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

Composite layers for 3D animation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242548  Composite layers for 3D animation 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
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 compositing layers of characters, objects, and backgrounds for 3D animation. Credited learners can composite layers economically and efficiently to produce 3D animation of specified quality. Good compositing enhances the aesthetic value of 3D animation, ensuring that the appropriate style is achieved. Compositing impacts on visual aesthetics of 3D animation, and, therefore, audience satisfaction. It is a technical competence, and credited learners also improve their ability to learn as they are able to analyse information, use the results of their analysis to take action, and evaluate their own work.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Selecting masking types appropriate for specific subjects.
  • Grouping layers for specific compositing processes.
  • Combining rendered objects into final shots.
  • Evaluating the quality of final shots against given criteria. 
    		•

    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. Layers consist of characters, objects, and backgrounds. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Select masking types appropriate for specific subjects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-production analysis of storyboards and planning takes account of animation and rendering requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Compositing strategies selected meet requirements of economy and efficiency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Use of software is fit for purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Use of software maximises efficiency within specific contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Group layers for specific compositing processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Characteristics of layers dictate grouping strategy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Order of layers is correct. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Layers are accurately identified and the file structure of the layers is managed according to specification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Grouping is justified in terms of final output requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Given deadlines and time frames are met and time is used efficiently. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Efficiency refers to time and costs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Combine rendered objects into final shots. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Output format is correct and compliant with reference material, including storyboard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Assembly of pictures and sound is to specification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Frame rates are correct for final resolution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Layers are correctly supplied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Legal requirements are adhered to. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal requirements include legislation regarding copyright, intellectual property, etc.
     

    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 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Evaluate the quality of final shots against given criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Given criteria are identified and described accurately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Evaluation 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 
    Layers are integrated seamlessly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    All composites meet output quality requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Relevant animation principles are adhered to at all times. 


    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:
  • Masking types for specific subjects.
  • Grouping layers, compositing strategies and processes.
  • Characteristics and order of layers.
  • Layer integration.
  • File structure of layers.
  • Final shot quality.
  • Output formats.
  • Assembly of pictures and sound.
  • Frame rates.
  • Resolution.
  • 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 layers are integrated seamlessly. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when Evaluation includes consultation with all relevant persons and feedback is obtained from all relevant persons. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when compositing strategies selected meet requirements of economy and efficiency. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when pre-production analysis of storyboards and planning takes account of animation and rendering requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to combine rendered objects into final shots. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when use of software is fit for purpose and maximises efficiency within specific contexts. 

    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 to select masking types appropriate for specific subjects and group layers for specific compositing processes. 

    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
    Core  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.