CUFANM302A Create 3D digital animations

Revision Number: 1

CUFANM302A Create 3D digital animations

Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor	This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to animate simple 3D models and create 3D animations. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the Unit

Application of the unit	This unit requires the application of basic 3D animation skills to create animations for inclusion in interactive media products, short stand-alone animated sequences and basic games. At this level, animators are working with 3D digital models that have already been created. Animated sequences may include audio components. Animations are created using a range of industry-current software that is constantly evolving, so it is essential that people working in this area keep up to date with the latest software. This unit does not include techniques for stop-motion, cell-analogue and real time animation. Nor does it cover more sophisticated animation techniques used in film, television and high-end games. These are addressed in: CUFANM501A Create 3D digital character animation CUFANM502A Create 3D digital environments.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Prerequisite units

Employability Skills Information

Employability skills	This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Clarify animation requirements	1. With reference to production documentation, clarify 3D animation requirements and design specifications in consultation with relevant personnel 2. Examine the models to be animated to determine the most appropriate animation techniques 3. Identify the file format and delivery platform for animated sequences 4. Identify factors that may influence animation design approach 5. In consultation with relevant personnel, clarify work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met
Plan approach	6. Research animations, artworks and other creative sources that may inspire visual design ideas 7. Generate a range of animation ideas that are technically feasible, respond to briefs and provide creative solutions to all design issues 8. Present animation ideas to relevant personnel using appropriate design techniques. 9. Adjust approach to incorporate feedback and agree on final design concepts 10. Discuss and select 3D animation software with relevant personnel to ensure that animated sequences meet specified outcomes 11. Analyse audio assets supplied for animations as required
Produce animated sequences for review	12. Create 3D animations using animation techniques to suit design requirements 13. Apply basic animation principles, screen principles, visual design principles and communication principles 14. Apply real world camera techniques to virtual cameras used in 3D animation 15. Render completed animated sequences 16. Save and store animated sequences using appropriate output file formats, standard naming conventions and version control protocols 17. Present 3D animated sequences to relevant personnel for evaluation by agreed deadlines
Finalise animated sequences	18. Review animated sequences to assess creative solutions to design briefs, appropriateness to users/audience and technical feasibility 19. Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or modifications and complete changes as required

Required Skills and Knowledge

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to: interpret and clarify written or verbal instructions work as a member of a production team, both independently on assignment and under direction respond constructively to feedback received from other team members complete workplace documentation conceptual and creative skills in the context of: generating feasible ideas for animated sequences having a feel for movement and timing in order to produce convincing animations maintaining design integrity technical skills sufficient to: use industry-current animation software to develop digitally animated sequences apply the principles of basic screen, visual design and communication to produce 3D animated sequences output 3D animated sequences in appropriate file formats for a range of delivery platforms manage files and directories using standard naming conventions and version control protocols self-management and planning skills sufficient to: prioritise work tasks meet deadlines seek expert assistance when problems arise
Required knowledge
roles and responsibilities of project team members in the relevant industry sector basic understanding of the stages in the production process from initial design through to finished product issues and challenges that arise in the context of creating 3D digital animations basic 3D digital animation techniques basic screen principles principles of animation principles of visual design and communication features of a range of delivery platforms OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Evidence of the following is essential: creation of 3D digital animated sequences that: demonstrate the principles of basic screen, visual design and communication meet the technical requirements of specific platforms satisfy the design brief and client requirements collaborative approach to work attention to detail ability to meet production deadlines.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure: access to a range of resources, equipment and current industry-current software as listed in the range statement where sound is integrated in animated sequences, access to a range of suitable software to support the integration of sound and visual elements access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.
Method of assessment	A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence, authenticated show reels and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance critical analysis of a range of 3D digital animated sequences created by the candidate to determine ability to meet design requirements written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit informal questioning and discussion, including response to feedback and diagnostics.
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUFANM303A Create 3D digital models CUFDIG303A Produce and prepare photo images CUFDIG304A Create visual design components CUFSOU301A Prepare audio assets.

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Production documentation may include	animatics brief storyboard technical specifications.
3D animations may include:	3D elements 3D panoramas basic games buttons characters illustrations logos models morphs/blend shapes puzzles simulated sequences text titles and credits.
Design specifications may include:	characters and objects key frames objects references samples script storyboard technical specifications, including: output file format version control protocols output file size operating system hardware specifications, including memory size, RAM delivery platform media form.
Relevant personnel may include:	3D modeller 3D producer animation director audio asset creator director graphic artist/designer instructional designer lead animator matte painter system support personnel other technical and specialist personnel.
Animation techniques may include:	acceleration/deceleration audio integration dynamic simulation hierarchies hinges and pivot points hybrid method key frames layered animation looping backgrounds morphing/object exaggeration motion capture motion paths pose to pose animation registration points rotation scripted animation speed/motion blur straight-ahead animation.
File formats may include:	AAS ACT ANI ANM ANS AVI AWA AWM CEL CFT CMV DIR/DCR FLA/SWF FLC FLI FLX GIF HTML IFF JPEG LWOB M3D MMM MOV MPEG MWF PNG QTVR SEC TIFF VAN VUE.
Delivery platforms may include:	CD DVD film games console internet kiosk mobile phone or device PDA (personal digital assistant) video.
Factors may include:	budget purpose of animation resources target audience timelines.
Design techniques may include:	digitally generated illustrations of objects and/or characters freehand sketches fully rendered hand-drawn illustrations story trees storyboards.
Animation software may include:	3D Studio Max Cinema 4D Houdini Lightwave Maya Motionbuilder Soft Image - XSI.
Audio assets may include:	music narration sound effects.
Animation principles may include:	anticipation asymmetry in body and facial poses balanced poses exaggeration movement in arcs overlapping actions and follow-through pacing/timing secondary actions singularity of message squash and stretch staging strong silhouette in poses weight.
Screen principles may include:	camera techniques editing, including basic transitions framing lighting montage narrative story-telling style/genre.
Visual design principles may include:	balance composition emphasis movement perspective proportion scale unity.
Communication principles may include:	communicating the message conveying meaning meeting audience requirements using functional components.

Unit Sector(s)

Unit sector

Competency field

Competency field	Visual communication - animation and digital effects

Co-requisite units

Co-requisite units