Usual pipeline of a TV series and where we are in it.
- What does a typical Toon Boom figure rig look like - lighting basics for designing.
o - joints
o - divisions
o - What to avoid
o - Basic poses
- Types of rigs
o - vectors - full deformation rig
o - vectors with textures
o - Bitmaps from Photoshop
o - Drawn up animation (combination cut-out and drawings)
- Clean-up
o - import of modelsheet and setting the scene
o - Lighting workflow and beginning practice with the figure
- Questions
Day 2
Basics and Fundamentals of rigging
OUTPUT
We understand what the structure of a complex rig is - up close we investigate some rigs and go through the basic devices for rigging.
Course
- Introduction
- Basic rules for rigging - rig and style
o Simplicity
o Animation style
o Animators and experience / inexperienced team
o Time
- Examples of complete rigs
o Breakdown, division into layers and description of individual parts
o Together we test and investigate completed rigs
o Exercise - animation of a complex rig for structure understanding
- Introduction to the structure of a rigged figure - devices
o Exercise of individual devices
o Pegs
o Rigging tools
o Cutters
o Color override
o Pivots
o Paste special
o Parenting
o Composits
o Art layers, Sync layers
o FK - IK
o Simple design rig
o Arm rig
Day 3
Rigging one's figure
INPUT
Students - Finished figure clean-up
OUTPUT
We begin to rig up our design
Course
- Detailed explanation of workflow
- Feedback on completed design turn-arounds
- Working on a rig with on-going consultations
Day 4
Rigging one's figure - completion, animation test, templates. Possible more complex rigs completed at home. Rigging tests (according to available time)
OUTPUT
According to available time, completion of our rigs, essentially an exercise / rigging test for working in the studio or animation test with a finished design
Course
- How to properly test a rig
- Completion types and tricks
- Templates
- Rigging entry test for the studio and fundamental exercise.
Recommended or required reading
Toon Boom white papers
https://www.toonboom.com/resources/white-papers
Toon Boom Journeys design + rigging
https://learn.toonboom.com/journeys
Richard Williams: Animator´s survival kit
Assessment methods and criteria
Participation, 2 credits
Note
This module is intended for the second or possibly the third year of bachelor study at the FAMU Animatiion Dept.
Schedule for winter semester 2018/2019:
|
06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
|
|
|---|---|
| Mon |
|
| Tue |
|
| Wed |
|
| Thu |
|
| Fri |
|
| Date | Day | Time | Tutor | Location | Notes | No. of paralel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00–19:00 | Ondřej JAVORA | Room No. 416 Lažanský palác |
parallel1 |
Schedule for summer semester 2018/2019:
The schedule has not yet been prepared
The subject is a part of the following study plans
- Animation - Bachelor - 1718 (optional subject)
- Animation - Master - 1718 (optional subject)
- Animation - Master - 1718 (optional subject)