Animation Mentor's Software and Hardware Requirements
Because we are an online school, you must have a computer with an Internet connection, a headset with microphone, and a webcam. Your computer must also be able to run the required versions of Maya. Below you can see a list of all the hardware and software requirements you will need:
Operating System Requirements (One of the following)
Hardware Requirements
If you're unsure that your system meeds the required hardware to run Maya, please make sure to look at the Maya system requirements as well as Autodesk's recommended system hardware page. (We recommend matching to the latest Maya version requirements. This is to ensure that when later versions are supported, your system will be able to run them)
Software Requirements
Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox - Required
As an online school, a solid internet browser is a requirement. We strongly recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your school browser as they are the most robust and will run the school campus best.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Acrobat Reader or any PDF Reader- Required
A PDF reader is required to be able to read your course syllabus and many other important documents in Animation Mentor. We recommend Acrobat Reader, however any PDF reader should work.
Acrobat Reader
Winzip or 7Zip - Required (Mac users can use the built-in Mac zip tool)
A compression utility tool is essential to working with compressed zip files. Animation Mentor uses zip files in a few instances and being able to extract the files and content from the zips is necessary to work with them. We recommend Winzip or 7Zip however any compression utility tool can be used provided it works with .zip files.
WinZip
7Zip
Autodesk Maya - Required
Maya 2015, 2016, or 2017 (Keep in mind that AMP in Maya will not work in versions of Maya above 2015 so if you have Maya 2016 or later you will have to use the standalone AMP Content Navigator)
How to download Maya
Once Maya is installed, download the latest Maya service pack from Autodesk for all the latest updates and bug fixes.
Keyframe MP - Required
Keyframe MP is a video player you can use to scrub and playback your animation after playblasting it from Maya.
Keyframe MP Website
How to Install Keyframe MP
The Free version is all you will need for the course. The paid version includes audio scrubbing and more features which may be very useful for later acting and dialogue classes but is not required.
VideoPad - Required
VideoPad is video editing software you will use to encode your assignment videos to match the video requirements for Animation Mentor. It will also allow you to combine videos for progress reels, demo reels, and other uses.
VideoPad Website
Note: You will need the Paid Home Edition of VideoPad (or another similar program able to encode files following the required upload procedures).
Image Editing Software - Required
GIMP is a free image editing program you will use to resize, edit, and work with images.
If you have other image editing software such as Photoshop, Clip Studio, or similar, you may use those as well.
GIMP Website
The AM Menu/Tools - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)
The AM Menu is a set of tools such as the GUI Picker, Pose Master, and others. It also includes the rig licenser, which means that any of the advanced rigs will not open and will come in flattened if you do not have the AM Menu properly installed.
Download Page - AnimationRigs.com
If you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check the AM Menu Knowledge Base for answers to many common problems.
NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need the AM Menu and it will not be available to you.
The AM Pipeline (AMP) - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)
The AM Pipeline, or AMP, is a cloud-based file storage which provides a safe, secure place to work on your assignments. It also allows for mentors or support staff to easily look at and help you with your files.
Please make sure to read through and follow all of the tutorials provided in the AMP Orientation to have a better understanding of how to use AMP
Download Page - PC / Mac
If you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check the AMP Knowledge Base for answers to many common problems.
NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need AMP and it will not be available to you
Operating System Requirements (One of the following)
- Microsoft Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10
- Apple Mac OS X 10.8.5, 10.9.x, or 10.10.x
Hardware Requirements
- Three button mouse (a two button mouse will not work with Maya)
- Headset with microphone
- Webcam
- 4 GB of RAM (8GB recommended)
- 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor
If you're unsure that your system meeds the required hardware to run Maya, please make sure to look at the Maya system requirements as well as Autodesk's recommended system hardware page. (We recommend matching to the latest Maya version requirements. This is to ensure that when later versions are supported, your system will be able to run them)
Software Requirements
Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox - Required
As an online school, a solid internet browser is a requirement. We strongly recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your school browser as they are the most robust and will run the school campus best.
