Hey, I was just wondering when Autodesk releases the prompt for the visualization award. Do they release it on kickoff, or does it come a little later?
It mostly comes out in the manual that they release at kickoff. I would not advise waiting till then to start making things for the animation. You can still model and rig your characters before the animation. Because you can use characters anywhere. It really doesn’t matter if they fit, its animation, its suppose to be coo-coo
Actually that would make it more hilarious because it would be ironic.
Thanks.
That’s be great and all to prepare for the animation, but it’d be nice if I knew how to make characters! :rolleyes: I’m still stuck on the modeling tutorials in 3ds max.
They actually changed it last year. I think because of Autodesk’s firstbase site they have more independent control over it. Last year it came out a couple days after kickoff, and this year the Calendar of Important Deadlines says it will be released on January 13th. So sad we have to wait that long. 
UGH!!! when is it due?!! Do they realize how long animation takes?! Teams should start making their characters now.
We are probably going to use the characters from last year because we don’t have enough time to make new ones. Our latest animation can be seen here:
I really like the robotic guy in the cowboy hat, but the other more humanoid guys could use some work. Would it be easier to make a few changes to make them look better or should I just start over for next year?
Their due date is TBA… haha Last year it was about a week before the robot was shipped, so that would give us aboutt…4 weeks…
FirstBase now says it’ll be released on Monday 
the theme was up today… biomimicy… pick a “challenge” and mimic nature to solve it…
Interesting. I wonder why they released it 9 days in advance. I like having more time, but most of our animation team will now be split between brainstorming ideas for the robot and the animation.
Biomimicry. That’s ten times better than last year’s prompt. YAY!
Very interesting. Where did you find this?? Just curious. And yes, it is much, much better than last years prompt.
Here is the Copy and Paste from FIRSTBASE website:
**The 2009 Autodesk Visualization Design Competition
**
Purpose of Award
This award honors excellence in student animation.
Competition Overview
All FIRST Robotics Competition teams are invited to create a 30 second animation submission for the Autodesk Visualization Design Competition using Autodesk 3ds Max software that was donated by Autodesk. Teams are challenged to design an animation that best demonstrates the concept of the theme, showcases creativity and technical execution. NOTE: We will continue to have the regional visualization design competition. Click here for details.
Award Description
The Autodesk Visualization Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in animation. Autodesk challenges teams to use Autodesk 3ds Max software to produce a 30-second animation that best depicts the theme assigned in the Autodesk competition. This is a terrific opportunity to see how imaginative teams can be using one of the greatest imagination tools in the world. The judges look for concept, creativity, and technical execution.
Theme for Visualization Design Competition
This year’s theme is: Using Biomimicry to Solve a Design Challenge
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a design discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies. The core idea is that nature has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with: energy, food production, climate control, non-toxic chemistry, transportation, packaging, and a whole lot more. To read more about it, go to the Ask Nature website a project of the Biomimicry Institute.
Here is your challenge:
You have been presented with a difficult design challenge. You have decided to look to nature to inspire your design solution. Choose a design in nature that solves your design challenge.
To help you to develop your own 30-second animation for this year’s competition, here are some items that you should include:
- What is your real life design issue?
- What design did you use in nature to help solve it?
- How does it work or help?
Although you can chose any design in nature you would like to use, please take advantage the database of suggestions on the Ask Nature website from the Biomimicry Institute.
To view some featured examples from the Ask Nature website, click here.
To find out more about how Autodesk is involved with Biomimicry, click here.
Award Criteria
The competition has three required phases:
-
Submit a 30-second animation using Autodesk 3ds Max in the format listed below.
Each animation must:
• Illustrate the concept of this year’s theme
• Meet all entry and file format requirements
• Must have been created using Autodesk 3ds Max software, any version. Autodesk has also donated Autodesk Combustion to help with the finishing process of your animation. It is not a requirement to use Autodesk Combustion. -
Create a storyboard
• Storyboard (no size or length requirements).
