Computer Graphics World

Education Supplement 2013

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Education Supplement High-end 3D content creation software is now affordable, and most vendors – Maxon, Autodesk, NewTek, and others – even offer free or greatly discounted licenses for students. So, unlike several years ago, students today have personal access to the best tools in the professional realm. Some began using the software in high school, where they were introduced to the fundaments of the program; others are selftaught with the help of training videos and books. For years, industry professionals have emphasized that they are creative artists, not button pushers, that art is created by their hands, not by the software. And, that is a very true statement. However, they will surely acknowledge that the software (and hardware) are vital to their creative processes. The two go hand in hand; one necessitates the other. And, animation and VFX schools realize this. They teach students the techniques and skills they need to expand their creative horizons. And, as students continue to push the creative envelope, they look to more complex tools and technologies to help them fulfill their creative vision now, and to prepare them for the next step: a successful career. Almost every art and animation school uses what is considered the universal tools of the trade: Autodesk's 3ds Max and Maya, and Adobe's Creative Suite. But most go beyond those basics and provide their students with a plethora of hardware and software to help them innovate and stay in step with the professional world. And, in some instances, a step ahead of the industry. 4 • Education Supplement • July 2013 Keeping up with Technology Ex'pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville, California, prides itself on its state-of-the-industry classes and facilities. According to Brian Andrews, program director of Animation and Visual Effects, the curriculum is continually adapted to match the technological and production workflow trends in the industry. Recent techniques courses, therefore, have included stereoscopic production and previsualization. The computer labs at Ex'pression are loaded with visual effects software, focusing on a pipeline that utilizes programs such as Pixologic's ZBrush; Autodesk's Mudbox, Maya, and MotionBuilder; The Foundry's Nuke and Mari; Pixar's RenderMan; The Pixel Farm's PFtrack; and Adobe's Creative Suite, among other applications. In addition, the campus features a dedicated motion-capture studio, greenscreen stage, soundstage, and an equipment room stocked with professional HD filmmaking equipment. According to Andrews, this enables the students to produce professional-quality assets for use in student projects. In terms of animation and visual effects, the Academy of Art University instructs students in various aspects of the field with separate "tracks," such as modeling, animation, and so forth. Here, they typically use software such as Autodesk's Maya, Pixologic's ZBrush, Adobe's After Effects, and The Foundry's Nuke and Modo, for instance. Additionally, the school provides certain facilities (sound and greenscreen) on campus, as well as rent time and equip- Pratt Institute helps students acquire the necessary technical expertise while developing the requisite artistic skills to produce pieces such as the artwork above, "E Flat in Forest." ment (cameras, mocap space) when it makes the most sense. The school also offers a computer game art and design program, taught within a state-of-the-art facility. The classrooms are equipped with workstations that run Autodesk's Maya and 3ds Max; Epic's Unreal Development Kit; Unity's SDK; Avid's Alienbrain; Adobe's Flash, Illustrator, and Photoshop; Pixologic's ZBrush; Toon Boom software; and more. According to the school, it provides everything that one would see in an actual Triple-A production facility, including a selection of PCs, Macs, and Wacom tablets. And, the students use a greenscreen room, full sound department (music and Foley), and more. Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, awards accelerated degrees in audio, film, design, computer animation, business, and other fields. Students in the Computer Animation and Game Art programs complete various projects as they move through their degree program, and they need access to the latest technologies to do so. The school ensures that students are always trained on the latest hardware and software used in the industry. Instructors at the school are industry veterans, and many are currently working on productions on a freelance basis, keeping their skills strong and connected to the latest industry trends and changes. A unique program Full Sail offers for new students is called the Project Launch-

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