- CSE 459 - Winter 2008

Creating an Animatic

Save a copy of the animatic base set from
\\ntdfs\cs\unix\projects\instr\production2\preproduction\animatic\animatic_base_set\animatic_set.ma
into the shot folder that you are working on (if I am working on intro_100, I should save a copy in \\ntdfs\cs\unix\projects\instr\production2\preproduction\animatic\animatic_shots\01_intro\intro_100)
Rename your file correctly: Example "Copy of animatic_set.ma" gets renamed to "intro_100.ma"

Check your animation settings are set to NTSC 30 fps) (it's in Window>Settings/Preferences, Settings Tab)
Make a camera named after your shot (Example: intro_100)
Adjust your Camera Settings. Make the overscan 1.000. Select the camera, hit ctrl+a to go to the attribute editor, under the Display Options tab and change the overscan.
Adjust your Panel settings. Turn on safe action and the resolution gate. In your panel (the window where you work with maya) go to View > Camera Settings > Safe Action and View > Camera Settings > Resolution Gate.
Adjust your Render Settings. Image Settings> Presets should be Custom, Width 864, Height 480, Pixel Aspect Ratio 1.0 (These settings are for in-class previews only. Actual shots for the film will later be rendered at 720x480 with a 1.2 aspect ratio)

Make sure that you animate your animatic according to the story reel (the latest version will always be here: \\ntdfs\cs\unix\projects\instr\production2\preproduction\story_reel\story_reel.mov). The timing should be roughly the same. If you are confused, look at the beatsheet on the wiki (http://cubist.cs.washington.edu/wiki/index.php/CSE460_Sp08:Beat_Sheet)

Before playblasting, make sure that annoying curves, controls and anything else are hidden and that nothing is selected.
Set your playblast settings in Window > Playblast option box: Uncheck show ornaments. Display size from render settings. And be sure to save to file.

Put the playblast in your shot folder. For example: \\ntdfs\cs\unix\projects\instr\production2\preproduction\animatic\animatic_shots\01_intro\intro_100\intro_100.avi