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Course Title: Form
Visualization
Course Number: Arts
Col
751, 5 credits
Description:
This course explores computer-generated 3D modeling concepts and
techniques. Principles of form aesthetics, composition, and lighting for
successful model presentation are also included in the material.
Course Objectives:
• Learn basic computer modeling vocabulary and become
familiar with the general methods of graphics investigation.
• Build a balanced modeling skill set, addressing technical,
aesthetic and conceptual aspects of cg form.
• Establish methodology for model analysis and problem solving
as related to high-end computer-generated form.
• Develop awareness of modeling process in collaborative and
independent work.
• Learn to discuss his/her own work
and peer projects with sensitivity and depth.
• Encourage application of visualization principles to student’s
own research.
Course Methodology:
1. Classes will include lectures, assigned readings, demonstations,
studio work, discussions and critiques of student work.
2. This course will heavily rely on class material.Please
attend each and every class.
3. Developing troubleshooting skills is as important as learning modeling
techniques. Be prepared to consult help menu, online cg forums, as well as
collaborate and help each other in solving technical and conceptual problems.
4. Participation is required in all critique sessions. Please plan on being
present to both deliver your work and to speak during the critique.
5. Work in ACCAD labs is highly encouraged.
Students choosing to use “at home” hardware and software must
have their current working files on the class system and available for review
by the beginning of each and every class. Problems with home systems and/or
incompatibility will not be an acceptable excuse for missed goals. Students
must make their own arrangements for overcoming these difficulties and
submitting their work on time. Unless there is a complete ACCAD
computer system failure, technical difficulties are never an acceptable
excuse for not meeting a deadline. Students should plan their time and work
so as to anticipate the technical hurdles that are a part of this profession.
Grading Policy:
1. Project grades
Project 1 = 30%
Project 2 = 30%
Project 3 = 40%
Adherence to deadlines is expected. It is the individual student's
responsibility to keep track of the goals and deadlines and to present the
work to the class and instructor on the specified dates.
2. Class participation
Students are expected to participate in class discussions and inform each others' work. Lack of class participation may result in up to 5 percent overall grade reduction.
3. Attendance
All students are expected to be on time and in attendance for each and every
class. Two absences will lower a final grade by 1/2 a letter, three absences
will lower a final grade by 1 letter and four absences will result in failure
of the course.
Grading scale will be A-E:
|
A 4.0 |
B- 2.5-2.9 |
D+ 1.1-1.4 |
|
A- 3.5-3.9 |
C+ 2.1-2.4 |
D 1.0 |
|
B+ 3.1-3.4 |
C -2.0 |
D- 0.5-0.9 |
|
B 3.0 |
C- 1.5-1.9 |
E ...0 |
Materials:
Sketch Book, Markers, Pencils
Miscellaneous:
Academic Misconduct (rule 3335-31-02) is defined as any
activity which tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution,
or subvert the educational process. Please refer to rule 3335-31-02 in the
student code of conduct for examples of academic misconduct.
To register a documented disability, please call the
Office of Disability Services (located in 150 Pomerene
Hall) at 292-3307; or 292-0901 TDD, and notify the instructor on the first
day of the class.
If this course is taught in the evening, student escort
service is available via 292-3322.
TOPICS:
(Look for more in Weekly Notes. Schedule will be subject
to change, dependent on class progress.)
Week 1
Introduction. Maya intro crash.
• Definition of a model
• Surface, Solid, and Volume Modeling
• Coordinate Systems
• Polygonal anatomy (vertex, edge, faces, face normals)
• Polygonal modeling tools.
• Boolean operations
• Troubleshooting polygon models
Week 2 and 3
Simplified Form: Low Polygonal Modeling.
• Low poly modeling as a goal or an intermediate stage of modeling
process.
• Form analysis as a tool for planning a model.
Week 4
Surfacing:Enhancing Form
through Texture
• UV mapping
• UV manipulation
• Editing texture in Photoshop
• Applying texture to model
Week 5
Aesthetics
• Principles of form practiced in fields of design, drawing and scultpture
• Storytelling through composition
•"Turntable" animation for model presentation
• Three point lighting principle and Maya software render setup
Homework 1 due: a textured low-poly model or scene (environment or still life).
Week 6
Polygonal Modeling Techniques for Complex Forms.
• Modeling with Smooth Proxy.
• Creases, wrinkles, bumps and other surface details.
• Sculpt Tool
Week 7:Subdivision Surfaces
• Sub-d as smoothing alternative for polygon modeling
• Adding surface details in sub-d mode
Week 8: NURBS modeling.
• NURBS curves.
• NURBS basics (control vertices, curves (isoparms),
hulls and patches)
• NURBS modeling tools
• Planning a NURBS model. Model analysis.
Homework 2 due: Complex Surface
Week 9: NURBS modeling.
• NURBS modeling for polygon output
• Patch modeling and surface continuity principles
• Texturing NURBS
Week 10: Advanced Issues in Modeling
• Modeling workflows
• Modeling with Deformers.
• Smooth and Rigid Binding
Finals Week - Final Project due: Collaboration on Making an Environment
Recommended Books:
Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: The Modeling & Animation Handbook, Autodesk Maya Press, ISBN: 978-1-897177-38-9 (at OSU library)
Guindon, et all. Maya Techniques: Hyper-Real Creature Creation, Alias Learning Tools (DVD also available at OSU Fine Arts Library Reserve)
Jason Osipa. Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right, 2nd edition by Jason Osipa. (OSU Library)
Michael O’Rourke. Principles of
Three-Dimensional Computer Animation: Modeling, Rendering and Animating with
3D Computer Graphics, WW Norton & Co., 2003.-non-platform specific
overview of 3d graphics principles
Peter Ratner. 3-D Human Modeling and
Animation, Second Edition.-good resource on modeling human body
in polys, nurbs, and sub-ds.
Ward, Anthony. Game
character development. (Available online via OSU library
system). Strategies for developing low-poly characters. UV layout, texture
creation, etc covered in detail.
Garry Lewis. Maya
5 Foundamentals. (Available
online via OSU library system). Overview for Maya 5, still applicable to Maya
6 and 7.
Chris Maraffi. Maya
Character Creation. (Available online via OSU library
system)
Indianapolis, Ind.
: New Riders, c2004 -principles of poly and NURBS
modeling and rigging for character animation.Not much on Sub-ds.
Web:
http://www.highend3d.com - forums, free tutorials, free shaders and scripts
http://www.cgtalk.com/ - forums and more
http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials.html - lots of great DVDs for sale, some free tutorials
http://gnomonology.com/ - inexpensive short tutorials
http://www.digitaltutors.com/ - some free tutorials, most tutorials cost a fee
http://www.lynda.com/ - some free tutorials, most tutorials cost a fee
http://www.3dcafe.com/- some free models and textures
ACCAD resources
Workspace/Applications/Total Textures
Start/Programs/Maya Learning Tools
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