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Showing posts from September, 2010

"Sintel"

A wonderfull short independent film made by the Blender Foundation. Released just a few hours ago on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRsGyueVLvQ An amazing piace of work

Maya Hiccup WIth Texturing...

A little stuck on why this box pops up and why it wont place the dots to my dice in the correct areas.... I have redone the texutre process at least three times (with a variety of colours) and still no luck, the alpha colour channel has also been removed. Any help would be great...

Studio Finances

Based upon a 15 week production run. Commercial Licenses for key software packages: Adobe Photoshop CS5: £640 Adobe After Effects: £979 Adobe Premiere: £760 Autodesk Maya (Student Version) £150 Autodesk Maya (Commercial Upgrade) £1500 Total: £4029 Lucid Studios Staff: £7207.50 Software: £4029 Total: £11236.50 Kled Studios Staff: £11549.25 Software: £4029 Total: £15578.25 Inspire Studios Staff: £8535 Software: £4029 Total: £12564 Gremlin Box Staff: £10060 Software: £4029 Total: £14089 Creature Studios Staff: £5259.50 Software: £4029 Total: £9288.50 Void Canvas Staff: £10052.95 Software: £4029 Total: £14081.95 B3D Staff: £9648.75 Software: £4029 Total: £13677.75 Comparison List: Kled Studios: £15578.25 Gremlin Box: £14089.00 Void Canvas: £14081.95 B3D Studios: £13677.75 Inspire Studios: £12564.00 Lucid Studios: £11236.50 Creature Studios (3 Members): £9288.50

Troubles with Maya

I have gotten over my last stuggle with Maya and pertruded the faces but when it comes to UV mapping the map is all over the place and I am extremely confused as i have followed everything on the video tutorial please help :(

Sally Menke dies age 56

I forgot to post this the other day but this week sees the sad death of Sally Menke. Menke has become famous as one of the best editors in the business (editor for Quentin Tarrantino, from Reservoir Dogs to Inglourious Basterds) and all those second years will be familiar with her after watching the cutting edge documentary on editing. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8031463/Quentin-Tarantino-editor-dies-during-LA-heatwave.html

Maya 2011- Mac Hotkeys?

I copied the Hot-key information from hot-key editor in Maya 2011, as i'm doing it on a Mac i'm not sure if these are the Mac version of Hot-keys or just a general all user friendly set but incase anybody wanted them, I made them into a jpeg.

Need Help Referencing

I have just been getting quote of different site and I have been looking at the Havrard Ref and it says I need the following: (Jones, 2009) and in bibliography Jones, J. (2009) Tracey Emin is far from a narcissist. In: The Guardian [online] Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2009/jun/15/tracey-emin-drawings-white-cube (Accessed on 26/07/09) The problem is on two quotes one doesn't have the author and date and the other doesn't have the date it was written. In this circumstance what would I do?

Perception? Maybe?

I know for the perception class we were all split into groups, I also got the impression if you went last thursday, you dont need to go to this weeks class? Is this correct? I think this is the correct timetable: http://www.myuca.ucreative.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=null&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_13677_1%26url%3D Any help will be appreciated, thanks... Ben

CGAA Graduate shortlisted for Anifest 2010 Competition!

Exciting news! David 'Class of 2010' Keefe has just had his animated short 'An Audience With' shortlisted for the Anifest Animation competition and will have his film screened as part of the event on Saturday, October 9th. Dave Keefe graduated with a First Class honours degree from CGAA and was part of the group of graduates who won 'Best Stand' at New Designers 2010. I know a number of students have volunteered to work at the event, but it would be great if the CGAA community could descend en masse and show their support for 'one of our own'. CGAA is sponsoring a screening of The Gruffalo and Daryl Shute, producer of the BBC's cg adaptation of the ever-popular children's book, will be introducing it. For more Anifest info and ticket prices go here. Meanwhile, for your viewing pleasure: Dave Keefe's 'An Audience With' And while I've got your attention, I thought I'd showcase two more of Dave's animated shorts produ

