Course Title: Create 3D digital environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2022

Course Code: VART6494C

Course Title: Create 3D digital environments

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5413 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Course Contact: Jesse Roberts

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4107

Course Contact Email: jesse.roberts2@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Arthur Michalopoulos
arthur.michalopoulos@rmit.edu.au
+61 3 9925 4815


Program Coordinator: Nat Bates
nat.bates@rmit.edu.au
9925 3326

Nominal Hours: 60

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

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to create 3D digital environments using appropriate software, reference material and established designs.



National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAANM512 Create 3D digital environments

Element:

1. Clarify work requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine requirements and purpose for 3D digital environments with reference to production documentation

1.2 Identify workflow sequences and production deadlines in consultation with required personnel

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 for visualisation of 3D environments

Element:

2. Create 3D digital environments

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Build a previsualisation of environments in relation to reference materials using software features, and submit to required personnel for approval

2.2 Build realistically detailed environment models and progressively refine them until they meet design requirements

2.3 Check integrity of models and ensure spatial relationship meets design requirements

2.4 Apply texture coordinates according to design requirements

2.5 Create and incorporate matte paintings according to design requirements

2.6 Apply lighting and shaders according to design requirements

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

2.8 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards for extended periods of time

2.9 Continuously refine all aspects of 3D digital environments until required creative effect is achieved

2.10 Submit environments to required personnel for feedback on whether production requirements have been met and make final adjustments as required

Element:

3. Finalise projects

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Render and output environments and submit to required personnel by agreed deadlines

3.2 Make back-up copies of files, and save and store animations using appropriate output file formats and standard naming conventions

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


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection

Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs & resources

WeekClass SummaryAssessment 
Week 1

Introduction to creating 3D digital environments

What is 3D?

Introduction to assessments and the 'workbook'

Using 3D software & the overall process


Week 2

Technical & Design requirements 

Clarify work requirements & Establish workflow sequences

Software interface basics

Introduction to Polygonal Primitives modelling & tools 


Week 3

3D Modelling tools & processes

Polygonal Primitives, component modes & layers

Tools: Extrude, edge loop, merge 

Work in Progress AT1 consultations (review 1) 


Week 4

Materials and shaders

Image maps & textures

UV Mapping

Work in Progress AT1 consultations (review 1) 


Week 5

Lighting and shadows

Light types: directional, point, spot

Light attributes & basic rendering

Work in Progress AT1 consultations (review 2


Week 6

Consolidating & evaluating a 3D digital environment

Additional modelling tools & processes

Work in Progress AT1 consultations (review 2) 


Week 7

'Haunted Playground' brief & technical requirements

Clarify & develop research & design 

Advanced  modelling tools & processes

AT1 3D environment number 1
Week 8

Advanced  materials & shaders 

image & texture creation techniques

Incorporating alpha channels

UV Mapping tools & processes


Week 9

Theatrical lighting

Advanced Lighting & rendering 

Coordinating  3D environment tools & processes

Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 1) 


Week 10

Consolidating  a 3D digital environment

Attention to detail in 3D

'Theatrical' devices such as back-drops and matte painting

Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 1) 


Week 11

Review of 3D processes

modelling tools

materials & shaders

Lighting, rendering & output

Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 2) 


Week 12

Rendering & Output

Rendering options

Render panel and antialiasing

 Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 2)


Week 13

Consolidating  a 3D digital environment

Lighting, rendering & output

Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 2) 


Week 14

Putting it all together

The compositing process

Work in Progress AT2 consultations (review 2) 


Week 15

Review and Project evaluation

Fulfilling the brief requirements

worked/didn't work

Lessons for future productions


Week 16 OPEN class presentations & discussion AT2  3D environment number 2
Week 17 Semester evaluation & review  



Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.


You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria

Assignment 01: 3D environment 1

You will create a 3D digital environment, using the resources and client brief provided.

Due week 7

Assignment 02: 3D environment 2

You will create a 3D digital environment, using the resources and client brief provided.

Due week 16


Assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit


Assessment Matrix



The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.


Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time): https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

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.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview