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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Animate particles and natural effects for 3D animation and visual effects 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242552  Animate particles and natural effects for 3D animation and visual effects 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Audio-visual Media Production 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Media Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The purpose of the learning is to be able to animate natural phenomena such as dust, fireworks, rain, water, and smoke, and anything with independent dynamics, for example, swarms of insects. Animated particles and natural effects greatly enhance the aesthetic value of 3D animation, ensuring that the appropriate style is achieved. This impacts directly on audience satisfaction, and can improve the accessibility of communication messages and information for specific audiences.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Analysing animation requirements against specific criteria.
  • Creating moving particles and natural effects for 3D animation.
  • Creating emitters and volume fields for animated particles and natural effects.
  • Evaluating quality of moving particles and natural effects. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits and level assigned to this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners have already attained the following competencies:
  • Describe, represent, analyse and explain changes in shape and motion in 2- and 3-dimensional space with justification (NLRD ID 7484).
  • Communication and language (NQF Level 4).
  • Computer literacy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are provided where relevant with specific outcomes and assessment criteria. Particles and natural effects include any natural phenomena such as dust, fireworks, rain, water, and smoke, and anything with independent dynamics, for example, swarms of insects. Particles are points created and displayed as dots, streaks, spheres, or other shapes. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Analyse animation requirements against specific criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Analysis is done according to animation principles, timing, and rendering requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reference material appropriate for specific contexts is used for analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The physics of phenomena to be animated is taken into account in the animation process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Analysis of animation requirements is done according to shot dynamics of film cuts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Production strategies make effective use of the available production pipeline. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Work is handled adhering to legal requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal requirements include legislation regarding copyright, intellectual property, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Create moving particles and natural effects for 3D animation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Motion, velocity and appearance are stylistically appropriate for storyboard requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appearance includes colour and other attributes that control particle appearance.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Software is used correctly and effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Software plug-ins are used where available and appropriate for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Communication with relevant persons is maintained when required, and clearly specifies selected approaches to the process of effects. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Relevant persons can include programmers and compositers.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Production pipeline is utilised effectively in terms of resources and capacity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Efficiency refers to time and costs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Particles and effects take into account compositing process requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Create emitters and volume fields for animated particles and natural effects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Emitters are made to control the position, direction, quantity and velocity of particles and natural effects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Points of origin, and fields for and direction of movement are checked that they are stylistically appropriate for storyboard requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Software is used correctly and effectively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Software plug-ins are used where available and appropriate for specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Communication with relevant persons is maintained when required, and clearly specifies selected approaches to the process of effects. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Relevant persons can include programmers and compositors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Production pipeline is utilised effectively in terms of resources and capacity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Efficiency refers to time and costs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Emitters and volume fields take into account compositing process requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Adherence to relevant animation principles is checked. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate quality of moving particles and natural effects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Given quality criteria are identified and accurately described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Evaluation which includes consultation with all relevant persons and feedback is obtained from all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Improvements are recommended where relevant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Moving particles and natural effects are checked for compliance with all specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Check-up lists for the relevance of processes to animation principles are completed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • Animation, timing, stylistic, compositing and rendering requirements.
  • The physics of phenomena to be animated.
  • Shot dynamics of film cuts.
  • Production pipelines.
  • Motion, velocity and appearance of moving particles and natural effects.
  • Emitters and volume fields for animated particles and natural effects.
  • Software plug-ins.
  • Points of origin, and fields for and direction of movement.
  • Principles of animation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions when improvements are recommended where relevant. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when the production pipeline is utilised effectively in terms of resources and capacity. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to analyse animation requirements against specific requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation when communication with relevant persons is maintained when required, and communication clearly specifies selected approaches to the process of effects. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others to create moving particles and natural effects for 3D animation and to create emitters and volume fields for animated particles and natural effects. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when the physics of phenomena to be animated are taken into account. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57607   National Certificate: 3D Animation and Visual Effects  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Mpande Technologies cc 
    2. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    3. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.