CGAA Year One - IMPORTANT INFORMATION - ASSESSMENT

Further to the information given during your Induction Week Presentation, here are the guidelines for assessment at UCA. If it sounds serious - it is! It's really important that all students understand the assessment procedure; please take the time to get your head around it! GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSMENT 2010/2011 Students who submit work for assessment will normally be given three attempts to pass a unit. These are described as: Submission at FIRST ATTEMPT – a full range of marks may be awarded for any component. Submission at REFERRAL (second attempt) – a maximum mark for any previously failed component will be 40% if the component passes at referral (second attempt). Submission at RETAKE (third and FINAL attempt) – a maximum mark of 40% may be awarded if the component passes at retake (third attempt). If a student fails at RETAKE, they will be removed from the course. Note: IF A STUDENT FAILS TO SUBMIT WORK AT FIRST ATTEMPT, THEY WILL FORFEIT THEIR RIGHT TO A

The Post With The Most 26/09/2010

Okay - as blogged previously, what follows is a ‘Reader’s Digest’, highlighting 'best practice' (in all its guises) from the CG Arts bloggosphere this week… Year One Some great in-depth reviews posted for The Fly and its remake; Molly , Jono , Dan , Paul-Arthur and Dayle have all really invested in this aspect of the unit. Many of these reviews could easily be unfolded further to form the basis for the 1,500 word assignment. Some students have posted reviews that, while undeniably interesting and valid in terms of their insight, do not subscribe to the method set out in the brief. Golden rule 1: do as the brief tells you and present your work as requested! Check out Nat’s sequential drawings of the musculature of her face ; not only does she ‘unpack’ its development into a series of incremental stages – which is how I and Phill Hosking want everyone to approach their digital painting tasks - she’s also approaching the anatomy brief from the ‘inside out’, using th

Question: Use of Rooms

L ooking at the self-study time tomorrow morning, will rooms like the base room, and the DM rooms be open? For example, if I wanted to come in and do some digital painting in the apple rooms, for a change of scene from my little dingy room, would be possible?

Maya Cube/Dice Tutorials

Where can I find the tutorials you've made Alan? I had a look around but i'm not sure where to look so I haven't found anything. I've never used Maya before and fridays workshop was great but I still have no idea where to start. Please guide me to where I can find them and I shall have a go. Nat

How to turn your blog into a .PDF document in four easy steps!

FAQ... "How do I archive my blog quickly?". 1) Export your blog as an .Xml document. Go to the Settings tab and click 'Export Blog' . Save the document to your desktop. Example: http://bloggerindraft.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-feature-import-and-export.html 2) Go to the website http://www.blogbooker.com . Click on .PDF and then Blogger . 3) Connect the .Xml document and enter your blog address. Set the time period (start - end) you wish to extract. Click 'Create Your Blog Book' . This process will take a few minutes. 4) Right click and 'Your Blog in PDF Book' and choose 'Save As'. Save the document to your desktop. ALL DONE!

The Interim Online Review Explained!

There appears to be some confusion regarding the purpose and significance of the ‘Interim Online Review’ process – the first of which commences on Tuesday, 5 th October. The IOR is very simple. It is an opportunity to receive feedback from me in the form of an extended ‘comment’ on your blog. By now, all of you should be uploading your research/drawings/reviews/technical exercises etc. regularly to your blog. (If you’re not then you’re isolating yourself from the creative community of which you’re part and missing out...). To prepare for your IOR all you need do is ensure that your blog is up-to-date and explanatory of your intentions/problems/ideas so far. For instance, if you are undecided between two possible approaches to your hybrid portrait, then say so on your blog and include (obviously) all the preparatory drawings illustrating both ideas. Show me what you’re thinking; don’t be mysterious or precious; if you want it discussed, post it! If you think you

Argh.. Maya Cube problem

Can someone please help me with this bizzare problem, which is stopping me from completing my work... There are only two little sides which have this"issue" where the "split .p. tool" won't go straight only diagonal

Introducing ‘The Post With The Most’

In my continuing struggle to find alternate ways to communicate with the CGAA community while minus a reliable internet provider (i.e. creating a generalized feedback post on the group blog), I have hit upon a ‘Big Idea’. Students are always asking me for examples of ‘best practice’ – which is an academic’s way of saying ‘the good stuff’ – student work that is especially satisfying in terms of method, technique, creativity, innovation, and management. ‘Best practice’ might mean a film review of The Fly that particularly impresses in terms of literary style, use of academic conventions, and critical insight etc. It could as easily refer to an especially evocative image from a life-drawing class, an effective digital painting, or great example of the pre-production pipeline, digital model or final animation. This then is TutorPhil’s ‘Big Idea’. Each week (or thereabouts), I’m going to feature on the group blog a summary entitled ‘The Post With The Most’ , in which I’l

Question about Friday!

