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Crowd Simulation

Crowd Simulation

An 8-week course learning to animate the process of simulating a large number of characters
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Learn to simulate large groups of characters

Learn to simulate large groups of characters
THIS COURSE IS IN DEVELOPMENT 

Crowd Simulation is a versatile skill for any character animator. Involving cycles, midground animation, and utilizing looping actions into your hero characters, it enables the animator to leverage crowd techniques to quickly build out their scenes. This class will teach you to find the most efficient way to get the most use out of your animation. These lessons will give you a broad skillset, one that can open paths to live action, animation, games, apps, and virtual reality platforms. The instructor will provide weekly feedback and critique on your work plus, all the course material is prerecorded so you can view it when it suits you.  
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
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Course Start

Course Format

Standard

Skills Level

Intermediate

Duration

8 weeks

Q&A

Once a week

Feedback

Individual recordings

Lecture Type

Pre-recorded
Assignment
Deadlines each week
PREREQUISITES
Strong understanding of Maya and the principles of animation
MATERIALS
Maya (or 3D equivalent program)

The more you know, the better.

Introduction to crowds | Crowd vocabulary | Introduction to Walkcycle | Walkcycle demo | Setting up | Cycle rules | Getting started and stride | Copy and mirror | Passing positions | Finishing the walk | Polishing and tangents | Treadmill | Checking foot slippage | Bonus topics: alternates to treadmill, video reference
Crowd software overview | MiArmy demo | Rig & animation | Actions | Agents | ShotWork | Rendering
Walkcycle revisited | Loops | Best practices | Transitions | Locomotion cycle
Types of crowds | The secret about crowds | Set dressing vs. extras | What is good crowd animation? | Ambient cycles | Ambient crowds | Just animate it | How much time?
Level of detail & intensity | Face animation | Props | Hair & cloth
Copying to other body types | Variants | Cycle tracking | Motion capture | MoCap editing | Creature cycles
Midground crowd examples | Midground demo | Bonus topic: full-length midground demo
Crowd Department structure | Crowd shot workflow | Other opportunities | Getting in | Reels and branding | State of the industry & final thoughts | Bonus topic: MiArmy shot work walk-through, setup new chars | Importing actions | Following & roads | Shot Work | Creating the zombie shot

Bringing out the best in talent

To Be Announced
LECTURES BY TBA
Course Start:
For specific questions regarding TBA instructors, please contact CGMA Admissions Department at registration@cgmasteracademy.com

Instructor's Gallery

VFX

What makes this learning experience unique?

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK

Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.

LIFETIME ACCESS

Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.

CERTIFICATION

Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.

Need guidance? We’re Here to Help.

We can help with admissions questions, portfolio review/course recommendations!

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