Digital Imaging 100 This module provides an in-depth exploration of Adobe Photoshop, the industry standard for digital imaging. Students work on the basics of image editing, color correction, color management, preparing files for print and exporting images. Topics include working with layers, alpha channels, paths, selections and filters. Exercises prepare students for a real-world production environment.

Classical Animation 100 Students develop drawing skills while learning the principles of squash and stretch, follow-through and overlapping action, anticipation, timing, key frames, and in-betweening. Lessons in character animation and storyboarding explore the elements necessary to bring an animation to life. This course builds a foundation for 3D classes to follow.

3D Animation 100 This course begins with the basics of animating individual 3D objects. Students will explore the different methods of keyframe animating. Keying pose to pose, straight ahead, using paths, and how to edit the animation using f-curves and the dopesheet. Students will create animations that blend different techniques as needed and apply these to provided high end models.

3D Modeling 100 This course provides students with hands-on training in building 3D objects: props, buildings, and other objects essential to creating a fully realized scene. Students learn the basics of working with polygonal objects, working in consistent scale, and understanding how to manipulate faces, points, and edges. Students then create more complicated objects including vehicles, organic shapes and characters. Students will learn how to use subdivision surfaces to build the various parts that make up a humanoid character.

Life Drawing 100 Students will draw from live models and examine the anatomy, proportion, surface planes and movements of the human form. Beginning with basic gesture drawings, the student will progress to sketching detailed figure representations. The student will explore the relationship of muscle structure, skeletal structure, light and shadow, movement and form in the tangible representation of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional plane.

Production Pipeline 100 Production 100 will allow students and instructors to compile and track progress as projects evolve. Students will learn video editing techniques using Adobe Premier and how to create an animatic that will aid in timing and organizing an animation project. Production 100 will also support other courses as a means to develop project support materials.

XSI 100 This is a fundamental drawing course in which students will explore various art and media, use a variety of drawing tools, draw 3-dimensional objects in one, two, and three point perspective. Students will also study basic color theory and character design and begin the process of developing characters for their final demo reels.

2nd Semester

Digital Image Manipulation 200 The focus of DIM 200 is on Character design and 2d rendering. Students are taught the elements of good character creation and the techniques to display that work visually using the tools in photoshop. A comprehensive look at story boarding is also covered as students prepare their final project pre-production.

3D Animation 200 From simple mechanical animations the students will now focus on the basics of character animation. Giving a synthetic character "life" is the goal. Acting to dialogue, facial animation, timing, staging and strong posing will be covered in depth. Using Forward and Inverse Kinematics to pose and animate characters, students will tackle a variety of situations that they will face in the real world of being a character animator. Students will also learn the significant impact rigging plays in successful animation and what factors make for a good or bad character rig. Video Rotoscoping will be used as a visual aid to the animator . All these techniques will be presented in a production pipeline format that mirrors the real world.

3D Modeling 200 In this second, more advanced modeling module students will build upon their skills founded in modeling 100. Attention to detail will be key as students learn to build an "animation proficient" character with proper topology. Additional techniques will be introduced to add realistic detail to models and speed up modeling times. Efficient yet impressive sets and props will be incorporated with other production pipeline classes for achieving a realistic look. .

Brush Based Modeling 200 This course introduces students to the new techniques and possibilities that Mudbox and Zbrush provide. Techniques include modeling ultra high resolution meshes and then Normal mapping and/or displacing that high detail information onto lower resolution and "game ready" meshes. Zbrush's texturing tools will also be explored to provide a powerful tool for seamless textures. Students will learn how to work between these and other major 3D applications for superior results.

Maya 200 In this course, you will learn the basics of modeling, lighting, texturing and animating a scene using Maya. Students gain an understanding of the interface and workflow of Maya. Polygon modeling, UV mapping, weighting, rigging, editing animations with F-curves, inverse kinematics, as well as some advanced dynamics such as hair and cloth will be touched on. Renderman will be integrated as it becomes available.

Sculpture 200 In this course, you will learn the basics of modeling, lighting, texturing and animating a scene using Maya. Students gain an understanding of the interface and workflow of Maya. Polygon modeling, UV mapping, weighting, rigging, editing animations with F-curves, inverse kinematics, as well as some advanced dynamics such as hair and cloth will be touched on. Renderman will be integrated as it becomes available.

Lighting and Rendering with Lightwave 200 In this course, you will learn the basics of modeling, lighting, texturing and rendering a scene using Lightwave. Students will understand the interface and workflow of Lightwave, and why it is regarded as having one of the most realistic renderers in the computer graphics world. This course deals with lighting models from basic lighting to more advanced topics such as radiosity, subsurface scattering, and image-based lighting using HDRI (High Dynamic Range Images). Students will learn how to set up a scene and adjust lighting properties to create desired effects, generate realistic shadows, volumetric lights, and bounce lighting. This course is designed to give students a primer in the software in preparation for a job with a company that has Lightwave as it's primary 3D package.

Compositing and Visual Effects 200 In this course students are introduced to the world of the digital visual effects artist and the skills and techniques used in the field. How effects are created and their integration into live and CG plates will give the students a good understanding of how movie magic is achieved. Particles, mattes, color keying, tracking and stabilization, and using simple effects such as glows, flares, depth of field, and color correction to achieve a "real" look will be covered. Understanding the various methods of compositing the final result into an esthetically believable result is the goal of this course.

Production Pipeline 200 Production 200 is designed to allow students and instructors to continue to track progress of the students work. It is the hub for the work going on in all the other classes that will coordinate the integration of assignments into a final product. The class will also focus on developing the relationship the student will need to get started in the industry after graduation. Outings to mainstream studios in Vancouver and visits from top industry professionals will serve to inspire and guide students to create viable demo reels that will get them hired with the employer of their choice.

Game Design 200 Students are introduced to the field of videogame development. Game design and the components that make up a game are explained and demonstrated. Students will learn to build simple levels, animate, texture and light characters and integrate them into the game. Various gaming techniques for lighting, animating, rendering and adding visual FX to a game will be covered. Normal mapping to improve the appearance of low poly characters as well some basic scripting tips and tricks.

3rd Semester

Production Pipeline 300 Pipeline 300 is the final assembly point for student reels. All the work over the past eight months will be focused into a cohesive presentation. Any final training the students request in specialized areas will be addressed here. Mentors from the industry will help critique and coach students as they make those critical decisions that define the overall impact of your Demo Reel.)

Personal Mentoring 300 Pipeline 300 is the final assembly point for student reels. All the work over the past eight months will be focused into a cohesive presentation. Any final training the students request in specialized areas will be addressed here. Mentors from the industry will help critique and coach students as they make those critical decisions that define the overall impact of your Demo Reel.)

DVD Authoring 300 This course is the last step to getting your demo reel in a format that showcases your work. Outputting to DVD and VHS will be covered with a bias to DVDs. Understanding Interface design, compression, formats, editing and sound engineering will enable students to make a knockout original presentation that sells. Packaging and overall presentation will also be a focus of this course.

Career Management 300 Once a student leaves the nest and lands that first job they are faced with a myriad of financial decisions. This course is designed to take the mystery out of topics like:

- Getting your foot in the door of the company of your choice.
- Giving a great interview or how to sell yourself.
- Managing your student loan.
- RRSPs and how they are a benefit.
- Mortgages and why they are easier than you think.
- How to invest in stocks, GICs and mutual funds and why they make good sense.
- Starting your own company.( 15 hours )

* we reserve the right to change course content to reflect the needs of the industry.

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