Grooms can be an extension of the model and design on many animated characters. Given that many animation studios use their own proprietary software, it’s not enough simply to know how to use hair grooming software. In this class, I’ll teach you to see key character design details, execute and improve upon those design details in the groom, problem solve in 3D, and tell the story of the character. This class is set up to mimic a studio environment, from design kickoff and routine reviews, all with the goal of having a feature film quality groom ready at the end. Throughout the course, students will learn how to make an animated feature film quality groom, get familiar with the review style and working cadence at a studio, and learn how to troubleshoot in 3D grooming software and hair shaders. By the end of the course, students should have a high quality portfolio piece.
Please note: students should come into the course with some grooming knowledge and a preferred software to work in. The emphasis of the course will not be on any particular software, but on getting an artistic result using the tools.
Grooming principles covered in this course can be translated to any grooming software; the primary grooming software used in the lecture videos will be Houdini.
- Week #1 Design Kickoff
- Week #2 Block In Your Groom
- Week #3 Set Up A Shader
- Week #4 Setting Up Hair Operators
- Week #5 First Review
- Week #6 Setting Up Your Groom For An Animated Performance
- Week #7 Working Week
- Week #8 Final Review
