L3 Games Design HA12 Marionette

1. Assignment brief
Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games
Design
Unit number and title L3 Unit 67 3D Animation - Partial
Start date 20th
April 2015
Deadline 19th
June 2015
Assessor name Harry Arnold
Assignment title HA12 – Marionette
The purpose of this assignment is for you to:
Be able to devise a 3D animation
Be able to create a 3D animation following industry practice.
Scenario
The job of a 3D game animator is to interpret a game artist’s vision for a character or object and build the poses/actions/motions
required within the gameplay. The technical team will then fit this action into the fabric of the game.
As a freelance games designer you need to demonstrate your knowledge of the whole production process, regardless of which area
becomes your specialism. To develop your portfolio in preparation for higher education or employment, you are going to devise
either an original third-person character run cycle or collision-based object sequence (vehicle/weapon etc.) using the animation
techniques introduced to you in the supplied NewTek LightWave tutorials. You may use found assets, those that you have created
yourself or a combination of both.
This is your opportunity as part of the EGI team to apply the knowledge and skills you have developed in completing:
Unit 66 – 3D Modelling
Assignment HA4 3D The Basics - where you wrote an online article that discussed the theory and applications of 3D.
Assignment HA5 Sidekick - where you devised, designed and built a robotic companion.
Unit 68 – 3D Environments
Assignment HA11 Hidden Places - where you devised, designed and built a game environment.
Work to be submitted
Schedule
Research
Ideas Generation
Storyboard
Ethical/H&S Sign-off
Production Log
Evaluation
Tasks Grading

2. Criteria
Mapping
Tasks in this assignment may have additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 67’s Moodle course and all
evidence produced by you must be correctly labelled and posted to your blog.
Task 1 – Schedule
The stimulus for this assignment is your own professional development material; your portfolio. You need to manage
your time carefully and account for your actions.
Devise and complete a schedule for the project. This will help you allocate enough time for each task and hit the
deadline. Your schedule will need to be reviewed and updated at least once per week.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P2, M2, D2
Task 2 – Research
Having completed the rigging and dynamics tutorials, carry out visual and written research into examples of 3D
gameplay animation and 3D assets for inspiration. Remember that you are not required to create the assets you are
going to use within your sequence. Cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual.
Set up a production log for the assignment. This will be used to chart the design process you follow as you work through
the assignment. You will need to update this at least once per week and include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-
shots from the software you are using.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P2, M2, D2
Task 3 – Ideas Generation
Taking into consideration the research and the software experiments you have made, generate a wide range of ideas for
your sequence. Remember that this is about generating many ideas quickly and not about producing great artwork. This
task can be carried out using specific mind-mapping or design software, or by hand and then scanned or photographed,
BUT cite any sources you have used in your ideas generation, both written and visual. Update your production log.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P2, M2, D2
Task 4 – Storyboard
Choose your strongest idea and develop it into a storyboard treatment. Work quickly and simply, but make sure that you
are clear and concise. Annotate and use symbols to describe action. It is really important that you indicate the timing of
each section in both seconds and frames. Thinking the timing through carefully will not only help you to keep within the
timeframe given to you, but will also help you to give your sequence rhythm. If you need to adapt it or refine it, then
produce another. The test is whether you could give your storyboard to someone else within a team to guide them in
producing the sequence. Update your production log.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P2, M2, D2
Task 5 – Ethical/H&S Sign-off
Ensure that your planned sequence has been checked for decency, representation of race, gender religion and sexuality
and has met an appropriate standard. Devise, sign and date a checklist.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P2, M2, D2
Task 6 – Production
Build your 3D gameplay animation by following your plans carefully using NewTek Modeler and Layout. You will need to
review which assets are available to you and which you want to create for yourself or adapt. This is usually the most
challenging part of the project management life cycle, because unexpected things crop up, new problems arise and
perhaps even new goals become necessary. Remember to chart your progress carefully within your production log and
monitor your time via the schedule. Use screenshots to explain your use of the software – animation techniques,
camera, lighting, texturing and rendering.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P3, M3, D3

3. Task 7 – Post-production
Render out your completed sequence, upload it to your YouTube account and publish it to your
blog.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D animation showing creativity and
flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P3, M3, D3
Task 8 - Review
Write an illustrated evaluation of your project following feedback. Reflect on the finished product against your original
intentions and your production skills from start to finish. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has met
the brief’s requirements. Your production log will be very useful in reviewing the product.
This is your opportunity to not only show that you have fully understood the process of working to the brief, but also
that you can look forward to how you can use what you have learnt in the future.
Remember that you are trying to create 3D animation to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards
following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 67
P3, M3, D3
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Assessor
Signature Date
Internal verifier
Signature Date
Unit 67 3D Animation
P1 summarise accurately theory and
applications of 3D with some
appropriate use of subject
terminology.
[IE]
M1 explain theory and applications of
3D with reference to detailed
illustrative examples and with
generally correct use of subject
terminology.
D1 comprehensively explain theory
and applications of 3D with elucidated
examples and consistently using
subject terminology correctly.
P2 generate outline ideas for 3D
animation working within appropriate
conventions and with some
assistance.
[CT; SM]
M2 generate detailed ideas for 3D
animation showing some imagination
and with only occasional assistance.
D2 generate thoroughly thought
through ideas for 3D animation
showing creativity and flair and
working independently to professional
expectations.
P3 create 3D animation following
industry practice, working within
appropriate conventions and with
some assistance.
[CT; SM; RL]
M3 create 3D animation to a good
technical standard following industry
practice, showing some imagination
and with only occasional assistance.
D3 create 3D animation to a technical
quality that reflects near-professional
standards following industry practice,
showing creativity and flair and
working independently to professional
expectations.
:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,
learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate
effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.