3d Modeling (ANI 230-401)

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Summary of the course

ANI 230 ThreeDee Modeling	Fall 2009   |   TuTh 3:10-4:40 pm   |   CDM 722 Instructor: Scott Roberts SRoberts@CIM.DePaul.edu  Office: CDM 459 Office hours Tue & Thu 11:45-12:45, 4:45-5:15 in my office (459), the Animation Lab (722) or the 4th floor lab (400)
Course Description	This course covers introductory modeling and texturing techniques required to construct 3D objects and scenes to be used for animation and gaming. Topics to be covered include: scene composition, modeling 3D objects with polygons and smooth surfaces, surface materials and texturing, cameras, lighting and rendering.
Course Objectives	After completing this course, students will have: 1. Gained basic concepts and understanding of tools related to 3D production. 2. Become comfortable with basics of modeling, lighting, texturing and    rendering. 3. Understand the fundamentals of strong 3D design. Your grade will depend on the following criteria: Meeting Project Deadlines: It is important to have your work available for critique- work unavailable for critique will be lowered one full grade. Creativity and personal input into execution of project Coming prepared to class, including assigned reading and assignments Showing in-progress work, which can benefit from suggestions, rather than presenting entirely new work at critiques Effective visually aesthetic solutions to all problems assigned Taking initiative to work outside of class and research Hard work and sweat Participation in critiques and discussions
Attendance	Student absences are not expected to exceed more than 10% (2 absences) of the number of the classes scheduled for the semester. Each absence after the second will subtract 10% from your final grade. The student is responsible for any lectures or assignments missed.  If an assignment is due a week that you are absent, it is your responsibility to make sure it still arrives on time.  This is for your benefit.  A good portion of our class time will be spent doing hands on tutorials, screening films, and critiquing work.  Lecture notes will not make up for these missed learning experiences. READ THIS:  You may not miss the final class date.  Doing so will equal an automatic two letter grade reduction of your final grade.  If for some reason you cannot make one of these dates you must contact your instructor BEFORE the class that you must miss.  Excuses given after the fact will not be accepted. No incompletes will be given without documented proof of circumstances beyond your control.  Brad Bird hates incompletes!
Class Work	This class is project-based and work-intensive.  90% of your grade will be based on projects.  Do work, have fun.  Work more.  Get tired. All assignments and grades will be listed on our Course Online site: https://col.cdm.depaul.edu
Critiques	Unless I tell you otherwise, assigned work must be completed and submitted through COLweb one hour BEFORE class starts.  This will keep us from wasting valuable class time. Handing in something unfinished is always better than nothing at all.  Due to the large size of our class, and the limited class time, not everyone's work will get a full review during class.  If you'd like more feedback, arrange to discuss your work with me during my office hours.  We will view and discuss everyone's final project during the last class.
Grading	Assignments Must be handed in on time. Late assignments will not be accepted on teacher discretion only. On time is submitted through COLweb one hour BEFORE class starts. Students who use class time to finish assignments the day they are due will forfeit the right to hand in that assignment. Class time is for working with the material at hand, not finishing late assignments. Late work: o Late work will not be accepted unless approved of PRIOR to the class in which it is due or accompanied by a valid medical excuse. Written Assignments: Must be typed. Digital Assignments: All assignments handed in digitally must be in the following format (please note upper and lower case usage) o LastnameFirstname_projectnameNumber.extension o example: ScottRoberts_TreeProject01.mb * Special Accommodations: If you have any special considerations please see the instructor. * BACK UP YOUR WORK: Failure of computer software and or Hardware will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance for late projects or incomplete grades so back up your work daily.
Grading	10%   Participation, Reaction Papers 65%   Projects                         25%   Final project                                            A = 100-93, A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-88, B = 87-83, B- = 82-80, C+ = 79-78, C = 77-73, C- = 72-70, D+ = 69-68, D = 67-63, D- = 62-60, F = 59-0.  A indicates total excellence, B indicates good work, C indicates average, uninspired work, D work is unsatisfactory, F is really, really bad.
Academic Integrity	Work done for this course must adhere to the DePaul University Academic Integrity Policy, which you can review in the Student Handbook or by visiting http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/homehandbook.html.
Materials and Supplies	All assignments in this class will be either transmitted digitally online or via CD/DVD.  I will state the preferred method of submission for each assignment.  Any assignment handed in late or when not present in class may be put on a CDROM or DVD with a sleeve or case and sent to my mailbox on the 4th floor of CDM. Don't submit a loose disc or fold it into a piece of paper! All CDROM's and DVD's must be labeled clearly with the following information:             -Your name             -The name of the assignment             -The class number and name you are submitting the assignment for             -The term (ex. Fall 2009)
Bibliography	Recommended Texts: Maya 2008 for Windows & Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guide) by Danny  Riddel, Morgan Robinson, Nathaniel Stein, Peachpit Press Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: Foundation (Paperback) by Alias Learning Tools Publisher: Sybex Learning Autodesk Maya 2008: The Modeling and Animation Handbook (Paperback) by Alias Learning Tools Publisher: Sybex "The Art of 3-D Computer Animation and Effects, Third Edition (Paperback)" Isaac Victor Kerlow, Publisher:  John Wiley & Sons; 2003 Reference Websites area.autodesk.com www.highend3d.com
Schedule	This schedule is subject to change throughout the semester.
Week 1	Intro to 3D modeling, Maya.  Basics of 3D design.
Week 2-3	Objects
Week 4-5	Architecture
Week 6-7	Figure
Week 7-8	Landscape
Week 9-10	Final Project
Tuesday Nov. 24th 2:45-5pm	Final Critique ATTENDANCE MANDATORY

Grading

School policies:

Online Instructor Evaluation

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online at https://mycti.cti.depaul.edu/mycti

Email

Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at http://campusconnect.depaul.edu is correct.

Academic Integrity Policy

This course will be subject to the academic integrity policy passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/

Plagiarism

The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.

Incomplete

An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.

Resources for Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.

To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted either:

• PLuS Program (for LD, AD/HD) at 773-325-4239 in SAC 220
• The Office for Students with Disabilities (for all other disabilities) at 773-325-7290 Student Center 307