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Acrobat Reader or any PDF Reader- Required
A PDF reader is required to be able to read your course syllabus and many other important documents in Animation Mentor. We recommend Acrobat Reader, however any PDF reader should work.
Acrobat Reader
Winzip or 7Zip - Required (Mac users can use the built-in Mac zip tool)
A compression utility tool is essential to working with compressed zip files. Animation Mentor uses zip files in a few instances and being able to extract the files and content from the zips is necessary to work with them. We recommend Winzip or 7Zip however any compression utility tool can be used provided it works with .zip files.
WinZip
7Zip
Autodesk Maya - Required
Maya 2015, 2016, or 2017 (Keep in mind that AMP in Maya will not work in versions of Maya above 2015 so if you have Maya 2016 or later you will have to use the standalone AMP Content Navigator)
How to download Maya
Once Maya is installed, download the latest Maya service pack from Autodesk for all the latest updates and bug fixes.
Keyframe MP - Required
Keyframe MP is a video player you can use to scrub and playback your animation after playblasting it from Maya.
Keyframe MP Website
How to Install Keyframe MP
The Free version is all you will need for the course. The paid version includes audio scrubbing and more features which may be very useful for later acting and dialogue classes but is not required.
VideoPad - Required
VideoPad is video editing software you will use to encode your assignment videos to match the video requirements for Animation Mentor. It will also allow you to combine videos for progress reels, demo reels, and other uses.
VideoPad Website
Note: You will need the Paid Home Edition of VideoPad (or another similar program able to encode files following the required upload procedures).
Image Editing Software - Required
GIMP is a free image editing program you will use to resize, edit, and work with images.
If you have other image editing software such as Photoshop, Clip Studio, or similar, you may use those as well.
GIMP Website
The AM Menu/Tools - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)
The AM Menu is a set of tools such as the GUI Picker, Pose Master, and others. It also includes the rig licenser, which means that any of the advanced rigs will not open and will come in flattened if you do not have the AM Menu properly installed.
Download Page - AnimationRigs.com
If you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check the AM Menu Knowledge Base for answers to many common problems.
NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need the AM Menu and it will not be available to you.
The AM Pipeline (AMP) - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)
The AM Pipeline, or AMP, is a cloud-based file storage which provides a safe, secure place to work on your assignments. It also allows for mentors or support staff to easily look at and help you with your files.
Please make sure to read through and follow all of the tutorials provided in the AMP Orientation to have a better understanding of how to use AMP
Download Page - PC / Mac
If you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check the AMP Knowledge Base for answers to many common problems.
NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need AMP and it will not be available to you
What can I expect on the first day of class?
On the first day of class, you will automatically be given full access to Animation Mentor. With so many new options available you may not know where to start! So here are our suggestions on what to do on the first day of class to get the most out of your Animation Mentor experience:
- Watch all of the videos in the quick start series, found under AM News on the new campus.
- Watch your first lecture! This lecture will introduce you to Animation Mentor and will undoubtedly build your excitement for animation even more! Don’t forget to take notes!
- Update your about page in the “My Profile” area under your profile so your peers can learn more about you.
- Read the Class Guidelines and follow the instructions and tutorials to become familiar with the Zoom tool.
- Visit your class using the “My Courses” dropdown. From here, you can send a message to your class introducing yourself and share your excitement with your classmates and mentor! View the profiles and video journals of each of them to learn more about your fellow classmates with whom you will spend the next 12 weeks studying animation!
