3D Computer Graphics and Animation
Introduction to using Blender

• Even if you don’t want to work for Pixar or DreamWorks, CG images and animations are a great way to convey ideas in any field!
• In this workshop you will learn about 3D Computer Graphics concepts and skills such as modeling and animation. 
• We will apply these skills using Blender (the popular free open source 3D creation suite) to make models / animations that can be used in your SHAD project presentations.

Schedule

2:30 - Intro

2:35 - Demos

2:38 - Project Planning

2:45 - Concepts

2:47 - Interface & Basics

3:05 - Modelling Techniques

3:40 - Break

3:45 - Materials & Lighting

4:00 - Animation

4:45 - Break

4:50 - Project Work & Additional Topics (by demand)

• Particle Systems: effect useful for smoke, fire, etc.
• Static Particles: Make hair, fur, grass
• UV Mapping: Unwrap a mesh and map an image on to it
• Texture painting: Paint directly on to a mesh
• Armatures: Skeletons that control and deform meshes. Used for rigging characters for posing and animation
• Non-Linear Animation: Create action blocks for armatures
• Shape Keys: Used for facial animation & lip synching
• Sculpting: Another way to model, or to add hi res details to models. Great for organics. Can "bake" the details on to a displacement map image and apply it to a lower res version of the model.
• Retopo: a neat tool for changing the topology of a model (to make it more animation friendly).
• Wave Effect: Useful for creating animated oceans or flapping flags
• Array Modifier: A patterning method useful for animation
• Sequence Editor: built in video editing tool
• Game Engine: Use blender's internal game engine to create interactive demos
• Material Node Editor: More flexible & advanced material editing tool

5:30 - End! Go to Dinner