FIT1033 Foundations of 3D - Semester 2, 2013

This unit is an introduction to the techniques, frameworks and processes comprising 3D modelling and 3D imaging. Foundations of 3D aims to give students an understanding of 3D modelling by developing skills in 3D model creation for a variety of contexts, including 3D prototyping, 3D visualisation and 3D modelling for games and animation. Students will communicate their knowledge of 3D theory through the production of designs that demonstrate geometrical modelling, texture mapping, virtual lighting techniques, camera positioning, and rendering procedures.

Mode of Delivery

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs tutorials/wk

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week during semester on this unit as follows:

Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorials/Lab Sessions: 2 hours per week per tutorial
and up to an additional 8 hours in some weeks for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

FIT2015, DIS1911

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

• A demonstrated understanding of the different applications of 3D design over a range of digital media;
• an appreciation of the commercial imperatives of the 3D working environment;
• an understanding of the simulated spatial environment and taxonomy of the 3D discipline;
• a practical understanding of the issues involved in the 3D development process;
• an appreciation of 3D modelling and 3D imaging as a unique medium in the context of digital graphic creation;
• developed the skills to design, create and detail 3D models and scenes for various outputs;
• the ability to evaluate and assess techniques used in the 3D creation process;
• developed the skills to manage and implement efficient 3D modelling production workflows.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100% (includes 30% in-class/tutorial tests)

Teaching Approach

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Assignment 1

  Description:

  Students are to source a real object (as opposed to just an image of an object) which they can bring into class and recreate in digital 3D space. The modelling technique(s) used will be based upon tutorial exercise work, though students are welcome to implement additional techniques that they have researched in their own time.
  
  Selecting your object is important; it should be portable and small so you can easily turn it around and examine it. For example, if you choose to model a car, you would be referencing your geometry from a plastic or metal model car (like one of the 'matchbox' series), and not photographs of a full size vehicle.
  
  While some objects will be too complex to model in 3D, others can be too simple, so students will need to negotiate their ideas/models with their tutors at least two weeks prior to submission. Students are encouraged to look further afield than the object that they may be merely carrying on their person; mobile phones and sets of keys are hardly original modelling candidates. The miscellaneous trinkets, souvenirs, children’s toys and small collectable items that can be purchased in opportunity shops, weekend markets and '$2' shops are some ideas for possible modelling candidates. 

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Modelling effectiveness and efficient geometry
  • Basic lighting and colouring of subject/objects
  • Presentation, composition and visual impact of rendered scene
  • Accompanying project documentation, working files and reference images

  Due date:

  Week 4

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Assignment 2

  Description:

  This assignment involves the 3D creation of either an interior or exterior architectural environment which is coloured (textured), lit with a 3D lighting scheme and rendered. 
  
  While the 3D modelling of your scene may or may not draw from real world references, your textures must derive from your own photographic images. Using a digital camera, you must capture and edit digital images and integrate these into your modelled scene. Your preparation and editing of textures forms an important part of your documentation and assessment.
  
  Your architectural scene can be inside or outside and your scene choice must be negotiated with your tutor at least a week prior to submission. An interior scene entails not only modelling and detailing an enclosed space but also considering the light from lamps/windows/candlelight and shadows within it. Choosing an exterior scene means considering not only sunlight or moonlight but also the environmental surroundings of your architectural visualisation.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Modelling technique and quality of geometry
  • Lighting and texturing techniques
  • Presentation and visual impact of renders
  • Documentation; working files, reference images and annotated screenshots of image editing and modelling process

  Due date:

  Week 8

• Assessment task 3

  Title:

  Assignment 3

  Description:

  In this assignment students will be creating an original 3D character first with modelling plasticine and then using this model as a primary reference to create a 3D character with Maya software. The practice of prototyping a plasticine models or maquettes has a long history in the animation discipline, and for the purposes of this final assignment, your plasticine prototype should assist in testing your initial ideas, setting a limit the complexity of your character, and ensuring originality. Finally, such prototyping serves to bring out fundamental similarities in, and differences between, the procedures of polygonal modelling and clay modelling. This plasticine protype model forms part of the assessment of your final assignment and needs to be included as reference imagery (modelling/lighting/basic texturing) in your documentation.
  
  As your character concept is hypothetically targeted for a computer game environment, and because further levels of detail are easier to add than subtract, your final Maya character has a limit of 10,000 polygons and needs to be modelled as a single mesh.  You are encouraged to research your creation with a range of references as your character should be an original one and not simply a copy of a character from an existing game, animation or movie. Your Maya character should include basic colouring and texturing: character UV texturing is encouraged but is not mandatory. Because this assignment concerns the creation and detailing of a character, no environment or background is required.

