International Game Developers Association

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY MASTER COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE TITLE:

3D Modeling

COURSE NUMBER:

GAM211

CREDIT/CONTACT HOURS:

50 Contact hours 4 Credit hours

COURSE LENGTH:

11 Weeks

UNIT OF ACADEMIC MEASUREMENT:

Quarter system

PREREQUISITES:

Photoshop

CO-REQUISITES:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Students are introduced to the 3ds max interface. Emphasis is placed on modeling techniques, materials, and scene composition fundamentals. Lighting, camera, and rendering will also be explored.

TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S)

Harnessing 3ds MAX 8 ISBN: 1-4180-4813-5 Aaron F. Ross, Michele Bousquet

RESOURCES & SUPPLIES

External Hard Drive

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

• Design and draft various props and architectural settings for computer games.

• Construct and modify low-polygonal count 3D objects for games using computer animation/modeling software, such as
• 3ds max or Maya.

• Apply textures and image maps to 3D computer models.

• Use basic camera angles and lighting techniques to compose a cinematic scene prior to final rendering.

• Apply basic keyframing and tweening techniques to animate 3D scenes.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:

Teacher-directed instruction, group work, homework assignments, in-class assignments, journals and term papers

GRADING:

ASSIGNMENT VALUES:

The International Academy's grading scale is as follows:

• A ....... 100-95
• A- ....... 94-90
• B+ ...... 89-87
• B ........ 86-84
• B- ....... 83-80
• C+ ...... 79-77
• C ........ 76-74
• C- ....... 73-70
• D+ ...... 69-67
• D ........ 66-60
• F ........ 59 and below

Assignments Weight:

Participation -Including submitting work by deadline 10 x 10 = 100 pts

(10 wks) Exercises (All exercises will be rendered as a TARGA and submitted for a grade. The image and file will need to submitted in the drop box.) 10 x 50 = 500 pts GRADING CRITERIA: Execution, Rendering, Technique

Project One GRADING CRITERIA: Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Rendering 100 pts

Project Two GRADING CRITERIA: Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Rendering 100 pts

Project Three GRADING CRITERIA: Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, Rendering 100 pts

Total 900 pts

LIBRARY ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will access both the IADT Detroit library resources as well as the Cybrary for materials to support their classroom learning.

COURSE POLICIES:

• Students are responsible for arranging with a classmate to obtain missed notes, materials, and/or assignments.

• All papers and assignments will be typed in double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman, have 1-inch margins, and be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

• The upper right-hand corner header will contain your name, Course Name— Teacher Name, and the name of the assignment. Pages shall be numbered in the footer.

• Students are expected to meet every deadline presented within the course.

• They are also expected to involve themselves fully in class discussions and help generate a healthy group dynamic.

INTEGRITY OF STUDENT WORK:

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that will not be tolerated and may result in failure for an individual project, failure for the course, and dismissal from the college. See your Student Handbook for further information.

ATTENDANCE:

• Class activities and discussions are an integral part of the learning process. Therefore, students are expected to attend each class.

• All absences must be preceded by communication to the instructor.

• Attendance is taken at every class session and becomes a part of the student’s permanent record. Excused absences may be accepted for extenuating circumstances including death in family, personal illness (student should call in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of class), school-related job interview or externship interview, military obligations, or jury duty. More than six absences in any given course may result in automatic withdrawal from the course(s) in which the absence occurs. This withdrawal will be recorded as an F on your academic transcript. Attendance is essential for class participation. The effect of class participation varies from instructor to instructor and is explained in the syllabus handed out at the beginning of each course. Students who will be absent for a valid reason should notify the instructor in advance. If a class project is due during that period of absence, the student should clear the absence with the instructor in advance and make the necessary arrangements to submit work missed.

MAKE-UP WORK:

Make-up and late work will be allowed only if the student has made arrangements with the instructor. See instructor for special conditions.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT .................. APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE OF CLASS TIME ALLOCATED TO EACH TOPIC

• Introduction to 3D software tools ..................................... 20%
• Introduction to modification tools ..................................... 20%
• Box modeling/low polygonal ........................................... 20%
• UVW's, texturing ........................................................... 20%
• Lighting and rendering .................................................... 20%
• TOTAL ........................................................................ 100%

CLASS MEETING OUTLINE:

WEEK 1:

In Class Topics:

• Coordinate systems & 3ds max interface (model, materials, animate, camera and light, render, reference materials)

Reading:

• Chapter 1, 3D Basics, pp. 1-20 & Chapter 2, Introduction to 3ds max, pp. 21-102

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 1.1: 3ds max Quick Start
• Exercise 2.1: Bend Modifier
• Exercise 2.2: Modifier Stack
• Exercise 2.4: Local coordinate system

WEEK 2:

In Class Topics:

