Resource Category
info
Role: Member, Supervisor, Admin
Location:
- Page: Show
- Tab: Categories
Resource Categories are a set of metadata that differentiates groups of Resources and how they behave. Some common Resource Categories include Background, Character, and Prop.
There are three main types of a Resource Category:
Shot#
The Shot Category is an auto-generated Category that follows the expected Shot Workflow.
Asset#
The most general Resource Category and is used in the Shots. Characters, backgrounds, etc. should be set to Asset type.
Funpack#
Resources used for reference, inspiration, planning, and brainstorming should be set to the Funpack Category type.
Open Category Page#
To open a Category page, select a Show, click the Categories tab, and click one of the Categories from the list.
Create a Resource Category#
In the Categories tab of a Show page, you can click the "+" to add a new Resource Category. You will be asked to supply the following required assets:
- Type: Asset or Funpack.
- Name: Label for the Category.
- Template: The type of file
- Adobe Animate
- Toon Boom Harmony
- Adobe After Effects
- Concept Art
- Design
- Photoshop (.psd and .png accepted)
- Storyboard
- Image
- Other Asset (accepts .zip, no thumbnail generated)
- File Type: This is based on the template chosen.
What is a Work Stage?#
In Animan, each Resource must go through linear Stages from planning to completion. The Resource Category sets the default Stages to enable efficient management of workflow.
There are three components to a Stage:
Name#
The Stage name.
Type#
The stage type:
Work Stage
The Resource requires work from a Member to be completed.
Review Stage
The Resource is ready for Review by a Supervisor. After Review, the Stage will advance if approved or otherwise move back to a Work Stage for Revision.
Admin Stage
The Resource requires an Admin user to move it forward to the next Stage. Admin Stages are commonly used for the Planning Stage and the Finished Stage.
Colour#
The Stage colour.
In some overview pages, the Stage colour can help Supervisors quickly understand the progress of Resources and Shots.
Reviewer#
These users have the privilege to review the Stage.
Assigner#
These users have the privilege to assign the Work Stage to a Member.
Member#
The Members who are eligible to be assigned work by the Assigner.
Assign Stage working candidates#
Assign candidate members to a stage, so those members can work on the resource.
When assigning candidates, you can select a group to fast select a group of pre-defined members.
Admins can batch assign users to stages across multiple shots using the batch assign interface. Use the fields to filter shots and then assign.
How the Stages work#
When a Resource is created, it is set to the initial Stage that is defined by its Resource Category. Members, Supervisors, and Admins can control the Stage movement in the Resource page or Shot page.
Admin Stage#
At an Admin stage, Admin users can add reference Resources, instructions, and upload a template file. Once the Resource is ready for work, Admin users can click the "Done " button to advance to the next Stage.
Work Stage#
When a Resource is at a Work Stage, the assigned Member can check out the file to work on it.
CHECK OUT A FILE
If a Resource is checked out, no user except the one who checked it out can modify the file until the Resource is checked in again.
Always check out a Resource before downloading its file so that you have the latest version to work on.
Once the work is ready to be reviewed, the Member should upload the file, check in the Resource, and click the "Done " button to advance to the next Stage.
Review Stage#
When a Resource is on a Review Stage, the assigned Reviewers can download the file, Review it, and decide if the Resource can move to the next Stage.
If the Resource needs Revision, the Reviewer can click the button and select the "Reject " button to move the Resource back to the previous Stage and make an optional Comment.
Once the work is approved, the Supervisor can click the button and select the "Approve " option from the drop-down menu to advance the Resource to the next Stage.
Animation Stage#
The Animation Stage has special significance. It is what triggers Renderman to try to render video. If there is no Animation Stage present then the resource will not be sent to Renderman.
Moving the Animation Stage#
In the case of a workflow where video render is required at another stage, it possible to move the Renderman trigger.
- Edit the Category
- Shrink the view to 'display brief'
- Change the animation stage by clicking on a grayed out Animation Stage Icon
