It started with Star Wars, the history of CGI

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It started with Star Wars, the history of CGI

Computer generated imagery (CGI) was first used in the 1970’s with films such as Star Wars and Alien.

However, it didn’t catch on in Hollywood until the 1993 film Jurassic Park was released, with its fully integrated CGI dinosaurs. The following year, the makers of Forest Gump used CGI to simulate limb removal.  From there, CGI in film and television has become mainstream.

In 1995, the animated film industry was revolutionised when Toy Story, the first fully computer-generated film, was released.   Before Toy Story, cartoons had been drawn frame-by-frame by hand. For example, the first full length Disney feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, took approximately three to four years to design, draw, and produce.

Toy Story, on the other hand, took about a ten years from conception to release, and Pixar’s animation studios had 294 processors rendering away 24 hours a day to produce the film.

Article by Caroline Jones

3D visual cost by computer-rendering.com

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Live life in 3D at the University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich is offering a 3D-Digital Design and Animation, BA Hons at its Avery Hill Campus, covering exams, coursework and a portfolio of design project work
This course will equip graduates to work in film, TV, on computer games design and in the digital interactive media industries that specialise in computer visualisation, scenic animation, post-production and special effects.

In addition, other design related fields requiring specialist 3D skills such as product design, urban design, architecture and landscape architecture

3D digital design and animation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creativity and technical development. Animated films, television and advertising graphics, computer games, design and architectural modelling are some of the most visible products of the animation industry.

The explosive growth of the entire digital media and computer arts industries has created global demand for designers and animators, and suitably qualified professionals in this field are in high demand in the UK and abroad.

This programme deals with the technical and aesthetic aspects of 3D design and animation. It combines traditional art and design principles such as observational drawing and modelling, with the possibilities of computing and digital media.

Your studies explore design and creative thinking, form and context, animation and film, computing and technology and sound design. You are encouraged to develop highly specialised skills in these areas, in line with your own ambitions.

The School’s Department of Information Systems & Multimedia is a member of the British Design & Art Direction College Network and exhibits at the New Blood and FreeRange graduate degree shows.

The course content is as follows:

Year 1

* Creative Visualisation and Presentation
* Basic Design Principles
* Visual Studies – Drawing and Modelling
* Animation – Traditional and 3D
* Multimedia Production
* Computing and Programming for Multimedia
* Design History and Theory

Year 2

* 3D Animation
* Interactive Digital Media
* Moving Image – Film and Animation
* Digital Landscapes
* Computing and Programming for Multimedia
* Computers and Music
* Contextual Studies

Year 3

* Film Studies
* Research Project
* Digital Special Effects
* Live Briefs
* Competition Work
* Major 3D Design Project
* Portfolio Preparation
* Final Year Exhibition

Article by Caroline Jones

Architecture by computer-rendering.com

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Be a master of 3D computer rendering and animation

Bournemouth University is offering a one year full-time postgraduate course in 3D Computer Animation for October 2009/2010 at its Media School onTalbot Campus.

Key facts: Entry requirements: Qualification equivalent to a UK Honours degree, preferably in art, media or design, or if English is not your first language: IELTS 6.5 (Academic) or above.

COURSE CONTENT

Moving Image Theory - This unit contains the general image theory elements of the programme, and is shared across the taught Masters programmes. It includes lectures on digital cinematography, screenings of films and animations, lectures on art, science and technology and additional lectures by visiting speakers from the computer animation, digital effects and computer games industries. This is assessed by an essay.

Group Project - For the group project, students are asked to complete a task within a specific timeframe in a simulated production environment.  Students from all three Postgraduate courses (MA3D, MSc, Digital Effects) are asked to present a concept for a short animated piece.  This is a student led activity lasting the whole term.

Computer Animation Techniques - This unit helps students acquire practical skills and knowledge in computer animation principles and practice. Course content will be based on:

3D Disciplines
Character and Environment Modelling
Texturing
Rigging
Lighting
Animation and Motion Capture
Dynamics
Rendering
Scripting
Compositing

Animation   
Walk Cycles
Spacing and Timing
Body Mechanics 101
Overlapping action
Squash and stretch
Silhouette and appeal
Line of action
Storyboarding
Character design

Computer Animation Principles - This unit is an introduction to Computer Graphics and Animation theory, coupled with the development of practical skills. Several projects will be set during this first term including two animation projects.  The projects are essential in helping students develop their fundamental understanding of animated movement, encompassing both inanimate and character driven entities. These classes will be based on:

3D Disciplines

Pipeline 101
Project Management
FK and IK
Traditional and CG Lighting Techniques
Modelling and Deformations
Non-linear Animation Tools
Motion Capture and Crowd Systems
Photoreal and non-Photoreal Rendering

Animation  

Keys, Extremes and Breakdowns
Introduction to walks
Weight and Mass
Lip Synch
Cause and Effect
Observation exercises
Motion Studies field trip

Computer Animation Principles and Techniques - This unit aims to enable students to further develop skills and knowledge in computer animation principles and practice.

Personal Enquiry - This unit is a tutorial supported research unit, shared with the other taught Masters animation courses. This provides students with an opportunity to pursue research into areas which interest them, but may be outside of the normal parameters of the programme teaching.

Masters Project - The fourth term focuses on the Masters component, and you will be assigned a number of tutors that will help guide and facilitate your project.  This project can be either a standalone project, or a continuation of the group project.  In either case you can work alone or with other student members.

The year ends with a Computer Animation Show, which gives the students from all of the NCCA’s postgraduate courses the opportunity to showcase their work to industry professionals and potential employers, alongside friends, family, and past graduates from the course. This show is usually held in London.

Article by Caroline Jones

Computer generated images by computer-rendering.com

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