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Joy Horvath and Unity Technologies
Welcome to Character Setup and Animation, the fourth course in the Unity Certified 3D Artist Specialization from Unity Technologies. The courses in this series will help you prepare for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam, the professional certification for entry- to mid-level Unity artists. 3D artists are critical to the Unity development pipeline. They are a bridge between the programmers writing the application code and the designers or art directors who define the application’s aesthetics and style. In these courses, you will be challenged to complete realistic art implementation tasks in Unity that are aligned to the topics...
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Welcome to Character Setup and Animation, the fourth course in the Unity Certified 3D Artist Specialization from Unity Technologies. The courses in this series will help you prepare for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam, the professional certification for entry- to mid-level Unity artists. 3D artists are critical to the Unity development pipeline. They are a bridge between the programmers writing the application code and the designers or art directors who define the application’s aesthetics and style. In these courses, you will be challenged to complete realistic art implementation tasks in Unity that are aligned to the topics covered on the exam. In courses 4 and 5, you will work on a sci-fi themed 3D adventure game. You’ll import assets and create effects that are more stylish and cartoony than the realistic kitchen in the previous courses. For this course, you will first import the assets for the main character, then get her animations working with an Animator Controller. Next, you’ll create a procedural camera to follow her movements using Unity’s Cinemachine system. Finally, you’ll learn how to use Unity’s Collaborate service for effective version control, and you’ll wrap up the course with a peer reviewed project. This is an intermediate course, intended for people who are ready for their first paying roles as Unity 3D artists, or enthusiasts who would like to verify their skills against a professional standard. To succeed, you should have at least 1-2 years of experience implementing 3D art in Unity. You should be proficient at importing assets into Unity from Digital Content Creation (DCC) tools, prototyping scenes, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects. You should also have a basic understanding of 2D asset management, animation, and working with scripts. You should have experience in the full product development lifecycle, and understand multi-platform development, including for XR (AR and VR) platforms.
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Solidly prepares aspiring artists for roles in the video game industry
Offers hands-on practice implementing game art in Unity, which aligns with industry workflow
Suitable for learners with experience in 3D art and the Unity engine who seek professional certification
Instructors are from Unity Technologies, indicating credibility in the field
Course teaches skills relevant to both entry-level and mid-level Unity artists

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Reviews summary

Fun and challenging character creation

Character Setup and Animation has many positive reviews that show it lives up to its name, proving to be fun and challenging. Students who have taken this course report that they learn how to import assets, create effects, and work with an Animator Controller. This course is best suited for those with intermediate knowledge and experience in Unity.
Engage and learn from quizzes.
"The tasks at the end of each topic are engaging."
Learn from an excellent instructor.
"Joy Horvath was an excellent instructor."
Best for those with intermediate Unity skills.
"...intended for people who are ready for their first paying roles as Unity 3D artists..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Character Setup and Animation with these activities:
Review basic animation principles
Revisiting animation principles will refresh your understanding of the fundamentals, such as squash and stretch, timing, and anticipation, which are essential for creating believable and engaging animations.
Browse courses on Animation Principles
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on animation principles
  • Practice applying these principles to simple animations
Follow video tutorials on camera techniques in Unity's Cinemachine system
Tutorials will guide you through setting up camera rigs, managing camera transitions, and using Cinemachine's advanced features, enhancing the visual impact of your animations.
Browse courses on Camera Techniques
Show steps
  • Find video tutorials on Cinemachine camera techniques
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step
  • Experiment with different camera settings and techniques
Read "The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard Williams
This book provides a comprehensive guide to animation principles and techniques, covering topics such as timing, spacing, and secondary motion, which will complement the skills taught in this course.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts
  • Apply the principles and techniques to your own animations
Four other activities
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Practice character rigging with Unity's Humanoid system
Rigging practice will enhance your understanding of bone structure, joint hierarchy, and weight painting, enabling you to create believable character movement.
Browse courses on Character Rigging
Show steps
  • Import a character model into Unity
  • Create bones and joints using the Humanoid system
  • Assign weights to vertices to control deformation
Create a storyboard for a short animation sequence
Creating a storyboard will help you visualize and plan the sequence of events in your animation, ensuring a coherent and engaging narrative.
Browse courses on Animation
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas and develop a narrative
  • Sketch out the keyframes of the animation
  • Add dialogue and sound effects to the storyboard
Host a peer review session for character animations
Receiving feedback from peers will provide valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement in your character animations, leading to more polished and effective animations.
Browse courses on Character Animation
Show steps
  • Invite peers to review your character animations
  • Present your animations and receive feedback
  • Incorporate feedback to improve your animations
Create an animated cutscene using the skills learned in this course
Developing a complete animated cutscene will showcase your mastery of character setup, animation, and camera techniques, solidifying your skills as a Unity 3D Artist.
Browse courses on Animation
Show steps
  • Develop a storyboard and narrative for the cutscene
  • Create and rig character models
  • Animate the characters and set up the camera
  • Add lighting, effects, and sound design

