Fall 2008 Information

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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. See the general info page.
• 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 8/18 lab
  • 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 8/25 lab
  • 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 9/8 lab
  • 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.
  • Read chapter 1 of the textbook in preparation for next week's class
• Concept development 9/15 lab
  • Devise the overall appearance of your hornet action figure--by creating basic shapes over which you will sculpt the detailed figure.
    1. Download a Maya file of a low-polygon human skeleton. You can modify and rig this simple model to create an armature for digital clay sculpting.
    2. You will need to have some knowledge of anatomy to work effectively. Read chapter 2 in the textbook for an explanation of the key anatomical features to focus on. A good source for visual references is this Musculo-Skeletal Archive. Scroll down to the Musculo-Skeletal Anatomy section for links to PDFs with many useful images.
    3. Even though your hornet will be stylized, you will still want to know what the real bug looks like. Do a search for Vespa crabro (true hornet)--or you can start at this hornets' site.
    4. And this is the competitor we want to beat... the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' Buzz mascot.
• Character sculpting 9/22 lab
  • Sculpt the outer appearance of your character, by building layers of virtual clay muscles on top of the skeleton you modified in the previous session.
    1. This process parallels the steps described in chapter 3 of the textbook--we will effectively create a 'virtual maquette'. In doing so, we can bypass the creation of a preliminary low-res model, described in chapter 5.
    2. Watch this demonstration of modeling a human torso using 2-D reference images in ClayTools. Your work will actually be easier, because you will be working from a 3-D reference (the skeleton), but this movie gives you an overview of the process of adding and reshaping bits of clay.
    3. To export the adjusted skeleton from Maya and import it into ClayTools, see directions in the ClayTools Maya Workflows manual. You can start on p. 16 (subdividing won't be necessary, since the skeleton will only be a reference). After File --> Import Model (p. 18), select your skeleton OBJ file, click Import as New, and change the settings on the dynabar to the following:
       1. Units = cm.
       2. Import as = Reference.
       3. Fill Style = No Fill.
       4. Click Apply.
    4. To add clay to your model, use Basic Shapes and Add Clay (both in the Construct Clay palette). For major reshaping, use Tug (in the Deform Clay palette). For blending and detail work, use the tools in Sculpt Clay.
    5. You may want to add a symbol or logo to your hornet (embossed on its armor breastplate, for instance). You can modify these images as needed in Photoshop. Review the directions on embossing towards the end of the ClayTools tutorial (9/8 lab, above).
• Character detailing 9/29 lab
  • After completing the basic volumes of your character, proceed to add finer surface detail (pores, wrinkles, veins, etc.)
    1. It's a good idea to save a copy of your sculpture withou surface detail. In many cases, this will provide a good starting point later for retopologizing.
    2. Before deciding on the kind of texture your character will have, you may want to bump map simple shapes in Maya. A quick render will give you instant feedback on how well your ideas work in 3D. Also, the bump map images you like best can then be reused for embossing in ClayTools (again, directions are in the ClayTools tutorial, see 9/8 lab).
    3. For guidance on surface detailing, read chapter 5 in the textbook. The section on Mudbox (p. 87) is especially relevant, since its overall operation is similar to ClayTools.
    4. Also, watch the ClayToolsDetailing.wmv video. While it shows the older version of the user interface, the basic workflow remains unchanged. This and other videos are 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 videos in the ClayTools Documentation folder.
       6. Some videos may not play correctly in Mac OS. Copy them to your flash drive, then reboot into Windows.

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Created 2007-12-21. Last modified 2008-09-28. This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/ACG/ACG_120.HTM> Copyright 2008 by Sandro Corsi.