• Provide an electronic storyboard that you will need to submit with your entry in .PDF or .JPG format. NOTE: In the past years, teams were asked to post their storyboard on their own website, but this season teams will be required to submit their storyboard with the entry on the Autodesk FIRSTbase website. -
Create a JPEG image
• Your JPEG image should best capture your animation.
• This image will be used on the Autodesk FIRSTbase site to represent your animation.
Entry Requirements
• Entrant must be a fully registered team participating in the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition.
• Limit one (1) entry per team. NOTE: In the past seasons, teams with multiple schools were able to submit up to two entries, but this will no longer be allowed.
• A completed entry submission with all associated files must be submitted through the Autodesk FIRSTbase site by the deadline.
Autodesk is not responsible for any technical malfunctions; lost/delayed data transmission; omission; interruption; deletion; line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment or software; the inability to access any website or online service. Autodesk is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, incomplete, or illegible entries; postage due mail; internet downtimes or malfunctions; or other errors.
Please try to submit your entry early to avoid last minute deadline concerns.
Animation Entry Format Requirements
Your entry must include: 5-second slate followed by one second of black, followed by the animation of on more than 30 seconds, followed by one second of black. The initial slate must include:
• Team number
• Team Name
• School
• Title
• Duration (not including slate and black)
• Audio (stereo, mono, none) peak not to exceed -6db or fall under -18db
• Credits may follow that still frame, but will not be included as part of the timing, judging or scoring process, and may not be included in the marketing materials used by Autodesk.
Required file format
• Export your finished animation out of Autodesk 3ds Max ONLY in QuickTime (.MOV) (see Acceptable Codec below)
• NOTE: The QuickTime export function is included in the Autodesk 3ds Max software.
• NOT acceptable: .wmv .mpg .asp .wmx
• Audio (stereo, mono, none) peak not to exceed -6db or fall under -18db Title safe guidelines: (NOTE: Computer screens are NOT the same as TV screens) All files should be 720 x 480. All text and motion animation within the 720 x 480 window should be 15% away from the edge (especially text) to ensure that your content will fit a TV screen when viewed for judging from a DVD format. Solid or textured backgrounds are OK to run to the edge. Anything on top of the background must follow the Title Safe guidelines. All files should be 720 x 480 and follow these screen guidelines. All files should be 720 x 480
Acceptable Codec
• DV-NTSC ONLY
• Cinepak is NOT acceptable
• Do not use DiVX or any other non-standard Codec
• Frame Rate: 29.97 frames per second ONLY
• Frame Size: 720 x 480 ONLY: 640 x 480 & 320 x 240 are NOT acceptable.
• Maximum File Size: Please keep your entry under 250MB
File naming convention
You must name your animation in the following file format:
All of the files should be named using your team number, for instance “team_0123.mov.”
Submission Entry Process
All entries must be submitted through the Autodesk FIRSTbase website (www.autodesk.com/firstbase). You will also be able to view all entries once they have been accepted by Autodesk.
Here is how it works:
- Go to www.autodesk.com/firstbase and enter the FRC area. Login to the site and look for the Autodesk Design Competition submission entry button on the My Team web page. NOTE: This button will be available about 2-3 weeks after the competition start date, but in plenty of time before the deadline.
- An adult member of the team is required to submit the entry for the team. In order to submit the entry, the adult member must be registered on the Autodesk FIRSTbase site.
- Click on “Submit Entry” to fill out the entry form.
- You will be asked to upload files to complete your entry. We understand that these files can be quite large, so it will take some time to complete this task. We recommend that you submit your entry when you are ready to complete the upload of the files, however you can come back at a later time to complete it. Your entry will not be considered complete until all required information and associated files are submitted. This must be complete by the deadline in order to be considered.
- All acceptable entries will be posted on the Autodesk FIRSTbase site for public viewing throughout the season. Once your entry is complete, it will be reviewed by Autodesk and if acceptable, will be posted on the website.
