Programming Concepts for Visual Effects
Vsfx705


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Visual Effects Challenges and Assignments

    Python Challenge: Particles [due session 7]  
    Python Assignment: Particles User Interface [due session 11]
    Python Assignment: Matrix [due session 11]  
    Python Assignment: Maya User Interface [due session 17]
    Matrix Animation [due session 20]
    Final student presentations - session 20

Assessment

Assignments

  • completion exercises - pass/fail
  • projects - letter grade

Portfolio

  • web based "work-in-progress"
  • presents all the images/notes produced during the course
  • links to other work
Web Portfolio

Purpose

The on-line portfolio of work that you will produce over the next 10 weeks will become a valuable resource that can support your future applications for internships. An outstanding portfolio will show that you are developing advanced technical skills and a professional personal aesthetic. It will provide detailed information about your experimentations, explorations and approach to solving problems related to visual effects.

Refer to the selected works of previous vsfx705 students for examples of the best portfolios produced since 2003.


week 1
 

Assessments

  • challenges - pass/fail
  • assignments - letter grade

Portfolio

  • web based "work-in-progress"
  • presents the technical breakdowns produced during the course
  • links to other work
Session 1
Software Check & Distribution of Custom Maya Scripts

 

Topics

  • check that all required software has been installed
  • check the PATH's for Jave, Python and ffmpeg are correct
  • vsfx705.zip
  • configuring the Cutter text editor
  • editing, uploading & testing student web pages
  • CUSTOMIZATIONS.zip
                additional information customization
  • check the RenderManForMaya plugin loads properly in Maya
  • establishing a common directory structure

 

 

session 2
Python Basics I

 

Topics

  • checking the installation of the required software
  • accessing python documentation
  • executing python using Cutter
  • introduction to python datatypes and built-in functions

 

 

week 2
session 3
Python Basics II

 

Topics
  • using external modules
  • "for" loops and "if" tests
  • custom procedures
  • writing data files
  • using particles rather than small spheres
  • introduction to the first scripting challenge

 

 

session 4
Python Basics III

 

Topics
  • continue the introduction to the first scripting challenge
  • writing a Pixar RenderMan particle RIB file
  • importing a RIB file into Maya

 

Note the Particles assignment is due session 7

week 3
session 5
Python & Maya

 

Python Topics
  • introduction to using python in Maya
  • creating nParicles
  • re-using the gen_point.py script

 

session 6
Python Matrix

 

Python Topics
  • development of the technical breakdown.

 

week 4
session 7
PySide2: Maya UI

 

Final Review the particle challenge.

Topics.
  • python classes
  • classes and inheritance
  • PyQt5 and PySide2
  • creating a UI window using PySide2
  • laying out QWidgets using QHBoxLayout and QVBoxLayout
  • using QPushButton - connecting a button to an action

 

   

session 8
PySide2: Maya UI

 

Topics

 

 

week 5
session 9
PySide2: Maya UI

 

Topics

 

   

session 10
Maya Matrix

 

Topics.
  • continue development of the final version of the particle UI

 

Ensure your Particles UI breakdown is ready for review - session 11.

Collect 4 inspiration images that will guide the development of your Matrix design.

week 6
session 11
Maya Matrix

 

Final Review the Particle UI assignment.

Topics
  • preparation for the 3rd assignment - the matrix
  • creating geometry - transform & shapes node names
  • grouping geometry
  • duplicating & instancing geometry and groups of geometries
  • writing functions that return the name of a group
  • getting the xyz positions of polymesh vertices
  • using polymesh vertices to position other surfaces

 

   

session 12
Maya Matrix

 

Topics.
  • secondary geometry
  • addressing specific issues and challenges
  • ensuring the student functions allow adequate shape control

 

 

week 7
session 13
Python - Matrix UI

 

Topics.
  • lighting and look development the student matrix designs
  • development of the Matrix UI.

 

   

session 14
Python - Matrix UI

 

Topics
  • lighting and look development the student matrix designs
  • development of the Matrix UI.

 

 

week 8
session 15
Python - Matrix UI

 

Topics
  • lighting and look development the student matrix designs
  • development of the Matrix UI.

 

   

session 16
Python - Matrix UI

 

Topics
  • lighting and look development the student matrix designs
  • development of the Matrix UI.

 

 

week 9
session 17
Matrix Animation

 

Final Review of the technical breakdowns of the students Matrix UI.

Topics
  • begin preparing matrix animation assignment

 

session 18
Matrix Animation

 

Topics
  • rendering the matrix animations

 

Complete the Matrix Animation assignment ready for session 20.

week 10
session 19
Matrix Animation

 

  • rendering the matrix animations
    		•

     

     

    session 20
    Final Presentation

     

    Final Review the Matrix Animations.