Fall 2008 Information

| calendar and deadlines for this semester | instructor's home |
Sandro Corsi's other classes: | Intro to 3D Graphics | Dimensional Design | 3D Animation |

This is a 3-units class that teaches 3D computer graphics programs. The emphasis is on polygonal modeling for character animation.

• Class goals:
  • Demonstrate operative skills on the computer hardware and attendant peripherals used in the class.
  • Analyze, differentiate, and operate the controls of selected 3D graphics programs.
  • Interpret scene descriptions to devise appropriate combinations of shapes, light sources, rendering attributes, and camera settings.
  • Produce perspective renderings for a variety of applications, evaluating the benefits and challenges of using 3D computer graphics techniques as artistic devices.
  • Evaluate hardware and software suitable for creating and displaying 3D simulations--identifying trends in the market and in the development of standards.
• Evaluation:
  • The final course grade will be based on the student's performance in class and in completing assignments. Grade weight will be specified for each project.
• Required textbook
  • Maya creature feature creations, 2nd ed.
    • Palamar, Todd
    • Thomson Delmar, 2008
    • ISBN 978-1-58450-547-1

  The book will be available for purchase at the Fullerton College bookstore.

• Optional texts
  • A number of printed manuals are available in the lab: ask the lab aide for them, with your student ID in hand.
  • Several relevant magazines are available in the Graphics lab. These are especially useful because of their timeliness.
  • Program reference manuals:
    • A variety of books are available providing step-by-step instruction and reference information. Make sure that any books you choose match the versions of the software you use.
    • The programs available in the lab usually come with electronic manuals and/or online help, which you can view directly on the computer.

Class Projects

• ClayTools intro project, subtractive and additive modeling
  • Download the ClayTools commands reference card to help you become familiar with the program.
    1. Download the working files, which are compressed in TopModPrimsLoRes.zip.
    2. Optionally, download higher-res files, which are compressed in TopModPrimsHiRes.zip.
    3. When you have completed the project, make sure your files are saved so you can turn them in to be graded.
• Maya modeling review
  • From Maya 2008, select the Help-->Tutorials menu
    1. Work through the Polygonal Modeling tutorial (helmet project).
    2. When you have completed the project, make sure your files are saved so you can turn them in to be graded.
• More on ClayTools
  • Download the ClayTools tutorial to further your understanding of the program.
    1. When you have completed the project, make sure your files are saved so you can turn them in to be graded.

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Created 2007-12-21. Last modified 2008-08-25. This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/ACG/ACG_120.HTM> Copyright 2008 by Sandro Corsi.