• 3ds max interface in depth & perspective and ortho viewports

Reading:

• Chapter 3, Modeling, pp. 103-144

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 2.6: Clown Head
• Exercise 2.9: Materials for Clown Head
• Exercise 2.13: Table and Chairs
• Exercise 2.11: Animated Clown Head (Exrcises 2.4 to 2.11 receives 50pts)
• Project 1: Box Model a Head, Arm and Hand (Instructor will provide templates)

WEEK 3:

Reading:

• Read Chapter 3, Modeling, pp. 145-207

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 3.3: Passing Modifiers Up the Stack
• Exercise 3.5: Copies, Instances, and References
• Exercise 3.6: Instanced Modifier
• Exercise 3.8: Rendering and Extruding Shapes
• Exercise 3.11: Lathed Bottle (Exercises 3.3 to 3.11 receives 50pts)
• Project 1: Box Model a Head, Arm and Hand (Low poly)

WEEK 4:

July 28 2007

• In Class Topics: Modeling and the Various Types, Review coordinate systems

Reading:

• Read Chapter 3, Modeling, pp. 207-286

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 3.16: Bubble Blower
• Exercise 3.17: Lofted Chili Pepper
• Exercise 3.18: Soft Selection
• Exercise 3.19: Flat Panel Monitor (Exercises 3.16; 3.17 and 3.19 carries 50pts)
• Project 1 Due. August 4 (100 pts)
• Project 2: 2 Weapons - 200 or less polygons OR 400 or less triangles – Use Textures – unwrap, try to make them- Be Inventive

WEEK 5:

In Class Topics:

• Modeling, 3ds max data flow, Editable Spline, Lathe, Sweep, Lofting, Polygonal mesh objects

Reading:

• Read Chapter 4, Materials, pp. 287-386

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 3.21: Flower
• Exercise 3.22: Microphone
• Exercise 3.23: Microphone Stand
• Exercise 3.24: Space Scene (Exercises 3.21 to 3.24 carries 50pts)
• Project 2: Weapons

WEEK 6:

In Class Topics:

• Texturing, Keyframe animation, Review Editable Spline & Poly tools, Advanced Transforms, Helpers, Snaps, Transform Centers

Reading:

• Read Chapter 4, Materials, pp. 343-386

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 4.4: Bitmap Materials for Clown
• Exercise 4.7: Submaps
• Exercise 4.8: One Bad Apple (Exercises 4.4 to 4.8 receives 50pts)
• Exercise 4.9: UVW Map Modifier
• Project 2: Weapons

WEEK 7:

In Class Topics:

• Material definitions, maps (Procedural and Bump), environment mapping, UVW map coordinates, Multi/Sub-Object material

Reading:

• Read Chapter 5, Cameras and Lights, pp. 387-

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 4.10: Loft Mapping
• Exercise 4.11: Multi/Sub-Object material
• Exercise 4.12: Table Scene
• Exercise 4.13: Space Materials and Background(Exercises 4.12 and 4.13 receives 50pts)
• Project 2: Due August 18 (100pts)
• Project 3: Environment objects (enough to create a scene) – (no particle effects in game engines)

WEEK 8:

In Class Topics:

• Review UVW mapping, free and target cameras, field of view, aspect ratio, safe frames, types of lights and *parameters, shadow maps, lighting effects
• Reading:
• Read Chapter 5, Cameras and Lights, pp. 438-466

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 5.1: Attic Camera
• Exercise 5.3: Placing Lights (Exercises 5.1 and 5.3 receives 50pts)
• Exercise 5.5: Exclusion and Multipliers
• Exercise 5.9: Table Scene (Exercises 5.5 and 5.9 receives 50pts)
• Project 3: Environment (Procedure 1&2)

WEEK 9:

In Class Topics:

• Review Surface tools, NURBS, Paint tools
• Reading:
• Read Chapter 9, Advanced Modeling, pp. 627-658

Homework Assignment:

• Exercise 9.3: Flying Saucer
• Exercise 9.4: Sculpted Landscape(Exercises 9.3 and 9.4 receives 50pts)
• Exercise 9.6: NURBS Tablecloth
• Exercise 9.7: Character Head (Exercises 9.6 and 9.7 receives 50pts)
• Project 3: Environment (Procedure 1 due Sept. 1)

WEEK 10:

In Class Topics:

• Subdivision Surfaces
• Final Projects Review: (Rendering and Camera/Light set up)
• Reading:
• Read Chapter 9, Advanced Modeling, pp. 659-696
• Project 3: Environment (Procedure 2 due Sept. 8)

WEEK 11:

In Class Topics:

• Subdivision Surfaces
• Project 3: Due by Sept. 11 (100pts)
• ALL Final Projects Review: (Mounting and Presentation)

• subject to change