CQUniversity Unit Profile
MMST12019 3D Computer Graphics
3D Computer Graphics
All details in this unit profile for MMST12019 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit of study provides an introduction to three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics. You will learn how to use a variety of tools and techniques to create 3D assets for use in real-time rendering platforms. You will develop the necessary skills to produce 3D assets for animation, visual effects and games using industry-standard software.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: Minimum of 36 credit points

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 - 2020

Brisbane
Cairns
Mackay
Noosa
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 60%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Student Evaluations

Feedback

The content of some of the video lectures needs to be updated.

Recommendation

All video lectures in this unit will be replaced for the next offering.

Feedback from Student Evaluations

Feedback

Some students feel that the Arnold renderer (a Maya plug-in) should be introduced in the curriculum.

Recommendation

The Arnold renderer will be introduced in the learning resources for this unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply the principles of design to 3D asset creation
  2. Produce 3D models suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  3. Produce asset texture maps suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  4. Produce simple materials suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software.

Not applicable

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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 - 40%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (free browser plug-in)
  • Adobe After Effects CC
  • Adobe Photoshop CC
  • Adobe Premiere CC
  • Google Chrome
  • Graphics Tablet (Recommended)
  • Microsoft Word
  • Maya 2019 above
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Qing Huang Unit Coordinator
q.huang@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Unit Overview, Asset Creation Workflows, Principles of Design, Painting in Photoshop

Chapter

Asset Design (Perspective and Orthographic) in Photoshop (with Graphics Tablet)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Modelling - Workflows, Terminology, Tools and Techniques (Part 1)

Chapter

Maya User Interface, Modelling Assets (Basic Forms)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Modelling - Workflows, Terminology, Tools and Techniques (Part 2)

Chapter

Modelling Assets (Details)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

UVs - What They Are, Workflows, Terminology, Tools and Techniques

Chapter

Unwrapping Assets UVs

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Textures - What They Are, Workflows, Terminology, Tools and Techniques

Chapter

Creating Assets Textures (Colour, Specular, Height/Bump/Normals) in Photoshop and Using Materials (and Lights) in Maya

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Rendering - Real time vs. Traditional (Differences, Pros and Cons, Post-processing, PBR, AR, VR)

Chapter

Publishing to Sketchfab - Models, Textures, Materials, Lights and Post-processing

Events and Submissions/Topic

3D Asset Pack and Self Assessment Due: Week 6 Friday (24 Apr 2020) 11:00 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Modular Assets - What They Are, Workflows, Terminology, Tools and Techniques

Chapter

Sets and Modular Asset Design (Perspective and Orthographic) in Photoshop (with Graphics Tablet)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

None

Chapter

Modelling Sets and Modular Assets (Basic Forms)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

None

Chapter

Modelling Sets and Modular Assets (Details)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

None

Chapter

Unwrapping Sets and Modular Assets UVs

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

None

Chapter

Creating Sets and Modular Assets Textures (Colour, Specular, Height/Bump/Normals) in Photoshop and Using Materials (and Lights) in Maya

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

None

Chapter

Animation (Basic) and Publishing to Sketchfab - Models, Textures, Materials, Lights and Post-processing

Events and Submissions/Topic

3D Diorama and Self Assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 11:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

None

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
3D Asset Pack and Self Assessment

Task Description

This assessment requires you to publish six (6) 3D assets to a real time rendering platform, and complete a written review of your work. The assets and document must adhere to the technical specifications and submission requirements specified in the assessment criteria. Video tutorials are provided to guide you through the process.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (24 Apr 2020) 11:00 pm AEST

Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (8 May 2020)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

  • Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
  • Application of principles of design
  • Suitability of models for real-time rendering
  • Suitability of textures for real-time rendering
  • Use of real-time rendering materials and post-processing tools
  • Effort and engagement
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Communication (written)

Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You must submit a URL for your published 3D Asset Pack, and upload a document for your Self Assessment, directly to the unit website (Moodle).

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply the principles of design to 3D asset creation
  • Produce 3D models suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  • Produce asset texture maps suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  • Produce simple materials suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
3D Diorama and Self Assessment

Task Description

This assessment requires you to publish a 3D diorama to a real time rendering platform, and complete a written review of your work. The diorama and document must adhere to the technical specifications and submission requirements specified in the assessment criteria. Video tutorials are provided to guide you through the process.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 11:00 pm AEST

Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

  • Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
  • Application of principles of design
  • Suitability of models for real-time rendering
  • Suitability of textures for real-time rendering
  • Use of real-time rendering materials and post-processing tools
  • Effort and engagement
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Communication (written)

Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
You must submit a URL for your published 3D Diorama, and upload a document for your Self Assessment, directly to the unit website (Moodle).

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply the principles of design to 3D asset creation
  • Produce 3D models suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  • Produce asset texture maps suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software
  • Produce simple materials suitable for real-time rendering using industry-standard software.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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?