Course Title: Create 3D digital environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

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 : Josiane Mueller

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4585

Course Contact Email:josiane.mueller@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Mr Arthur Michalopoulos
Phone: 9925 8080
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:

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

Element:

2 Create 3D digital environments

Performance Criteria:

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

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

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

2.4 Apply texture coordinates as required.

2.5 Create and incorporate matte paintings as required

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

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

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

2.9 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:

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

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

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


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

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

Presentation & submission of Assessment task 1

Models & Lighting  proposal briefPresentation
Assignment 1-
Concept
presentation
(formative)
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

Models & Lighting formative assessment brief
  1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
6 (Monday 12 labour day holiday)  

No class for Group A & B    Project work for Group C    1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3

  1.4, 2.1.2.2,2.3
7 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
8 Maya basics/modelling tools  Eg Append to Polygon tool, Mirror poly. objects, Object Rendering a Scene. Introduction to lighting

Models & Lighting formative assessment
Models & Lighting formative assessment 2.9,3.2, 3.3
9a Additional Maya techniques   1.2,1.4, 2.6,2.7
9b Mood and atmosphere in film. Examples through history/cinematography Lights in 3D - global, intensity, fall off, colour, shadows, 3 point lighting. Overall Technical review
   
10 character modelling techniques

Presentation & submission of Models & Lighting

Character model formative assessment brief
Assignment 2-
Models
Presentation
(formative)
1.2,1.4, 2.4,2.5,2.6,2.7
11 No class for Group C    Project work for Groups A & B   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

Presentation & submission of Character mod
Assignment 3-
Presentation & submission of Character modLighting
presentation
(formative)
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   2.1,2.2.2.3,2.4,
2.5,2.6,2.7,2.8,
3.1,3.2,3.3
Week 16
16 Presentation & Submission Assignment 4-
Final submission
(summative)
2.1,2.2.2.3,2.4,
2.5,2.6,2.7,2.8,
3.1,3.2,3.3


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

The project for semester 1 consists of three interrelated assignments that will culminate with a 3D environment created using Maya software. Using the following poem by Rainer Maria Rilke as a starting point, you will come up with an idea for stage set design. You will continue to develop your ideas through the semester as you refine your technical skills in Maya. 


Assessment Tasks

Overview of assessment   

Create a stage set environment and humanoid character using one the following as the title/theme for a proposed theatrical production:

-    Titanic- first class!
-    Twilight in Shanghai
-    A Doll’s House
-    Heartburn Motel

There are two components for this semester project:

•    The stage set environment will be a collaborative component.
•    The character will be an individual component

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 briefs)

Assessment task 1: Design proposal  (part 1:environment)
Due: Week 3 Feb 20

Assessment task 2: i) Models & Lighting  ii) Team log
Due: Week 8 Mar 26

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

Assessment task 4    i) Models & Lighting  ii) Team log
Due: Week 10 Apr 16

Assessment task 6
complete semester project (Incorporating character and environment)
Due: Week 16 May 28
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

In industry, such as a games company, 3D is largely a collaborative process. In simulating this process for this course, you will be required to work in teams of two. In this team you will assist each other in the development of your individual designs as well as providing technical assistance.

To document this process, assignment 4 submission will need to include a short report from each student listing in point form aspects of this collaborative approach through the course of the semester. This could include any ideas given by the other student, what technical assistance you may have provided (e.g. explaining a software process) and where you worked collaboratively to solve a common problem. PUT ALL THIS INFORMATION ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT BRIEF ARTHUR

This course is co-delivered with CUFANM303A Create 3D Digital Models

Feedback:
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. This feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.ˇ

Late Submissions
Please advise teacher in advance if an extension of time or special consideration is required for submission of work. Refer to the course blackboard site for policy information including information on late submissions.

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.

Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:ˇ
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1

Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.


Course Overview: Access Course Overview