Career center

Learners who complete Character Setup and Animation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Unity Developer
Unity Developers use the Unity game engine to create video games, simulations, and other interactive experiences. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can provide a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Game Animator
Game Animators help bring life to video games and other interactive media by creating realistic and engaging character animations. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can provide a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Character Artist
Character Artists create the 3D models and textures for characters in video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can provide a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Technical Artist
Technical Artists use their knowledge of computer science and art to create visual effects and other digital content for video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can provide a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Technical Animator
Technical Animators use their knowledge of computer science and animation to create realistic and engaging animations for video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can help you build a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Animator
Animators create animations for video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies can provide a foundation for this career by teaching you how to import assets, create animations, and use Unity's Collaborate service for version control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role, including proficiency in importing assets, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects.
Art Director
Art Directors oversee the visual style and design of video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you create art direction that is more visually appealing and immersive.
Game Designer
Game Designers create the overall concept and design for video games, including the characters, story, and gameplay. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you design games that are more immersive and enjoyable for players.
Creative Director
Creative Directors oversee the creative vision and direction of video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you create creative direction that is more visually appealing and immersive.
Visual Effects Artist
Visual Effects Artists create visual effects for movies, television shows, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you create visual effects that are more visually appealing and immersive.
3D Modeler
3D Modelers create 3D models for use in video games, movies, and other media. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you create models that are more visually appealing and easier to animate.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you develop software that is more user-friendly and visually appealing.
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia Artists create multimedia content for websites, social media, and other digital platforms. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you create multimedia content that is more visually appealing and engaging.
Game Programmer
Game Programmers write the code that makes video games work. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you write code that is more efficient and visually appealing.
Game Producer
Game Producers oversee the development and production of video games. The Character Setup and Animation course from Unity Technologies may be useful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of how to create realistic and engaging character animations. This can help you produce games that are more visually appealing and enjoyable for players.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Character Setup and Animation.
Explores the artistic and technical aspects of character animation, focusing on the principles of movement, emotion, and personality. It provides a solid foundation for creating believable and engaging character animations in Unity.
This classic book on animation principles must-read for anyone working in character animation. It covers essential topics such as movement, timing, and personality, providing valuable insights that can enhance the quality of character animations in Unity.
Explores the principles and practices of motion capture, which is an important tool for creating realistic and high-quality character animations. While it doesn't cover Unity, it provides valuable insights into the technology and its applications in character animation, which can benefit Unity users who want to incorporate motion capture into their projects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Unity, covering topics such as character creation, animation, and game development. It offers a mix of theory and practical examples, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners.
Provides a solid foundation for 3D modeling and animation using Maya. While it doesn't focus on Unity, it covers the essential concepts and techniques for creating and animating 3D characters, which can be valuable knowledge for Unity character artists.
A book that covers game development in Unity using Blender for 3D modeling and animation. will help you create your own 3D characters and assets for your games.
A book that covers a wide range of animation techniques, from character design to acting and lip syncing. will help you improve your animation skills and create more believable characters.
A collection of recipes that will help you solve common problems and implement common features in Unity. valuable resource for any Unity developer, regardless of their level of experience.
A classic textbook on the history, theory, and techniques of 3D computer animation and effects. will give you a broad understanding of the field of animation and help you appreciate the work that goes into creating animated characters for games.

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