Overview
3D graphics are an important element of many films, television programs, games and other digital media projects. This unit provides a practical introduction to 3D modelling and animation. Students learn key concepts associated with 3D space and time, along with skills in modelling, lighting, shading, animation and rendering with 3D graphics software. Together these topics provide a holistic practical and theoretical understanding of the 3D production process. This unit requires access to a computer with a 3D graphics card, an Internet connection and audio capabilities.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: DGTL11001
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Moodle
Students would appreciate more tutorials on other features of the Maya software.
The unit coordinator will explore the possibility of introducing additional tutorials on particle effects and other functions.
Feedback from Moodle
Students are sensitive to any differences between the version of Maya they are using and the version that is demonstrated in the video tutorials.
The differences between Maya 2016 and Maya 2017 are minimal. However video tutorials will be reviewed and updated as time permits.
- understand the computer animation process and associated elements, knowledge and history;
- understand basic concepts associated with 3D computer graphics such as axes, planes, coordinate systems and views as well as geometrical primitives;
- demonstrate competence operating with industry-standard 3D graphics software;
- create, combine and manipulate 3D objects such as primitives, lights and cameras to develop complex models and scenes;
- use polygon modelling techniques to create 3D character models;
- use NURBS modelling and subdivision techniques to create 3D complex and organic models;
- create virtual lighting effects within a 3D scene;
- use virtual cameras to create shots and to control how an audience views a 3D scene;
- create and apply shading materials to objects within a 3D scene;
- create keyframe animations, path animations to move around objects, cameras, lights, etc in a 3D scene;
- plan, design and establish scenes for short 3D animation pieces such as TV commercials or TV news titles.
- render 3D scenes to different types of output files matching different broadcasting standards
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45% | ||||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 55% | ||||||||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 45% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 55% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Adobe Premiere 1.5 above
- Maya 2016 above
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
q.huang@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to 3D animation Interface overview
Chapter
Interface/preference/project settings
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Interface in depth
Chapter
Exploring and understanding the Maya Interface/hotbox/operations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
NURBS modelling: curves & surface
Chapter
Creating and editing NURBS curves and surfaces
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Polygon modelling: tools
Chapter
Creating/editing polygons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Polygon modelling: mapping
Chapter
Mapping/editing texture on polygons
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Material basics: concepts and tools
Chapter
Applying materials and textures. Creating shades
Events and Submissions/Topic
A polygon character head and written critique - Friday of Week 6
A polygon head & report Due: Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Lights
Chapter
Creating/editing lights and effects
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cameras
Chapter
Creating/editing cameras and effects
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Animation basics: traditions, concepts, deformers
Chapter
Creating/editing Keyframe/path animations
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rendering: engines, setting, and delivery
Chapter
Options, settings, effects, batch rendering
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
A little extra: Particles and Painting effects.
Chapter
Creating/Editing particle effects and paint effects.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
3D animation commercial and written critique - Friday of Week 12
3D animation commercial and written critique Due: Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical and Written Assessment
Produce a polygon model of a human or humanoid character head and write a 500-word report.
Please refer to the course web site for the detailed assessment criteria.
Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (4 May 2018)
Please refer to the course web site for the detailed assessment criteria.
- understand the computer animation process and associated elements, knowledge and history;
- understand basic concepts associated with 3D computer graphics such as axes, planes, coordinate systems and views as well as geometrical primitives;
- demonstrate competence operating with industry-standard 3D graphics software;
- create, combine and manipulate 3D objects such as primitives, lights and cameras to develop complex models and scenes;
- use polygon modelling techniques to create 3D character models;
- create virtual lighting effects within a 3D scene;
- use virtual cameras to create shots and to control how an audience views a 3D scene;
- create and apply shading materials to objects within a 3D scene;
- render 3D scenes to different types of output files matching different broadcasting standards
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
2 Practical and Written Assessment
Create a short 3D animation commercial project by using the knowledge you have learned from the course. Present a 500 word essay that explains the project design choice, process and self-evaluation.
Please refer to the course web site for the detailed assessment criteria.
Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (15 June 2018)
Please refer to the course web site for the detailed assessment criteria.
- understand the computer animation process and associated elements, knowledge and history;
- understand basic concepts associated with 3D computer graphics such as axes, planes, coordinate systems and views as well as geometrical primitives;
- demonstrate competence operating with industry-standard 3D graphics software;
- create, combine and manipulate 3D objects such as primitives, lights and cameras to develop complex models and scenes;
- use polygon modelling techniques to create 3D character models;
- use NURBS modelling and subdivision techniques to create 3D complex and organic models;
- create virtual lighting effects within a 3D scene;
- use virtual cameras to create shots and to control how an audience views a 3D scene;
- create and apply shading materials to objects within a 3D scene;
- create keyframe animations, path animations to move around objects, cameras, lights, etc in a 3D scene;
- plan, design and establish scenes for short 3D animation pieces such as TV commercials or TV news titles.
- render 3D scenes to different types of output files matching different broadcasting standards
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
