Week 01 – Introduction to 3D

Lesson Plan 

  • Introduction to the course and Maya 
  • Create and modify Maya primitive objects
  • Use deformers to change the appearance of objects
  • Extrude faces to create new geometry
  • Revolve a profile curve to create a 360-degree object
  • Create an asset from multiple objects
  • Assign Arnold materials and lights
  • Render your object for presentation
  • In Class exercise: Create a Barrel 5 different ways in Maya 
  • Homework: Using the techniques utilized in class, create a simple castle 
  • Homework: Create a reference board with ideas for creating a robot for the course 

In-Class Exercise 

Model 5 barrel shapes using a variety of techniques. Combine all 5 barrels into one scene.   

In this assignment you will create 5 barrel 3D models using a variety of techniques. The goal is to explore various modelling tools and use them to create increasingly complex 3d models. These techniques will form the basis of your Castle model. 

Your assignment will be graded based on the following criteria: 

  • How accurately you created each of the five barrels 
  • How accurately you created the barrels proportions 
  • The submission is a Maya Project folder names “LastName_FirstName_5-Barrels” 
  • The submission’s  Scenes folder has one maya .mb scene file named “FirstName_LastName_5-Barrels.mb” 
  • The submission’s Images folder has a wireframe over shaded render named “FirstName_LastName_5-Barrels.png” showing all 5 barrels  
  • Note: Turn on Wireframe over shaded (It’s the cube with wireframe icon on the top of your viewport). Or go to Shading, Wireframe over Shaded. Then use the snipping tool/screen capture to capture a wireframe over shaded version of your work and save as a .png. 

Next Week’s Homework 

Model a castle using the techniques you learned in class.  

In this assignment, you will find reference images for a castle using pinterest.com, sketchfab.com or google.  This will give you some visual ideas and targets to aim toward as you model a castle. Using the techniques from class, create a castle made out of various parts.   

Your assignment will be graded based on the following criteria: 
  • How well you used the techniques to build a castle 
  • How organized you scene is 
  • How close you matched the reference image to the final model. 
  • The submission is a Maya Project folder named “FirstName_LastName_Castle” 
  • The submission’s  Scenes folder has one maya .mb scene file named “FirstName_LastName_Castle.mb” 
  • The submission’s Images folder has a minimum of three .png files showcasing the castle from three different angles. They .png’s are wireframe over shaded renders named “FirstName_LastName_Castle1.png” “FirstName_LastName_Castle2.png” “FirstName_LastName_Castle3.png”, etc… 
  • Note: Turn on Wireframe over shaded (It’s the cube with wireframe icon on the top of your viewport). Or go to Shading, Wireframe over Shaded. Then use the snipping tool/screen capture to capture a wireframe over shaded version of your work and save as a .png. 
Create a Robot Mood Board using PureRef or Photoshop  

In this assignment you will gather references for Robot designs to use to model a Robot next week. Gather concept art / designs from Google, Pinterest or Artstation. You may draw your own robot based on references you choose if you are so inclined. We will be using these references to create a robot over the next 8-weeks. 

  1. Make sure that the robot is bipedal – ie. Two arms, two legs. Something that we would normally want to animate as a main character in a film/game.   
  2. Keep the design relatively human in proportions, it will be easier to create and animate.  Tall skinny characters are much easier to rig and animate at the beginning so you may want to consider this.  Short, fat characters are usually much more difficult. 

The homework is due at 9am, May 12.  It’s always due at the beginning of the next class! 

Class Expectations 

Attend Class each week – follow the notes and videos, ask questions and get help with your projects 

Be courteous, humble, helpful and active in class. If you have a question, likely so does someone else. 

Be a professional and a leader, your career success depends on it. 

Share, inspire and collaborate with one another. Your best learning and success will come from helping one another excel. 3D is a team sport, you owe it to your future self to be a great team-mate. 

Hand in projects on time, in the location specified. Being a professional means being ready. 

Upload all work as a project to Teams in the appropriate folder. All projects are due handed into the appropriate location before 9am on Thursday’s class. 

If you don’t hand in a project as specified in the correct location, the grade you will get it 0.  I can’t grade what isn’t handed in.  Having issues, ask for help before the deadline. 

Always name your files with your first_last_name_name_of_project 

Craig_Simmons_5_Barrels.png 

Craig_Simmons_5_Barrels.ma