Animation Skillnet is delighted to welcome back Matt Shaw for an online version of this course, which will take place over 10 sessions online.
Python is a powerful programming language that is very accessible to beginners. It’s becoming one of the most popular languages and is used in a lot of applications, web services and of course, all throughout the animation and VFX industry. The course content is applicable to all versions of Python, but will be taught through Python 3 as it is the most up to date. Learning to write code can be daunting, but no prior knowledge is required for this course, everything is explained step by step. The tutor has designed this course in a way that he would have liked to be taught when he first learned Python on his own.
Course Content
Each week will address a new area of Python to explore, and will include notes, slides, and exercises.
- Week 1: Python basics – types, variables, operators, and code flow. We’ll learn how to write some simple Python that can get user input, do something with it, and write out the result.
- Week 2: Conditionals and Containers – How to only run the parts of the code that are needed, and how to store and access large numbers of values.
- Week 3: Loops – Now that we can store lots of data, we’ll learn how to process all of it easily.
- Week 4: Functions and scope – Writing reusable blocks of code and how to structure it.
- Week 5: Modules – We’ll start to learn how to separate code into multiple files, and how to install and use external libraries. We’ll have an overview of how to use our python knowledge with programs like Nuke and Maya.
By the end of this course, you will be able to start writing your own basic python tools, with the knowledge of how to deal with any errors you encounter, and a good outline of how to continue learning. Support materials for getting started with python in applications like Maya and Nuke will also be provided.
Tutor info
Matthew Shaw is a self-taught python developer who went on to become a Pipeline Team Lead at Boulder Features, and is now working as a Software Engineer for Demonware. Originally from an artistic background he studied 3D and compositing with Escape Studios in London. He took up python as a hobby and has since gone into full time professional development.
Dates & Times:
From 7pm-9pm on Monday and Wednesday evenings:
August 23rd, 25th, 30th
September 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th and 22nd.
Cost:
Members: 100 Euro, Non Members: 125 Euro
Application Procedure:
Please note that applicants must have a current, valid address in the Republic of Ireland in order to be considered for this course.
Deadline for Applications:
Friday 13th of August at 12pm