  Weighting:

  30%

  Criteria for assessment:

  • Modelling technique and quality of geometry
  • Texturing techniques and character colouring (UV texturing is optional)
  • The presentation and visual impact of your rendered character
  • Documentation: character explanatory brief, working files, character prototype reference images

  Due date:

  Week 14

• Assessment task 4

  Title:

  Tutorial Tests

  Description:

  There will be three tutorial tests during the semester. These tests will be carried out within the Maya software editing environment. Each test will cover a theme closely related to one of the three assignments.
  
  Tutorial Test 1: 3D Modelling 
  Outline: Students will be required to model and render sample 3D objects supplied by their tutors and produce renders with basic colours and lighting.
  
  Tutorial Test 2: 3D Texturing and Lighting 
  Outline: Students will be required to texture and light a simple 3D environment supplied by their tutors with a limited number of textures (jpegs).
  
  Tutorial Test 3: Basic 3D Character Creation
  Outline: Students will be required to model a basic 3D character supplied by their tutor. Please note that in contrast to the previous tests, this third tutorial test takes place in Week 12, before the final assignment submission in Week 14.

  Weighting:

  30% (10% each)

  Criteria for assessment:

  Tutorial Test 1: 3D Modelling
  Grading Criteria: Modelling Procedures, Scene Lighting, Colouring and Rendering.
  
  Tutorial Test 2: 3D Texturing and Lighting
  Grading Criteria: Image Editing and Texturing Techniques, Rendering and Lighting.

  Tutorial Test 3: Basic 3D Character Creation
  Grading Criteria: 3D Modelling Technique, Rendering, Colouring and Composition.

  Due date:

  Weeks 5, 9 and 12

Learning resources

Feedback to you

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Test results and feedback

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Referencing requirements

In the course of researching their assignments, students are encouraged to reference online resources related to the 3D modelling and animation discipline in their assignment documentation. When including images or text references in their documentation, students should cite the URL and author (if applicable) and the date when the page was accessed.

Assignment submission

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Recommended Resources

Autodesk® Maya® 2013 software will be provided on campus lab computers, and students are encouraged to register with the Autodesk Education Community for their own educational trial version of Autodesk® Maya® 2013 (please note - not Autodesk® Maya® 2014) and related Autodesk software under the company's terms and conditions. Please visit:

http://students.autodesk.com/

Again, please do not download and install Autodesk® Maya®2014 as your tutors will be unable to open your files.

See Recommended text(s) listed below:

The following titles are available on reserve or through a short term loan through the Monash library. Please note that though these mainly general references. There is also a considerable collection of books and DVDs for specific 3D studies (creating characters, architecture, lighting and texturing) at both the Monash Caulfield and Monash Berwick libraries.

See also:

The Art of 3-D : Computer Animation and Imaging / Isaac Victor Kerlow (various editions)

The Art of 3-D : Computer Animation and Effects / Isaac Victor Kerlow (various editions)

Recommended text(s)

Todd Palamar, Lee Lanier, Anthony Honn. (2012). Mastering Autodesk Maya 2013. () Sybex (ISBN: 1118130588).

Dariush Derakhshani. (2012). Introducing Autodesk Maya 2013. () Sybex (ISBN: 1118130561).

Additional subject costs

Assignment 1 requires students to source a small object that they can bring to tutorials to model in 3D.  Getting the right object is tricky: some objects will be too easy to model and others are too complex.  While sometimes students might be able source suitable objects from home, the scope of more interesting, original and very affordable objects (between 50 cents to $5) is much broader at second hand stores, trash and treasure fairs and opportunity shops.

Assignment 2 requires students to take digital photos of textures (walls/carpets/skies etc.) and edit them for inclusion in their model. Though digital cameras would offer more options and better quality images, most mobile phones will be sufficient for this exercise as the photos do not have to be high resolution.

Assignment 3 requires students to create and model a character for a fictional computer game. Before modelling their character with 3D software, students will be required to prototype their character with modelling plasticine. This material costs approximately $10 and is available from the campus bookshops at Berwick and Caulfield. Alternatively, multicoloured modelling plasticine from Coles or Safeway costs between $3 and $5. 

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student services

Monash University Library

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Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

Generally student feedback about this unit has been very positive, therefore only minor changes have been made since its previous offering. Unit materials, tutorials and exercises continue to be updated each year.