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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Clarify work requirements
   • Determine requirements and purpose for 3D digital character animation with reference to production documentation
   • Determine work flow sequences to ensure production schedule deadlines are met in consultation with relevant personnel
   • Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which 3D digital character animations are being created
2. Prepare to create 3D digital character animation
   • Gather and analyse reference materials to assist in animating the characters
   • Examine models to be animated to determine most appropriate animation techniques
   • Identify and develop skills with the controls of character rigs
   • Analyse audio supplied for animations as required
   • Create thumbnail sketches of key poses required
   • Act out actions and facial expressions, and make notes on timing of actions or record to video for later reference
   • Select the most suitable combination of animation techniques
3. Create 3D digital character animation
   • Animate first pass, applying relevant animation principles and experimenting with techniques to produce 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 taking into account animation principles
   • Create secondary animations as required
   • Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using computer screens and keyboards for extended periods of time
4. Finalise animations
   • Submit final character animations in agreed output format to relevant personnel by agreed deadline
   • Make back-up copies of files, and save and store animations using appropriate output file formats and standard naming conventions
   • Participate in project evaluations and contribute ideas and suggestions about ways to improve future projects

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

create 3D digital character animations that:

simulate physical gestures, expressions and actions

lip-sync facial features with audio

meet production requirements

use acting techniques to capture movement and facial expressions to apply to animated characters

select and apply various animation techniques in character creation

select and use proficiently appropriate animation software to create animated characters

save and store animations in appropriate file formats using industry naming conventions

work collaboratively with others in production team to achieve project outcomes

evaluate projects for improvement.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

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Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

outline typical challenges of creating character animations and how to handle these

describe animation techniques and principles as applied to the creation of 3D digital characters, including correct use of timing and weight, squash and stretch, movement in arcs, anticipation and follow-through, overlapping action and exaggeration

explain how acting contributes to design of facial expressions and body movements in animated characters, and how these are captured for use

identify relevant work health and safety standards which apply to working at screens and keyboards for extended periods of time.

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