Checkin' the timetable for this week and all i see is that Groups A and B get some attention. I'm in group E. Do we have anything tommorow? Or it's self study for the rest of us? Squid

Postmodern teenage angst!

Something for you 2nd years...

MAYA MAKE-UP CLASS.

Due to a Uni-Wide server crash Thursday afternoon there will be a 'make-up' Maya class for all those who were disrupted. This will take place on Tuesday (28th) in the afternnon. Therefore the groups for Character Design will be as follows: Tuesday 28th: Character Design Class - Groups. GROUP A: Tuesday morning (10am) Ruben Elliot Earl Matt M Godwin Dave Ethan S. Chris Bob Jack Leo Alex Richard Simon Shabhir GROUP B: Tuesday afternoon (2pm) Bharathi Adam Laura Dan Charlotte Jordan Kin Ethan C. Sam Matt H. Aju Jolanta Maya Make-up Class: Group A (as Above): Tuesday afternoon (2pm) in DM3 Please Note: These groups are for one week only.

Study group on Wednesday

Hello I am Paul Lemarquis, first year student. I have talked to a few of you about organizing a study group on Wednesdays. Their will be no set subject, only what people need to work on. Contact me through my UCA address to tell me if you are interested. plemarquis @ucreative.ac.uk

Incase you missed some...

Chris Rogers @ http://chrisanimation-bringingideastolife.blogspot.com Adam Webb @ http://www.thevistor.blogspot.com Domantas Lukošius @ http://www.domantasinn.blogspot.com Sam Tremain @ http://s-tremain.blogspot.com Paul Lavey @ http://paul-lavey.blogspot.com Dmitrij Polukarov @ http://insanityshock.blogspot.com Nat Urwin @ http://skygecko-nat.blogspot.com James Fisher @ http://jfisher-animation.blogspot.com Jonathon Pearmain @ http://www.jonathanpearmain.blogspot.com Oliver Fowls @ http://ofowls.blogspot.com Lyn-Dae Stewart @ http://pixipui.blogspot.com Alex Pinnock @ http://alex-zepherin.blogspot.com Max Rogers @ http://dragsterwave90.blogspot.com Michael Holman @ http://mickeyholman.blogspot.com Ben Harris @ http://benharris1990.blogspot.com Sean Banford @ http://seanyb-art.blogspot.com Sean Smith-Derizzio @ http://niftysean.blogspot.com Molly Bolder @ http://mollybolder.blogspot.com Sasha Hart @ http://sasha-hart.blogspot.com Orisakolade Oris

Void Canvas Studio

Hi everyone, just here to let you know bout our new Group, Void Canvas Studio, which consists of: Ethan, Earl, Yola & (Me) Bob Our aim is to create a Retro-Styled, 2 Minute trailer which conveys the title: Attack Of The 50ft Alien From Toyland Feel free to follow and track our progress as we take on the challange http://voidcanvas.blogspot.com/

TutorPhil's 'Happy Face'!

An unexpected and inexplicable consequence of my 'dongle hell', is that I'm mysteriously unable to post any comments on your blogs... I can read them (dongle-permitting), but I can't respond. This situation looks set to continue until the 7th October when I get my broadband re-activated... Anyway, lots and lots of exciting traffic on the blogs; very exciting! @ CGAA Year 1 - great to see those film reviews percolating through, and your life-drawings too. It seems from reading your blogs that you enjoyed the experience; great stuff. At risk of causing embarrassment, I'd like to single out Molly's film reviews of the 2 Fly movies; students always want to know what their tutor is looking for and Molly's approach is a nice model; quotes blended with her own analysis + hyperlinks; some further advice though; consider introducing your sources - e.g. before including the quote, preface it with 'As film critic, Kim Newman observed in his article entitled &

Incoming CGAA students 2010 - The Blogs Part 24

... and one more: welcome to CGAA new recruit Paul-Arthur Lemarquis @ http://www.paularthurl.blogspot.com

B3D Studio (studio F)

This is the blog link for B3D Studios: b3dstudios.blogspot.com B3D is the inderpendant company of Chris, Ethan, Ruben and Shahbir. Follow the link to get some updates for our projects ranging from idea and story development, concept art and design to storyboarding, pre-vis and the trailer for our films.

