This document provides an overview and introduction to a 3D modelling course. It outlines the course convenors, teaching team, schedule, expectations and assessments. The course aims to develop skills in 3D modelling software such as 3DS Max and Mudbox. Students will work individually and in groups to conceptualize, design and create an "asset pack" for a virtual environment. Assessments include a progress presentation, speed sculpt challenge, final project and reflective journal. Additional resources are also provided to support students' design work.
3. COURSE OVERVIEW
ASSESSMENT
General details regarding all
assessed items for the course.
TEACHING TEAM
Who we are and our contact
details
Course aims and objectives,
software and resources
LECTURE CONTENTS
WHAT IS AN ASSET PACK?
Investigation into requirements
of assessment as it relates to
industry
01
02
03
04
4. 一ELIEL SAARINEN
“Always design a thing by considering it in
its next larger context – a chair in the
room, a room in a house, a house in an
environment.”
7. SOUTH BANK
TUTOR – PERRI WOLF
Perri will be looking after the on-campus
South Bank tutorials. Please
communicate with Perri for any tutorial
specific content:
p.wolf@griffith.edu.au
8. GOLD COAST
TUTOR – SCOTT ROBERTS
Scott will be taking the Gold Coast and
Online tutorials. You may contact Scott
using:
Scott.roberts@griffith.edu.au
9. ONLINE TUTORIALS
Online classes are held every Monday from 10am – 1pm in Teams. Will contain both Gold
Coast and South Bank students.
● Tutorial Location: Teams
● Week 7 (26th April) is a Public Holiday
● Week 8 (3rd May) is a Deeming Day, therefore class will be on Tuesday 4th May
Please make sure you are on time, logging in to the Teams session 5 minutes early.
10. SOUTH BANK
TUTORIALS
South Bank classes are held every Monday from 2pm to 5pm.
● Tutorial Location: S02 3.13 PC Lab
● Week 7 (26th April) is a Public Holiday
● Week 8 (3rd May) is a Deeming Day, therefore class will be on Tuesday 4th May
Please make sure you are on time, logging on to Learning@Griffith as soon as you enter
class.
11. GOLD COAST
TUTORIALS
Gold Coast classes are held every Friday from 9am – 12pm.
● Tutorial Location: G06 2.40 PC Lab
● Week 4 (2nd April) is Good Friday Public Holiday.
Please make sure you are on time, logging on to Learning@Griffith as soon as you enter
class.
12. PLEASE NOTE
When communicating with us, please remember the following:
● Any standard discussion/questions should be posted on the Teams site.
● Always email from your Griffith Student email account
● We will respond as soon as possible, but not outside business hours
● Appropriate email etiquette should be adhered to at all times
Teams and emails are our only official channels of communication. Please check Teams
and your emails!
13. WHO ARE YOU?
Tell us a bit about yourself. Please introduce yourself with a short description
of why you chose Design.
15. “The course is designed to provide you with a thorough introduction to the software
environments and processes applicable to modelling three dimensional objects and spaces for
a diverse range of potential purposes.
You will develop strong technical proficiencies and fundamental experiences in creative
negotiation of complex projects.
Your input as a member of a team dedicated to producing a professional outcome through
shared negotiations of learning will prepare you very well for a professional or self directed
career.”
COURSE AIMS
一 2672QCA COURSE PROFILE
16. The aim of this course is to gain proficiency in 3D Modelling techniques, specifically in the
production of digital assets.
We will be focussing on Autodesk 3DS Max and Mudbox as our modelling software, with
additional assets generated in Photoshop.
Don’t worry if you have never used 3DS Max before! We will be covering everything from the
ground up.
We do ask that you work as hard as you can to excel within this course. The more you can do
now, the easier the rest of your degree will be.
COURSE AIMS CONT.
17. Evaluate and implement strategies for understanding, modelling and solving problems within
Cartesian space.
Work collaboratively and individually to apply skills in three dimensional modelling, material
application, lighting and rendering.
Develop technical procedures and methods to generate individual outcomes that are
contextualised within a larger collaborative project.
Synthesise knowledge gained from research to apply creative and critical skills in the
negotiation of complex projects.
Critically reflect on, and evaluate the collaborative learning experience of self and teammates.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
18. OUR SOFTWARE
Our chosen software packages are based on current industry trends.
However, we are focussing on 3D modelling proficiency, not specific
software.
19. AUTODESK
3D STUDIO MAX
3DS Max is industry standard mesh based modelling software. User friendly interface and
modelling workflow. Mostly used for Architectural Visualisation, Game Design, and VFX.
