Course Title: Create 3D digital environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: COSC5384C

Course Title: Create 3D digital environments

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5218 - Diploma of Interactive Digital Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Mr Arthur Michalopoulos
Phone: 9925 4111
Email: arthur.michalopoulos@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

none

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to generate 3D environments using current 3D software that shows an integration of appropriate elements within an aesthetically unified design.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFANM502A Create 3D digital environments

Element:

2 Create 3D digital environments

Performance Criteria:

5. Use software features to build a pre-visualisation of environments in relation to reference
materials and submit to relevant personnel for approval

6. Build environment models and progressively refine models until they meet
design requirements.

7. Check integrity of models and ensure spatial relationship meets design requirements.

8. Apply texture coordinates as required.

9. Create and incorporate matte paintings as required

10. Manipulate software features to apply lighting and shaders as required.

11.Experiment with different lighting rigs and select a rig that meets design requirements.

12. Continuously refine all aspects of 3D digital environments until the required creative effect
is achieved.

13. Submit environments to relevant personnel for comment on whether production
requirements have been met and make final adjustments as required.
 

Element:

3 Finalise projects.

Performance Criteria:

14. Render and output environments in required format and submit to relevant
personnel by agreed deadlines.

15. Finalise projects according to enterprise procedures, such as making back-
up copies of files and completing workplace documentation

16.Participate in project evaluations and contribute ideas and suggestions about
ways to improve future projects.

 

Element:

1 Clarify work requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 With reference to production documentation, determine requirements and purpose for 3D digital environments

1.2 In consultation with relevant personnel, determine work flow sequences to ensure that production schedule deadlines are met

1.3 Select software that best suits the type of production and delivery platform for which 3D digital environments are being created

1.4 Gather and analyse reference materials to help with visualisation of 3D environments


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to develop a concept from an idea into a 3D environment


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will consist of:
In-class activities:
• teacher guided instruction
• peer teaching and class presentations
• online research
• group discussion
• independent project based work
• workshopping of students’ own projects
• screenings
• guest lecturers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
Out-of-class activities:
• project work
• independent research
• independent study


Teaching Schedule

Project work/review

Week

 

Class Content

Assessment Due Date Elements
1 Intro/group discussion. What is 3D? A more inclusive approach utilising broader artistic traditions. Film screening: TBA
Student examples
  1.1,1.2,1.3, 1.4
2 Group discussions Maya basics 1 Representing 3D space. The Universe, Cartesian grid, the origin, primitive objects, Interface & incremental values, selection modes, project & file management
 
  1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
3 Maya basics/modelling tools
 
  1.1,1.2,1.3, 1.4,
3.2,3.3
4 Maya basics/modelling tools. Eg. Making simple objects, layers, etc

Design proposal brief (part 2: character)
  1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
5
Maya basics/modelling tools. Eg. Making simple objects, Nodes & Attributes, The edit polygons menu

 
submission of Formative assessment Task 1 1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
6
Maya basics/modelling tools Eg. Polygon menu, The edit polygons menu , object display, Polygon menu, The edit polygons menu.

 
  1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
7 Maya basics/modelling tools Eg Append to Polygon tool, Mirror poly. objects, Object Rendering a Scene. Introduction to lighting   1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
8 Mood and atmosphere in film. Examples through history/cinematography Lights in 3D - global, intensity, fall off, colour, shadows, 3 point lighting. Overall Technical review
 
  2.9,3.2, 3.3
9 Additional Maya techniques (NURBS, subdivisions etc)   1.2,1.4, 2.6,2.7
10 Project work   1.2,1.4, 2.4,2.5,2.6,2.7
11 Project work/review  submission of Formative assessment Task 2 1.2,1.4, 2.4,2.5,2.6,2.7,
2.9.3.3
12 Lighting, Shaders & rendering

General Project work
  1.2,1.4, 2.4,2.5,2.6,2.7
13 Lighting, Shaders & rendering . Design/research for colour & textures
 
  1.2,1.4, 2.4,2.5,2.6,2.7,
2.9.3.3
14 Lighting, Shaders & rendering 4

Project work/review
  2.1,2.2.2.3,2.4,
2.5,2.6,2.7,2.8,
3.1,3.2,3.3
15 Project work/review

submission of summative assessment task

2.1,2.2.2.3,2.4,
2.5,2.6,2.7,2.8,
3.1,3.2,3.3
Week 16
   
 
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

List of prescribed texts will be on the course blackboard site.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

None.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.


Assessment Tasks

Overview of assessment   

The project will involve designing and building in 3D a stage set environment for a ‘horror ‘ theatrical production. This will form part of the Animation Project folio piece (Monster Scream Audition) - a joint project with Animation 1 (Design Animation & Digital Visual Effects’)
A key Reference for this project will be the film ‘Suspiria’, directed by Dario Argento in 1977. This will be shown within your film screening program in the Design Studio class


Assessment tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either:
Ungraded (formative) or graded (Summative)

NB: Ungraded tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for a final (graded) assessment task
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive verbal feedback on all assessment from either your teacher or peer (student) feedback

NB: Both Formative and Summative assessments are COMPULSORY

Formative Assessment tasks (Details in specific assignment brief)

Assessment task 1: Design (formative assessment) Due: Week 5
This will involve the initial design for the ‘Monster Scream Audition’
Stage (Refer to assessment brief for specific details)

Assessment task 2: Develop (formative assessment) Due: Week 11
This will largely involve the construction of models, arrangement,
Colours and lighting for the stage (Refer to assessment brief for specific
details)

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment (not graded)

CA Competency achieved

NYC Not yet competent

DNS Did not submit for assessment

Summative Assessment (graded) (Details in specific assignment briefs)

Summative Assessment task 3: Animation Project 1 - Final build - Due Week 15
This will involve finalizing the animation for the ‘Monster Scream
Audition’, including combining all 2D and 3D elements
(Refer to assessment brief for specific details)


Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
CHD    Competent with High Distinction
CDI      Competent with Distinction
CC       Competent with Credit
CAG    Competency Achieved - Graded
DNS     Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity


Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview