Project 1: Character Interacting with Prop

Due 4/3

For this project, you will animate a provided character picking up and interacting with a simple object that you design, texture, rig and model.

This project will be divided into sections:

Part 1: Model and Texture a Simple Prop.
     The prop should be an object with flat color textures.
     The object can have moving parts, including but not limited to:  A piece extending, such as a beam coming out of a light saber, or a piece that spins. 

Part 2: Create simple rig for the prop.

Part 3: Create a short acting animation piece with a provided character model/rig, interacting with your prop.

Part 4:  Add lights, set up your camera and render the scene.


Rubric
The project will have checkpoints throughout, but everything will be due on April 3.  The project's grade is broken down into the following categories:

Prop:  How well-modeled is the object?  How is the edge flow?  Is the object overly basic, or overly complicated with too many edge loops?  Are there any problems or mistakes with the textures? 

Animation:  Does the character show weight when they're interacting with the prop?  Is the animation snappy?  Does the character show appeal?

Technical:  Is there any popping or errors in the animation?  Are there any problems with the way the prop interacts with the character? Is the rig functional?  Does it feel like it's in the character's hand?


Recommendations
The heavier the object is, the more your character will need to show weight in order to pick it up and use it.

It is possible to use an object that the character tosses, changes hands (or changes what part of the body the object is attached to, such as the head, but it is rigging challenging because it requires building in parent constraints (or multiple instances of the object with visibility/invisibility switches).  It's allowed, but not required.


Student Examples