Faint Drawings...

For those of you who don't know, I had my first life drawing lesson yesterday, and to say the least it was a great experience... BUT Im having trouble uploading images of my drawings due to them being quite faint, and I was curious if there is a easy way to get around this? At this time I dont have a camera so im borrowing my mums which is a 10.2 mega pixel, im not a whizz with cameras and I dont know if this would make a great deal difference, but I was wondering if any one had any suggestions? If so they will be appreciated! Also if you have any recommendations on what camera I should buy that would also be helpful! Thanks Ben

Narrative Project - Studio B blog

Studio B's blog for the Narrative project is live. Be sure to follow! The group consists of Dan, Kin, Elliot and myself. http://kled-studios.blogspot.com/

Create a Video Game Level

I don't think this currently affects any outstanding units for any year but it is an interesting read. Found over on The EU Playstation blog, it chronicles the creation of a level of upcoming PSN\XBLA game Blade Kitten from design to programming. http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/09/21/blade-kitten-behind-the-code/#more-24233

NARRATIVE: RETRO-FEST TRAILER EXAMPLES

http://www.youtube.com/user/trailersfromhell Hi Guys, Check out this youtube channel for some background and analysis of some of the worst trailers in film history.

AUTODESK ONLINE EVENT

Register Here Hi Guys, This event is worth staying up for. Its a repeat of the software demos shown at Siggraph. I recommend the 'Look Effects' showcase too.

Incoming CGAA students 2010 - The Blogs Part 23

... and welcome to CGAA Yr 1 Tien @ http://atibui.blogspot.com

A tutorial how to draw an Owl.

I apologise in advance,but i couldn't bare not to share this with everyone.

Narative Project blog_Studio C

I think I can say with confidence that we're all happy with the group and the title we've been allocated. Attack of the Horrible biker from the Black Lagoon. This is Studio C's project blog up and running and awaiting posts. http://retroincorporated.blogspot.com/ so get following.

Incoming CGAA students 2010 - The Blogs Part 22

... welcome to CGAA Yr 1 Conor Bishop @ http://conorsblog2.blogspot.co m

Retro-Fest Studio Film Tiltles

TutorPhil in 'Dongle Hell'

I've just moved house. Why is this relevant to CGAA students and their studies? Simply because it's going to take BT 2 weeks to reactivate my phone line/broadband... As a substitute, I've bought a dongle (very stupid word!), which, in the few hours since purchase, has nearly been jettisoned out of several windows on account of its snail speed and general uselessness. I predict that my ability to respond quickly and efficiently to student questions and fizz enthusiastically over exciting preliminary sketches of human/animal hybrids etc. is going to be sorely impeded over the next few days.... Don't feel neglected if I'm slow to respond; just picture me instead, gnashing my teeth, tearing my hair and succumbing to dongle rage... Next time I pop up on this - or your - blog, I may be doing it from any establishment (other than UCA) with Wi-Fi; my consumption of over-priced corporate coffee and crap lukewarm burgers may increase to dangerously high levels...

Critiques.... some pointers.

I found this article a while ago and have been meaning to post it for a while, so a new semester is a good place. Feedback improvement. Critique is a very important part of learning. No one is born with godlike skills in any field, and improvement happens both through passion and constructive feedback given by other people. The majority of amateur artists do not have a well-developed capacity to objectively view their work and on their own understand and fix any mistakes or improve a more or less good piece of work - this is when the outsider opinion comes to help. Looking at one’s work through another person’s eyes can literally do wonders. A truly outstanding comment is always hard to compose, always hard to receive, and always hard to come by. For an artist however, a comment is of the greatest importance. It provides feedback on an artwork that will continue to remain unmatched by that of a single word or emoticon. To an artist, a comment is the difference between progression and r