Grooming For Feature Animation
Grooms can be an extension of the model and design on many animated characters. Given that many animation studios use their own proprietary software, it’s not enough simply to know how to use hair grooming software. In this class, I’ll teach you to see key character design details, execute and improve upon those design details in the groom, problem solve in 3D, and tell the story of the character. This class is set up to mimic a studio environment, from design kickoff and routine reviews, all with the goal of having a feature film quality groom ready at the end. Throughout the course, students will learn how to make an animated feature film quality groom, get familiar with the review style and working cadence at a studio, and learn how to troubleshoot in 3D grooming software and hair shaders. By the end of the course, students should have a high quality portfolio piece.
Please note: students should come into the course with some grooming knowledge and a preferred software to work in. The emphasis of the course will not be on any particular software, but on getting an artistic result using the tools.
Grooming principles covered in this course can be translated to any grooming software; the primary grooming software used in the lecture videos will be Houdini.
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
Apr 24, 2024 -
Jul 15, 2024
Course Start
Jul 06, 2024
Course Format
Standard (recorded lectures, individual recorded feedback)
Skills Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Duration
8 weeks
Q&A
Once a week
Feedback
Individual recordings
Lecture Type
Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 10-15 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
Previous experience in hair grooming and access to hair grooming software like Xgen, Houdini. Recommended courses: Stylized Characters in 3D
MATERIALS
Grooming Software of Choice: Xgen, Houdini, Blender (lectures will be done in Houdini 19). Rendering Software of choice: Arnold, Renderman, Redshift; Unity or Unreal
The more you know, the better.
Week #1
Design Kickoff
Class syllabus overview | Starting your character groom | Gathering reference | Planning ahead (design? grooming software? rendering
software?)
Week #2
Block In Your Groom
Setting up UVs | Creating masks for density maps and operators | Setting up hair guides
Week #3
Set Up A Shader
Hair shader basics | What is lighting looking for? | Understanding three point lighting set up and what to look for in your hair shader
Week #4
Setting Up Hair Operators
How to think about hair operators | Troubleshooting your groom
Week #5
First Review
How to present your work to a production designer or a director | Understanding drawovers and feedback
Week #6
Setting Up Your Groom For An Animated Performance
How to groom for an animated performance | Working with rigging and animation | Refining your guides and operators | How to deliver a groom to simulation
Week #7
Working Week
Creating portfolio level pieces | Grooming in a studio environment | Creating grooms for an animated population
Week #8
Final Review
How to bring work back to a production designer or a director | Refining your final presentation | Preparing your model for lighting
Student Gallery
Bringing out the best in talent
LECTURES BY
Ethan Dean
Course Start: Jul 06, 2024
Ethan Dean is a Character Shading and Grooming artist at Pixar Animation Studios. In his time at Pixar he’s helped make characters on Coco, Toy Story 4, Soul, Turning Red, and Lightyear. Before Pixar, he worked as a look development artist for commercials and short films at Psyop and Moonbot. Ethan is passionate about making art with great collaborators. The best art is never done alone.
Instructor's Gallery
PRICING SCHEDULE
Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.
3x Payments
$249.67
2x Payments
$374.50
Full payment
$749
Summer TERM REGISTRATION
Now Open
Apr 24, 2024 -
Jul 15, 2024
COURSE BEGINS on Jul 06, 2024
What makes this learning experience unique?
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.
LIFETIME ACCESS
Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.
CERTIFICATION
Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.
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