Academic Calendar
Winter 2018 Term (January 2 - March 23, 2018)
- January 2, 2018 - Winter 2018 Term begins
- January 22, 2018 - Spring 2018 Registration opens
- February 12, 2018 - Winter 2018 B Workshops begin
- March 5, 2018 - Fall 2018 Applications open
- March 16, 2018 - Spring 2018 Registration and Payment Deadline
- March 23, 2018 - Winter 2018 Term ends
- March 26, 2018 - Spring 2018 Term begins
- April 14, 2018 - Summer 2018 Registration opens
- May 7, 2018 - Spring 2018 B Workshops begin
- May 28, 2018 - Winter 2019 Applications open
- June 8, 2018 - Summer 2018 Registration and Payment Deadline
- June 15, 2018 - Spring 2018 Term ends
- June 25, 2018 - Summer 2018 Term begins
- July 4, 2018 - Animation Mentor office closed for Independence Day
- July 16, 2018 - Fall 2018 Registration opens
- August 6, 2018 - Summer 2018 B Workshops begin
- August 27, 2018 - Spring 2019 Applications open
- September 3, 2018 - Animation Mentor office closed for Labor Day
- September 7, 2018 - Fall 2018 Registration and Payment Deadline
- September 14, 2018 - Summer 2018 Term ends
- September 25, 2018 - Fall 2018 Term begins
- October 15, 2018 - Winter 2019 Registration opens
- November 5, 2018 - Fall 2018 B Workshops begin
- November 22-23, 2018 - Animation Mentor office closed for Thanksgiving holiday
- November 26, 2018 - Summer 2019 Applications open
- December 7, 2018 - Winter 2019 Registration and Payment Deadline
- December 14, 2018 - Fall 2018 Term ends
- December 24-25, 2018 - Animation Mentor office closed for Christmas holiday
- December 31, 2018 - Animation Mentor office closed for New Year's Eve
- January 1, 2019 - Animation Mentor office closed for New Year's Day
What lectures am I able to access?
You have access to the lectures specific to the class you are currently enrolled in. After completing a term with a passing grade, you will maintain access to the lectures you've had during that term.
To make the most of the term, we recommend taking notes on the key points of the lectures.
To make the most of the term, we recommend taking notes on the key points of the lectures.
What do I have access to after I graduate from Animation Mentor?
Once you graduate from the Character Animation Program, you will gain access to Career Services. Career Services provides you with direct referral opportunities gained through our connection with studios in the industry and exclusive industry Q&As.
You will maintain access to the Student Site after graduation and will still be able to participate in the community.
You will maintain access to the Student Site after graduation and will still be able to participate in the community.
When is the Animation Mentor mentor office closed?
Please visit the Academic Calendar to view when the office is closed for holidays.
What is the typical weekly schedule for a student?
Lectures are posted on Sundays each week. You can watch the lecture at any point from then until the end of the term. You are required to attend 1 one-hour Q&A session each week. We offer Q&A’s on a variety of days and times to accommodate a wide range of time zones and personal schedules. Homework is due on Sundays at 12pm Noon Pacific Time. Your mentor will review your assignment the following week in a recorded eCritique™.
Here is a sample plan for one week as an Animation Mentor student:
Sunday:
Saturday:
Here is a sample plan for one week as an Animation Mentor student:
Sunday:
- Review your assignment and make any last adjustments before turning it in
- Upload your homework by 12pm Noon Pacific Time
- Comment on fellow students’ newly posted work on the Animation Mentor Campus
- Watch the new lecture for the week and check out the new homework assignment, including any new rigs and assets for the assignment
- Start planning the week’s assignment
- Watch your recorded eCritique for the week and take notes
- Work on the homework assignment a little bit each night
- Attend your weekly Q&A session with your mentor
- Attend any supplemental Q&A’s, if possible
- Focus on the homework assignment; try to get it close to finished
Saturday:
- Finish the homework assignment or as close to finished as you can get so you only have minor edits to do on Sunday
- Take a break! You worked hard this week
How much time should I plan to spend on my coursework?
We recommend spending 20-40 hours per week focused on animation while attending Animation Mentor. The time estimate depends on your skills in Maya, your skills as an animator, and where you are in the program. Included in this time estimate are our supplemental resources for you to take advantage of during your time here as well as your weekly Q&A and lecture.
It is possible to work full-time or attend another school full-time with very diligent time management. We offer Q&A’s on a variety of days and times to accommodate a wide range of time zones and personal schedules.
It is possible to work full-time or attend another school full-time with very diligent time management. We offer Q&A’s on a variety of days and times to accommodate a wide range of time zones and personal schedules.