It is not the only mesh-based modelling solution within the industry, or even within
Autodesk. Other packages include:
• Maya
• Blender
• Cinema4D
• Modo
20. AUTODESK
MUDBOX
Mudbox is the Autodesk solution for sculptural modelling.
In direct competition with Zbrush for high-definition modelling.
Has a clear translation pathway between other Autodesk software (including 3DS Max)
through the use of base models or retopology.
23. GOLD COAST
DUE DATE
SOUTH BANK
DUE DATE
WEIGHTING
PROGRESS PRESENTATION
(IN CLASS)
Week 7
(30th April)
Week 8
(4th May)
30%
SPEED SCULPT CHALLENGE
(ONLINE)
Week 10
(21st May)
Week 10
(21st May)
10%
FINAL PROJECT
(ONLINE)
Week 13
(11th June)
Week 13
(11th June)
40%
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
(ONLINE)
Week 13
(11th June)
Week 13
(11th June)
20%
OVERVIEW OF DUE DATES
24. Great things can result from collaboration. An individual only has so much time and energy to
devote to a project, but a group of individuals working toward a shared goal can be rewarded
with an outcome that is greater than the sum of its parts.
It is proposed that, as an individual or group of up to 4, you conceptualise, design, generate, and
refine, an “Asset Pack”, that will assemble into a large complex, fantastical, creative
environment for a virtual space. It is important to think outside of conventional restraints as to
what a virtual environment is, and allow for curiosity and creativity to be your driving force.
The necessity of collaboration is paramount, if you are a group you will be constantly sharing
problems, and negotiating how your environment functions. You will have to begin
immediately, and be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to your group and this
project.
ASSESSMENT IDEOLOGY
25. You are to produce an “Asset Pack” suitable for your chosen environment. The Asset Pack is to
contain many modular parts that can be combined countless ways to produce new
environments.
Your chosen environment must follow a set theme, decided by the group.
Consider the implications and intricacies of each discussed theme, and the output to be
achieved within the given time period. Consider ideas outside of the norm, with medical
simulations, mechanical training, and other professional fields being popular among industry.
PROGRESS PRESENTATION
26. PROGRESS PRESENTATION CONT.
Each project will present current progress to the class. You will be given approximately 5
minutes each person to present and communicate your chosen theme. The major points to
cover are as follows:
• Introduction to project - what are you creating and why.
• Conceptual ideation.
• Current progress from each member.
• Current progress of overall project.
• Timeline - how do you plan to finish this project?
27. Each student is required to complete a 1-hour speed sculpt challenge in Autodesk Mudbox. This
challenge is to be screen recorded and the video + final file is to be uploaded to L@G.
This challenge allows you to prepare and practice a chosen model design prior to undertaking
the task. Your preparation is critical in helping you successfully model your chosen design
within the allotted time.
It is recommended that your design is based off reference material, which will be available to
you during the challenge.
It is also “Open Book”, giving you access to all software and materials (digital and analogue)
throughout.
Please remember to “speed up” your recorded video to be a maximum of 10 minutes.
SPEED SCULPT CHALLENGE
28. Following on from your presentation, you are to complete the modelling, texturing, animation
(if needed), lighting and rendering of your asset pack for final submission.
You are to demonstrate your understanding of the theme, producing fully textured high quality
3D models for use in virtual environments.
Each member of the group will generate their own assets to be included in the pack, assuring
adherence to the overarching theme.
Submission will include:
- A scene and render of individual assets
- A scene and render of all assets combined together (as a single scene and hero render)
FINAL PROJECT
29. FINAL PROJECT CONT.
Each project (individual or group) is required to produce documentation outlining each asset
created, labelled with the owner of the asset. This documentation will include an overview of
the project and a brief description of each asset.
Consider the following points when completing your project:
• All desired assets have been 3D modelled
• Every asset is textured appropriately
• File and Folder structure is clean and user friendly
• All assets have been exported (.fbx, .obj)
• Group document contains all appropriate information
30. The reflective journal is targeted towards integration with industry and gaining a deeper
understanding of professional practice.
Each student is to “Remake” the Padlet template provided. The instructions and requirements
for the tasks are provided within the Padlet. The tasks are:
Task 1: Tools
Task 2: Industry
Task 3: Participation
Task 4: Analysis
The final reflective journal is to be exported as a PDF and submitted through the submission
portal on Learning@Griffith.
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
31. WHAT IS AN ASSET PACK?
We now know an asset pack is required, but what is it?
33. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
As you explore design processes within 3-dimensional environments, it is
useful to know where to look to get answers or find inspiration.