Creating CG Feature Animations with Open Source AI and Design Tools

The objective of this 800-hour curriculum is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to create CG feature animations using open source AI and design tools. The curriculum will cover all the aspects of CG animation, from script writing to final rendering, and students will be expected to develop a strong foundation in all the relevant technical areas.
Through this course, students will learn to use AI tools to speed up the animation production process and create realistic and stunning animations.

Introducing AI to traditional workflows
With the increasing demand for high-quality CG feature animations, there is a need for artists and animators who are skilled in the use of open source AI and design tools. This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create CG feature animations using these tools, and to explore the potential of AI and other emerging technologies in the field. By working collaboratively in a team, students will also develop important interpersonal skills that are essential for success in the creative industries.

Course curriculum:
 The 800-hour CG feature animation course will be delivered over a period of 20 weeks, with classes held for 40 hours each week. The following is a breakdown of the time table for the course:
 
Weeks 1-2: Introduction to CG Feature Animation
 During the first two weeks of the course, students will be introduced to the basic concepts and principles of CG feature animation. This will include an overview of the course, an introduction to the software and tools that will be used throughout the program, and an overview of the CG feature animation production pipeline. Students will also begin working on their first project, which will involve creating a simple 3D model using Blender AI.
Weeks 3-4: Character Design and Modeling
 In weeks 3 and 4, students will be introduced to the principles of character design and modeling. This will include an overview of the design process, character anatomy, and the basics of 3D modeling. Students will also be introduced to the Midjourney software tool, which will be used for character design. During this section, students will work on designing and modeling their own original characters.
Weeks 5-6: Environment Design and World Building
 During weeks 5 and 6, students will learn about environment design and world building. This will include an introduction to mood board creation, environmental storytelling, and the creation of assets for use in environments. Students will also begin to work on designing and building their own environments using Blender AI.
Weeks 7-8: Special Effects and Simulation
 In weeks 7 and 8, students will learn about special effects and simulation. This will include an introduction to Stable Diffusion software tool, which will be used for creating special effects. Students will work on adding special effects to their characters and environments.
Weeks 9-10: Crowd Scene and Motion Capture
 In weeks 9 and 10, students will learn about crowd scenes and motion capture. This will include an introduction to the Point-E and PifuHD software tools, which will be used for motion capture and facial expression transfer. Students will work on adding motion capture to their characters and creating a crowd scene.
Weeks 11-12: Sound Design and Video Compositing
In weeks 11 and 12, students will learn about sound design and video compositing. This will include an introduction to sound design principles and the use of sound in animation, as well as an introduction to the Kdenlive software tool, which will be used for video compositing and editing. Students will work on creating their own sound design and integrating it into their final project.
Weeks 13-14: Texture, Lighting, and Rendering
In weeks 13 and 14, students will learn about texture, lighting, and rendering. This will include an introduction to texture creation and editing using Krystal Office+(GIMP, Krita, and Inkscape,), as well as an introduction to lighting and rendering in Blender AI. Students will work on adding textures, lighting, and rendering to their final project.
Weeks 15-16: Final Graduation Project
During the final two weeks of the course, students will work on their final graduation project. This will involve using all the skills and tools they have learned throughout the program to create a high-quality CG feature animation. Students will be required to submit a completed project that meets certain quality standards, which will be outlined in the project guidelines.
Throughout the course, students will have access to additional resources and materials, such as video tutorials and online forums, to support their learning and development. The course will also include regular assessments and feedback to help students track their progress and identify areas where they need to improve.