Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUFANM501A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Create 3D digital character animation

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUFANM501A - Create 3D digital character animation
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create 3D digital character animation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Character animators working in 3D animation studios and games companies create character animations for film, television, interactive media products, stand-alone animated sequences and games. Typically, they follow a brief from a director, animation director or lead animator, and refer to established designs, layouts and models when creating the movements that will appear on screen. They may also have been responsible for creating the 3D models that are being animated.A feel for movement and timing is necessary to produce convincing animation, and character animators need creative and artistic qualities, along with the appropriate technical skills. Observational skills and a feel for acting are also important. Even though animators at this level work with a fair degree of autonomy, they are members of a production team and must be able to take direction and communicate clearly with colleagues.Animations are created using a range of industry-current software that is constantly evolving, so it is essential that people working in this area keep up to date with the latest software.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites CUFANM302A Create 3D digital animations
Competency Field Visual communication - animation and digital effects
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Clarify work requirements
  • With reference to production documentation, determine requirements and purpose for 3D digital character animation
  • In consultation with relevant personnel, determine work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met
  • Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which 3D digital character animations are being created
       
Element: Prepare to create 3D digital character animation
  • Gather and analyse reference materials to assist in the animation of the characters
  • Examine the models to be animated to determine the most appropriate animation techniques
  • Identify and develop skills with the controls of character rigs to be used
  • Analyse audio supplied for animations as required
  • Create thumbnail sketches of key poses required
  • Act out shot and make notes on timing of actions or record to video for later reference
  • Select the most suitable combination of animation techniques
       
Element: Create 3D digital character animation
  • Animate first pass, applying relevant animation principles and experimenting with techniques to produce the required creative effects
  • Submit first pass to relevant personnel for comment on whether requirements have been met
  • Make adjustments as required and refine animation in passes until production requirements are met
  • Animate facial features and lip-syncing to match audio and design requirements, ensuring that animation principles are taken into account
  • Create secondary animations as required
       
Element: Finalise projects
  • Submit final character animations in agreed output format to relevant personnel by agreed deadline
  • Finalise projects according to enterprise procedures, e.g. making back-up copies of files and completing workplace documentation
  • Participate in project evaluations and contribute ideas and suggestions about ways to improve future projects
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

creation of 3D digital character animation that:

demonstrates appropriate application of animation principles, such as correct use of timing and weight, squash and stretch, movement in arcs, anticipation and follow-through, overlapping action and exaggeration

meets design requirements

demonstrates attention to detail

collaborative approach to work

ability to meet deadlines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a selection of industry-current software as listed in the range statement

access to simulated or real production situations that require 3D digital character animations

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance

evaluation of a range of 3D digital animated characters created by the candidate to determine ability to animate characters in different ways

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBCRT402A Collaborate in a creative process

CUFANM503A Design animation and digital visual effects.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret creative concepts and briefs

use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation when writing

interpret information in software user manuals and help features

work as a member of a production team, both independently on assignment and under direction

respond positively to constructive feedback from other team members

initiative and enterprise in the context of:

developing original, innovative and creative approaches to 3D character animation

experimenting with animation to develop a creative sustained vision

extending creative boundaries for self and audience

finding creative solutions to problems identified during the process of 3D character animation

locating and using resources to broaden own creative experience

technical skills sufficient to:

use appropriate software to develop 3D character animation

apply the principles and elements of animation, communication, screen and visual design to produce 3D character animation

create 3D character animation in appropriate formats for required delivery platforms

manage files and directories using standard naming conventions and version control protocols

self-management and planning skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

plan animation in a logical and cohesive way

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

learning in the context of improving performance/product through self-reflection and reworking after feedback

Required knowledge

animation techniques and principles

screen principles

principles of visual design and communication

acting principles in the context of animating facial expressions and body movements to produce convincing animation

industry knowledge, including:

roles and responsibilities of project team members in the relevant industry sector

sound understanding of the relationship between the technical and creative aspects and requirements of productions in which character animation is being used

issues and challenges that arise in the context of creating 3D digital character animation

OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Production documentation may include:

animatics

storyboard

technical specifications.

Requirements may include:

assets for integration

collaboration with other team members

creative expectations

design specifications

output format

technical specifications

timelines.

Purpose of 3D digital character animation may be for:

interactive digital media products, e.g.:

games

e-learning resources

digital simulations

virtual worlds

television and film production.

Relevant personnel may include:

animation director

director

head of department

producer

project manager

storyboard artist

supervisor

technical director

other technical/specialist personnel.

Software may include:

3D, e.g.:

3D Studio Max

Maya

Softimage

Lightwave

Motionbuilder

Face Robot

graphics, e.g.:

Photoshop

Illustrator.

Productions may include:

animated productions

commercials

documentaries

feature films

filmed events or performances

interactive digital media products:

e-learning resources

games

promotional/informational products

music videos

short films

television productions

training or promotional videos/DVDs.

Delivery platforms may include:

broadcast television

CD

DVD

feature film

games

internet

kiosk

mobile phone

PDA (personal digital assistant)

other digital devices.

Reference materials may include:

books

direct observation of actions

DVDs ('making ofs')

still images

videos.

Animation techniques may include:

dynamic simulation

hybrid method

layered animation

motion capture

pose-to-pose animation

scripted animation

straight ahead animation.

Animation principles may include:

anticipation

asymmetry in body and facial poses

balanced poses

exaggeration

movement in arcs

overlapping actions and follow-through

pacing/timing

secondary actions

singularity of message

squash and stretch

staging

strong silhouette in poses

weight.

Secondary animations may include:

cloth simulations

hair simulations

other finer details that require dynamic simulations or keyframe animation.

Output formats may include:

AVI

IFF

JPEG

MPEG

PNG

Quicktime

Targa

TIFF.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
With reference to production documentation, determine requirements and purpose for 3D digital character animation 
In consultation with relevant personnel, determine work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met 
Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which 3D digital character animations are being created 
Gather and analyse reference materials to assist in the animation of the characters 
Examine the models to be animated to determine the most appropriate animation techniques 
Identify and develop skills with the controls of character rigs to be used 
Analyse audio supplied for animations as required 
Create thumbnail sketches of key poses required 
Act out shot and make notes on timing of actions or record to video for later reference 
Select the most suitable combination of animation techniques 
Animate first pass, applying relevant animation principles and experimenting with techniques to produce the required creative effects 
Submit first pass to relevant personnel for comment on whether requirements have been met 
Make adjustments as required and refine animation in passes until production requirements are met 
Animate facial features and lip-syncing to match audio and design requirements, ensuring that animation principles are taken into account 
Create secondary animations as required 
Submit final character animations in agreed output format to relevant personnel by agreed deadline 
Finalise projects according to enterprise procedures, e.g. making back-up copies of files and completing workplace documentation 
Participate in project evaluations and contribute ideas and suggestions about ways to improve future projects 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUFANM501A - Create 3D digital character animation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUFANM501A - Create 3D digital character animation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: