5/14/2025 12:21:50 PM	CS 75.11 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  CS 75.11	Title:  CHARACTER ANIMATOR
Full Title:  Introduction to Adobe Character Animator
Last Reviewed:1/22/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Do you have ideas for amazing, animated stories, but have no idea where to start? In this course, students learn the step-by-step process of creating their first animation using Adobe Character Animator. Learn how to record your voice and facial movements using the advanced new facial tracking technology and your computer's camera.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course completion of CS 70.1A

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Do you have ideas for amazing, animated stories, but have no idea where to start? In this course, students learn the step-by-step process of creating their first animation using Adobe Character Animator. Learn how to record your voice and facial movements using the advanced new facial tracking technology and your computer's camera.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Course completion of CS 70.1A
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2024	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

Approval and Dates

Version:	02	Course Created/Approved:	1/22/2024
Version Created:	8/6/2024	Course Last Modified:	12/3/2024
Submitter:	Curriculum	Course Last Full Review:	1/22/2024
Version Status:	Approved Changed Course	Prereq Created/Approved:	1/22/2024
Version Status Date:	8/26/2024	Semester Last Taught:
Version Term Effective:	Summer 2025	Term Inactive:

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency in identifying Character Animator interface elements.

2. Create an animation using a character template.

3. Design and animate a character from scratch.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Differentiate among elements of the Character Animator interface.

2. Explain animation fundamentals.

3. Create a character-based animation using a template.

4. Create a character from scratch.

5. Use a webcam to capture a motion animation.

6. Export an animation.

Topics and Scope

I. Fundamentals of Character Animator

    A. What is Character Animator, and what can it do?

    B. Character Animator interface and workspace

    C. Hardware and software requirements

II. Fundamentals of Animation

    A. Rigging

         1. explaining handles, tools, and tags

          2. adding fixed handles with the Pin tool

          3. using other handle tools: Dragger, Stick, and Dangle

     B. Setting up triggers to control basic animations

     C. Layer names

    D. Behaviors

    E. Physics

III. Investigating Existing Projects - Examining Puppet Characteristics

IV. Starting a Character Animator Project - Beginning with a Template

V. Creating a Character from Scratch

    A. Design on paper

    B. Head

         1. basic face features

         2. eyes

         3. eyebrows

         4. mouth

    C. Body

         1. basic Body Rigging

         2. body Triggers and Animations

         3. magnet Hand

         4. breathe Behavior

         5. walk Behavior

         6. motion Triggers and Custom Walks

         7. replays

    D. Background

VI. Face Animation Using a Webcam and Lip-Syncing

    A. Starting a scene

     B. Setting up the camera, microphone, and rest pose

     C. Recording your first take

     D. Recording puppet movements using dragger handles

     E. Using triggers to control animations

VII. Importing and Syncing an Audio File

VIII. Using the Keyboard and Pointing Systems to Control Cartoons

IX. Assemble Cartoons into Scenes and Export Scenes

    A. Exporting

    B. Export file formats

X. Advanced Tips

    A. Auto Blink

    B. Wiggler Behavior

    C. Panning Background

    D. Characterizer

    E. Live streaming

Assignments:

1. Character Animator assignments, such as:

   A. Create a 20-second animation using a template character.

   B. Design a custom character from scratch.

   C. Animate a custom character reciting the alphabet.

2. Quizzes, midterm, and final.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 20%
Character Animator assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 60 - 80%
Character Animator assignments
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 30%
Quizzes, a midterm and a final examination
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials

OTHER REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Student Preparation
Matric Assessment Required:	X	Exempt From Assessment
Prerequisites-generate description:	U	User Generated Text
Advisories-generate description:	NA	No Advisory
Prereq-provisional:	N	NO
Prereq/coreq-registration check:	Y	Prerequisite Rules Exist
Requires instructor signature:	N	Instructor's Signature Not Required
BASIC INFORMATION, HOURS/UNITS & REPEATABILITY
Method of instruction:	02	Lecture
	71	Internet-Based, Simultaneous Interaction
	72	Internet-Based, Delayed Interaction
Area department:	CS	Computer Studies
Division:	72	Arts & Humanities
Special topic course:	N	Not a Special Topic Course
Program Status:	1	Both Certificate and Major Applicable
Repeatability:	00	Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Repeat group id:
SCHEDULING
Audit allowed:	Y	Auditable
Open entry/exit:	N	Not Open Entry/Open Exit
Credit by Exam:	N	Credit by examination not allowed
Budget code: Program:	0000	Unrestricted
Budget code: Activity:	0701	Computer & Information Science
OTHER CODES
Disciplines:	Computer Information Systems
Basic Skills:	N	Not a Basic Skills Course
Level below transfer:	Y	Not Applicable
CVU/CVC status:	Y	Distance Ed, Not CVU/CVC Developed
Distance Ed Approved:	Y	Either online or hybrid, as determined by instructor
Emergency Distance Ed Approved:	N
Credit for Prior Learning:	N	Agency Exam
	N	CBE
	N	Industry Credentials
	N	Portfolio
Non-credit category:	Y	Not Applicable, Credit Course
Classification:	Y	Career-Technical Education
SAM classification:	C	Clearly Occupational
TOP code:	0614.60	Computer Graphics and Digital Imagery
Work-based learning:	N	Does Not Include Work-Based Learning
DSPS course:	N	NO
In-service:	N	Not an in-Service Course

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