Application
This unit applies to concept artists, game designers, games programmers, animators and other personnel working in the game development industry.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine 3-D character model animation requirements | 1.1 Study production documentation animation requirements for 3-D character 1.2 Determine the target environments for 3-D digital character animation 1.3 Establish required level of detail for 3-D character model animation 1.4 Determine work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met 1.5 Select software tools that best suit the production pipeline and the target game engine and platform for final export of 3-D digital character modelling and animations |
2. Create required animations using a variety of animated tools | 2.1 Determine the most efficient animation methodology 2.2 Animate first pass, applying animation principles and experimenting with techniques to produce the required movements 2.3 Submit first pass for approval to relevant personnel 2.4 Make adjustments as required and refine animation in passes until storyboard requirements are achieved 2.5 Animate facial features with lip-syncing to match audio and design requirements of approved storyboard 2.6 Create primary animations as required |
3. Finalise animations | 3.1 Submit character animations for final check to relevant personnel 3.2 Finalise projects according to production procedure |
4. Export animations | 4.1 Export animation and 3-D character model to required game engine 4.2 Test character animations in game engine 4.3 Submit final character animations to relevant personnel |
Required Skills
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse documentation and images to inform implementation of game specifications
interpret briefs, work instructions, and technical and conceptual information
communication skills to:
check and confirm design requirements
collect, interpret and communicate in visual and written forms effectively for various audiences, including engineers and artists
communicate clearly using speech and text
communicate complex designs in a structured format drawn from industry standards, styles and techniques
communicate technical requirements related to software development, graphics requirements and code development to supervisors and other team members
provide practical advice, support and feedback to colleagues and management
translate design requirements into specifications
initiative and enterprise skills to exercise a high level of creative ingenuity in 3-D design and innovation
literacy and numeracy skills to develop 3-D design and technical design documents
planning and organisational skills to:
refer decisions to a higher project authority for review and endorsement
balance talent, experience and budget
delegate tasks and responsibility appropriately
establish clear roles and goals to achieve required game development outcomes
meet project deadlines
organise equipment and resources to achieve required outcomes
organise own time to meet milestones
problem-solving skills to recognise and address potential quality issues and problems at design development stage
technical skills to:
use correct file formats and archiving procedures
resolve basic hardware, software and other technical issues associated with game production.
Required knowledge
3-D animation
3-D modelling
anatomy and physical movement
budgeting and scheduling considerations for game design
capabilities and constraints of game engines
client communication
computer game development, including specific terminology
current game-play hardware and software products
environmental impact and sustainability considerations
graph curve editor
human resources required in the process of creating a game, and their respective skills and technology requirements
methods for using reference material
OHS requirements for:
ergonomics
electrical safety
physical attributes to create effects, such as weight and anticipation
risk and critical path management
scheduling production components
shading and texturing
techniques for applying concept development skills
techniques for applying concept visualisation skills
techniques for using storyboard and script production
time management
transfer methodology, including rotoscope, hand key and motion capture.
Evidence Required
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 ability to: select correct tools to work with target game engine and platform apply animation principles develop an animated character model export animated character model to game engine test character animations in game engine. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: computer hardware, software, games engines and file storage copyright and intellectual property legislation OHS legislation and enterprise policy appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
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: review of nominated techniques applied to selected subject matter direct observation of the learner using 3-D animation software review of work activities that show research and reference sourcing to gain best modelling effect written and verbal reports or documentation showing modelling plan evaluation of functional animated 3-D character in game engine. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
Range Statement
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.
Target environments may include: | alien environments fantasy environments foreign environments historical environments natural environments, for example: mountainous jungle desert arctic post-apocalyptic environments urban environments. |
Software tools may include: | 3ds Max Blender Cinema 4D Houdini Lightwave Maya Modo XSI ZBrush. |
Game engine may include: | BigWorld Blender3D game engine custom-built with rendering engine, such as: OGRE Irrlicht Dunia Half Life Jade Quake Riot Scimitar Second Life Unreal. |
Platform may include: | arcade console platforms: Microsoft Xbox 360 Nintendo DS (hand-held) Nintendo Wii Sony PlayStation hand-held digital device platforms: Apple IIe/c/c+ Apple IIGS Blackberry BREW Flashlite Google Android Java J2ME Palm OS Sidekick Symbian WAP Windows Mobile personal computer (PC) web. |
Relevant personnel may include: | animators concept artists game-play designers graphic designers instructional designers modellers motion capture technicians other specialist staff other technical staff producers programmers project manager sound engineers team members technical director writers. |
Primary animations may include: | attacking crouching defending dying idle jumping running shooting standing throwing walking. |
Sectors
Game development
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.