Intro to 3D Computer Graphics

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Sandro Corsi's other classes: | Advanced 3D Computer Graphics | Basic Design |

This is a 3-units class that covers the basics of modeling, texturing, lighting, animating and rendering scenes created with 3D computer graphics programs. While completing hands-on projects, students review the fundamentals of animation and 3D design.

• Class goals:
  • Evaluate 3D graphics programs as visual tools.
  • Demonstrate operative skills in the use of 3D graphics software.
  • Produce images of 3D scenes on the computer for various media.
  • Understand the basics of 3D design.
• Evaluation:
  • The final course grade will be based on the student's performance in quizzes on the book's chapters and in completing assignments. There will not be make-up quizzes. Extra-credit assignments are listed along with regular assignments on this page.
• Required textbook
  • Introducing Maya 2009
    • Derakhshani, Dariush
    • Sybex Books, 2009
    • ISBN 978-0-470-37237-1

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

• Class file server
  • Some of the resources for this class may be on the class file server (only available while you are in the lab). Follow these steps to connect:
    1. Boot into Mac OS, in the Finder's Go menu choose the command Connect to Server.
    2. In the Server Address field at the top of the connection window, enter 10.101.5.28, then click Connect.
    3. For Connect As, choose Guest, then click Connect.
    4. Click on the volume 'sandro', then click OK.
    5. The icon for the server volume will appear on the desktop. Double-click it to find the items you need.
• 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.

Topics

1. Introduction to 3d graphics 1/22/2010 class
   • In the lab:
     1. Watch Maya's Basic Skills movies (in Maya's menubar, Help -> Learning Movies).
     2. Work through the Maya Basics tutorial (in Maya's menubar, Help -> Tutorials). Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Get the textbook.
     2. Read chapter 1 to review this week's lecture.
     3. Read chapter 2 to prepare for the following session.
2. Introduction to Maya 1/29/2010 class
   • In the lab:
     1. Work through the solar system tutorial (pp. 39-70) in chapter 2. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read chapter 3 and the first part (pp. 109-136) of chapter 4 to prepare for the following session.
3. Introduction to polygonal modeling 2/5/2010 class
   • Test: chapter 1
   • In the lab:
     1. Locate and familiarize yourself with the features covered in chapter 3.
     2. Work through the hand (p. 122) tutorial in chapter 4. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read the rest of chapter 4 to prepare for the following session.
4. No class (Presidents' Weekend) 2/12/2010
5. More on polygonal modeling 2/19/2010 class
   • Test: chapter 2
   • In the lab:
     1. Work through the locomotive (p. 137) tutorial in chapter 4. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read the first part (pp. 163-193) of chapter 5 to prepare for the following session.
6. Introduction to curved surfaces modeling 2/26/2010 class
   • Test: chapter 3
   • In the lab:
     1. Make sure you have read through the NURBS-to-polygons conversion tutorial (p. 176) in chapter 5.
     2. Work through the locomotive pump tutorial (p. 180) in chapter 5. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read the rest of chapter 5 to prepare for the following session.
7. More on curved surfaces modeling 3/5/2010 class
   • Test: chapter 4
   • In the lab:
     1. Work through the alien hand (p. 197) and starfish (p. 204) tutorials in chapter 5. Save your files to be graded.
     2. Make sure you have read through the axe (p. 195) and teakettle (p. 209) tutorials in chapter 5. You can do these tutorials for extra credit if you have time.
   • Homework:
     1. Read chapter 6 to prepare for the following session.
8. Modeling wrap-up 3/12/2010 class
   • In the lab:
     1. Work through the red wagon (pp. 220-280) tutorial in chapter 6.
        OR
        work on modeling a chess set based on one of the designs on the class server.
     2. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read the first part (pp. 281-321) of chapter 7 to prepare for the following session.
9. Introduction to shading: the look of surface detail 3/19/2010 class
   • In the lab:
     1. Work through the axe shading (pp. 289-298) tutorial in chapter 7.
     2. Then work through the procedural texturing of the wagon (pp. 308-321) tutorial in chapter 7
        OR
        add procedural textures (wood, marble) to the chess set you modeled.
     3. Save your files to be graded.
   • Homework:
     1. Read the rest of chapter 7 to prepare for the following session.
10. More on shading: the placement of surface detail 3/26/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 5
    • In the lab:
      1. Work through the UV layout and image-mapping of the wagon (pp. 321-343) in chapter 7
         OR
         use UV-mapped images to create a chess board that matches the design of your chess set.
      2. Save your files to be graded.
    • Homework:
      1. Read chapter 10 to prepare for the following session.
11. No class (Spring Break) 4/2/2010
12. Scene lighting 4/9/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 7
    • In the lab:
      1. Make sure you have read through the shader glow (p. 464) tutorial in chapter 10. You can do this tutorial for extra credit if you have time.
      2. Work through the physical sun and sky (pp. 457-461) tutorial in chapter 10.
      3. Then work through the three-point-lighting (pp. 466-469) tutorial in chapter 10
         OR
         set up three-point-lighting for the chess set and chess board.
      4. Save your files to be graded.
    • Homework:
      1. Read chapter 11 to prepare for the following session.
13. Rendering 4/16/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 10
    • In the lab:
      1. Make sure you have read through the living room (p. 521) tutorial in chapter 11. You can do this tutorial for extra credit if you have time.
      2. Work through the still life (p. 508) and the wagon rendering (p. 529) tutorials in chapter 11. Save your files to be graded.
    • Homework:
      1. Read chapter 9 to prepare for the following session.
14. Rigging 4/23/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 11
    • In the lab:
      1. Work through the locomotive rigging tutorials, part 1 (p. 377, in chapter 8) and application (p. 427, in chapter 9). Save your files to be graded.
    • Homework:
      1. Read chapter 8 to prepare for the following session.
15. Animation 4/30/2010 class
    • In the lab:
      1. Work through the bouncing ball (p. 346) tutorial in chapter 8.
      2. Make sure you have read through the flying text (p. 372) tutorial in chapter 8. You can do this tutorial for extra credit if you have time.
16. More on animation 5/7/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 9
    • In the lab:
      1. Work through the axe throw (p. 354) tutorial in chapter 8. Save your files to be graded.
    • Homework:
      1. Read chapter 12 to prepare for the following session.
17. Dynamics 5/14/2010 class
    • Test: chapter 8
    • In the lab:
      1. Make sure you have read through the active and passive rigid bodies (p. 543) tutorial in chapter 12. You can do this tutorial for extra credit if you have time.
      2. Work through the pool table (p. 546) and locomotive steam (p. 562) tutorials in chapter 12. Save your files to be graded.
18. Finals day 5/21/2010
    • Test: chapter 12

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Created 2006-07-22. Last modified 2010-04-08. This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/ACG/ACG_104.HTM> Copyright 2010 by Sandro Corsi.