Character Animation W/ Blender!
In this six week course students will learn all about creating character animation with the free and open source animation software Blender!
Conor MacFinn
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(26)
What's included
7 live meetings
6 hrs 25 mins in-class hoursAssignments
1 hour per week. includedLetter Grade
includedClass Experience
Intermediate Level
Welcome to the wonderful world of Character Animation using the ever-popular free and open source software Blender. In this class students will learn how to make high quality character animation using 3D computer software. Topic will include, rigs, body mechanics and the 12 principles of animation. This is strictly a character animation class, so we won't be covering topics like modeling, rigging, lighting or geometry nodes. At the beginning of each class students will have an assignment. The instructor will "demo" the assignment for them and then they will go on the perform it themselves. Other videos and examples will be provided. Students will have the opportunity to work with their instructor to get feedback and hone their animating chops!
Learning Goals
Students will learn how to work with rigsBody Mechanics
Syllabus
7 Lessons
over 7 WeeksLesson 1:
Hopper
We'll have a quick refresher of how to use the Blender Software and you will animate a nose on a leg hopping across the screen. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Full Walk Cycle
Make a character walk. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Run Cycle
Make a character run 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Jump
Create Keyframes and make your character Jump! 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Students might encounter examples of works that contain mild fantasy violence.
Pre-Requisites
Students should have a basic understanding of animation and a good working knowledge of computer usage.
Supply List
Students should have a modern computer with Blender 4.2 LTS installed. Students should be logged into the same device they are animating on so they can share their screens in case they get stuck and need help.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2022
4.8
26reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Conor MacFinn is an American/ Canadian filmmaker / animator / UX designer whose animated shorts have been distributed by Tribal TV on Hulu, AOL On, Roku and Amazon and have won awards, been nominated, and screened at over 40 festivals internationally. His animated storytelling mobile media was twice selected for SIGGRAPH’s Appy Hour showcase of creativity and innovation and distributed through iTunes. Other 3D character animation credits include The Museum of the Dog in New York City, Pearson, and Behrman House. Conor was honored that his trilogy of shorts inspired by his Native heritage was invited to show at Mní Wičhóni Nakíčižiŋ Owáyawa (Defenders of the Sacred Water School) at The Water Protector's Camp in Standing Rock, North Dakota. He is a 2019 New York State Council on the Arts Arts Alive grantee and received a 2020 Artist’s Support Fund grant.
Conor’s credits as a teaching artist include seven years as a college instructor, and over 10 years teaching Storyboarding and Storytelling, Scratch and basic programming and animation in person and online to kids in grades 3 – 12. Additionally, he has worked remotely with teenagers teaching animation and storytelling for film and animation. As an Art School Portfolio coach, he’s successfully mentored students in crafting their submissions, resulting in his students’ admissions to Pratt (scholarship), Parsons, FIT and other competitive schools. He enjoys meeting students where they are and guiding their unique expression through art and programming.
When Conor isn't working on his animation or teaching you can see him playing guitar or playing with his dog!Reviews
Live Group Class
$36
weekly1x per week, 7 weeks
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-10 learners per class