Entry Deadline
All entries must be submitted with all associated files through the Autodesk FIRSTbase site by Thursday, February 12, 2009, 5:00 p.m. PST.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be scored on the criteria for the three key areas outlined below.
Concept (Maximum: 35 points)
Distinction in the use of design and animation to illustrate and communicate a clearly defined message of this year’s theme.
Measured in terms of how well your team:
• Identifies and executes on a concept
• Organizes the content for your 30-second animation
• How well your animation follows your storyboard
Creativity (Maximum: 35 points)
Distinction in the use of design and animation to make your entry visually exciting, arresting, striking and memorable.
Measured in terms of how your team:
• Creates a compelling, creative and distinctive animation – one that stands out from the rest.
Technical Execution (Maximum: 30 points)
Distinction in the application of Autodesk software.
Measured in terms of:
• How skillfully your team uses Autodesk 3ds Max to create a technically impressive animation.
Some examples of technical applications are modeling, materials application, lighting, camera motion and angles, sound effects, texture mapping, color, special FX, character animation, editing technique. In addition to using the features of Autodesk 3ds Max, judges will review how well you have incorporated elements such as voice-over, music, photography, or live video into the animation.
NOTE: Animations that use copyrighted music without written permission from the legal copyright owner will be disqualified. All entries that indicate that they are using copyrighted music will be required to provide proof of permission in written format from the rightful owner when they submit their entry.
The Judging Process
The judging panel is made up of volunteers from business, industry and education. Some of the judges are Autodesk employees; others are Autodesk customers or educators. Judges are familiar with the FIRST Robotics Competition, with previous Autodesk Design Competitions, and with the application of Autodesk products and other technologies in media and entertainment.
Judges will review all entries. Five finalists will be selected to advance to final judging. The professional Autodesk judges will also choose the final overall winner. There will be no peer judging in the overall competition this season.
The winner will be announced during The 2009 FIRST Competition Championship Awards Ceremony. Representatives from the winning team will be acknowledged on the main stage if present. The winner will also be posted and highlighted on the Autodesk FIRSTbase site.
Award:
Each winning team will receive the following:
• One engraved trophy
• Two laptop computers
• Five Autodesk products of your choice (some restrictions apply)
• $500 worth of Autodesk logo merchandise
• A web banner indicating the award for the team to place on their website
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can we use Autodesk Maya?
A: Even though Maya is an Autodesk product for creating animations, we will not be able to accept entries created in it for this competition. In order to give all submission’s an equal opportunity, the donated product; Autodesk 3ds Max must be used.
Q: Can we use third party product products to help create our animation?
A: The goal of the Autodesk Design Competition is to use the Autodesk products provided to create the animation. Third party products, plug-ins, enhancements can only be used if they are free of charge for any team to use and they are not copyrighted material. This allows an even playing field for all teams to participate in the design competition.
Q: How do the regional design competitions differ?
A: Click here for more details on how the regional design competition works.
Notes from the Judges:
What makes a good story?
Storytelling
• Computer animation is used for communication. The communication could be in the form of a lesson or entertainment, among other things, but can also be a combination of techniques. For the purposes of this competition we would like you to focus on the teaching aspect with elements of entertainment woven in where appropriate.
• Good communication must have a strong beginning, and informative middle, and a powerful ending that will help your message stick in the minds of the viewers. A strong beginning can raise a question that gets the viewers thinking, a middle that provides detail, and the ending then answers the question definitively.
• Even though your topic may be complex, present the core idea to the viewers in a simple and concrete form and then use the 3-D graphics to entertain them or surprise them and finally finish with a bang, providing the answer.
• The 3-D graphics are a supporting actor in the process, not the reason for the communication. Don’t fall into the trap of creating overly complex animations that end abruptly and leave the audience bewildered. Carefully storyboard the animation before creating any 3-D scenes to minimize surprises during production.
Good luck teams!
FOLLOW THIS ADVICE!!!
Yeah Keep it simple this is the way my team is looking to go after so many years of complex meanings within our animations…
Good luck to everyone we have 41 days an counting