MBI Graduate program: ME:120.728

Advanced 3D Animation

Offered: Spring and Summer Term, First Year
Instructors: David Rini, Professor, Lead Instructor
Donny Bliss, Assistant Professor
Credits: 3 credit hours

summary

Building on the foundations established in the Introduction to 3D course, students are guided through the creation of an advanced animation using Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe After Effects. Course content covers all aspects of production, including Topic Development, Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production phases. This course emphasizes a thorough animation workflow, enabling students to produce polished, professional-quality results.

Course Description

Objectives

  • Topic Development: Concept development and pitch proposal.
  • Pre-Production: Research, scriptwriting, narration, audio editing, storyboarding, and animatic creation.
  • Production: Advanced modeling, texturing, lighting, and camera animation (cinematography).
  • Post-Production: Rendering, post-process effects, and compositing in Adobe After Effects.

Resources

Instructional Materials:

    • In-class and pre-recorded video demonstrations.
    • Online tutorials via Cineversity (Maxon) and LinkedIn Learning (Johns Hopkins Enterprise account)

Tools and Software:

    • Mac Studio Pro computers with dual monitors, including Apple Cinema Display.
    • MaxonOne licenses with Cinema 4D and Redshift render software
    • Stylus-based input devices (e.g., Wacom tablets).

    Assignments

    Students will progress through each stage of the production workflow on their chosen topic. Instruction will be delivered through a mix of lectures, demonstrations, guest presentations, tutorials, in-class exercises, and independent work. By the end of the course, students will have created a script, storyboards, mood boards, animatic, and a completed final animation.

    Student Evaluations

    Students will be evaluated and graded based on class attendance/participation, effort, and effective problem solving, as well as the successful completion and quality of the assignments. Students are expected to dedicate class time to working in 3D, additional out of class work time will be required for assignments and tutorials.

    Schedule

    Refer to 1st year calendars and syllabi.

    Student Artwork

    Gallery of 3D Animation

    The health and wellness of students are of utmost importance to us here at Johns Hopkins. If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, or other wellbeing-related concerns, please consider contacting Mental Health Services at 410-955-1892 or one of the other wellness resources within Student Health and Well-Being. If you are concerned about a friend, please encourage that person to seek out support. If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance for a mental health concern, please call the Behavioral Health Crisis Support Team at 410-516-9355.

    Students who would like to request disability-based accommodations should contact the Disabilities Service Coordinator, Ellen Kaplan, at [email protected] or complete the online accommodations application. Documentation guidelines are provided on the application.