Professor Thomas Sakoulas
State University of New York at Oneonta : Art Department
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3D Modeling

3D Modeling is a course taught by Thomas Sakoulas at the State University of New York at Oneonta.This site is designed as an auxiliary tool for the students participating in this class.

How to submit your work for grading

 

weekly Progress Presentations:

What to Show:

Original work is preferred (concept art is welcome, and/or developed surfaces are preferred. A combination of concept work and modeled surfaces in every presentation is ideal).

Tutorial work is also accepted if it shows a unique approach to the tutorial, or a unique variation.

Show us your thoughts in any medium (video, writing, flip book, drawing, sculpture, painting). Your thoughts must be relevant to your modeling work.

We are looking for well developed work that spans an entire week of dedicated time. Please spare us from the things you put together only on Wednesday night because there is a critique on Thursday.

 

For the critiques:

Present to class your concept art and any preliminary modeling work you have done. --> This is a formal oral presentation and your mid-term report will be based on it.

All your concept art must be presented in printed format
(use good photographic paper for digital files). If you use pencil or ink present the original drawings.

 

For the final critique:

Submit a folder containing the following:

  1. A DVD (or CD) with your work. The disk must be labeled neatly with the following:
    • Student Name
    • Course
    • Semester and Year
      • Use permanent marker to write on your disk. Do not use stickers, or printed labels
      • Put your disk into a case or paper disk folder (paper folders are preferred).
    • Organize the contents of your DVD (or CD) like so:
      • Create three folders and copy in them the appropriate art work. Name them like so:
        • Final Models
          For each model save
          • The original scene as an .mb file
          • At least one rendered tif or iff image
        • Concept Art
          Save here all your concept art. JPG files are preferred at least 500 pixels tall or wide. If concept art was created in pencil, it must be scanned and saved here as jpg files.
        • Tutorials
          Save here all the final tutorial files you performed
        • Other work <-- optional for those who like to submit other extra work
  2. A typed list of contents must accompany the DVD (or CD) .
    the paper must contain the following:
    • For each artwork specify the file name
    • Include a thumbnail of a representative screen shot of this artwork
    • A short explanation of processes and tools used in the completion of the artwork (I mean short; no more than five lines each), and your involvement in the process if this is a group effort.
  3. A printed cover page explaining your artwork, the process, and the concepts explored. The cover page must not exceed one page.

For group projects submit all of the above plus a list of all modelers in the team and their individual responsibilities.

Dates are posted on the class' calendar.

 

Assignments:

1 Go through the assigned tutorials, exercises, and readings (see calendar).
2

Create concept art for the final modeling project.

3

Final Project:

Transform your best concept art into digital 3-dimensional models.

OR

Join a Group Project:

Join a group of 4 modelers and choose one of the following projects:

Create a fish tank

  • Choose a project leader for the group.
  • The project leader is responsible for keeping a list of each modeler's responsibilities.
  • Each modeler in the group is responsible for one element of the fish tank (the tank, the water, the fish, the coral, the diver, etc.)

Create a city scene

  • Choose a project leader for the group.
  • The project leader is responsible for keeping a list of each modeler's responsibilities.
  • Each modeler in the group is responsible for one element of the scene (buildings, cars, characters, fire hydrants, etc.)

Create a "still life" scene

  • Choose a project leader for the group.
  • The project leader is responsible for keeping a list of each modeler's responsibilities.
  • Each modeler in the group is responsible for one element of the still life.

Re-Create a historical building, monument, or scene

  • Choose a project leader for the group.
  • The project leader is responsible for keeping a list of each modeler's responsibilities.
  • Each modeler in the group is responsible for one element of the scene.

 

 

 

  Follow the calendar for dates and reading assignments.
Submit work for grading during the scheduled critiques.

 

 

Resources

[ Use your SUNY id and password if prompted ]

Download PDF files:

Calendar

 

Gallery of Student Work

 

Lecture Notes:

01 - Overview of 3D world, working with Maya

02 - Formats

03 - Polygon Meshes

04 - NURBS Geometry

05 - Creating NURBS Geometry

06 - Subdivision Surfaces

07 - Modeling the Human Body with Polygons

08 - Building a polygon head

09 - NURBS character modeling

10 - NURBS head modeling

11 - Rendering overview
Images: Hardware | Software | MentalRay | Global Illumination | GI with shadows
11 - Raytracing
-- An explanation of Raytracing
-- Some examples of Raytracing
-- Raytracing example
11 - Global Illumination
-- An explanation of Global Illumination (image example)

12 - Shading

13 - Textures
-- The basics of creating UV maps

14 - Lights & 15 - Cameras

 

Human Anatomy images
A collection of useful images of the human figure.

Your Required Textbook

By now you should have a copy of "Learning Maya 6 | Modeling)

Here is how to use it.

When you put the DVD in the tray, your computer will open the DVD player and will start playing. Feel free to watch all the movies and tutorials there.

Your actual book is in PDF format.

  • Quit the DVD player
  • Double-click the DVD icon on the desktop
  • Double-click "LM_Modeling_Book"
  • Double-click the "LM_Modeling.pdf" file
    It will open the PDF and ask you for a password.
  • You can find your password in the back cover of your DVD under "Disk Contents" (bottom right). where it says "eBook Key")

3D Printing
(Rapid Prototyping)

Rapid Prototyping is the process by which a 3D model can be printed into a tangible 3D object.

Xpress 3D is an online service that can print your model using different rapid prototyping techniques.

 

Tutorials and Lessons in the Computer Lab

In your professor's "Public" folder (Xserver) find the "Getting Started with Maya" PDF and make a copy in your own folder.

If you own a copy of Maya software:

  • Open Maya, go to "Help", click "Learning Movies" Watch all movies.
  • Open Maya, go to "Help", click "Tutorials". A web page opens. Select "Getting Started With Maya". It should take a few days, but you must complete these tutorials.
  • The files for these tutorials are available in Thomas' Public folder (please copy them to your folder before opening them)

 

Tutorials and Lessons on the web

Highend3D (Maya Tutorials)
LearningMaya.com (a collection of modeling tutorials)
Maya3d.dk (Maya tutorial database)
3Dcafe (Maya tutorials)
Gnomon Maya Tutorials and Tips
Keith Lango character animation and tutorials
Mtmckinley Maya tutorials
Tutorial Find Maya tutorials
Web3D Maya modeling and animation tutorials
Mental Ray Reference

 

Specific tutorial exercises

Modeling a foot in Maya (3dtotal.com)
HDR rendering and compositing

 

Forums (ask questions, find answers)

Alias (Maya discussion forums)
HighEnd3d.com > Maya Forums
PostForum
3DCommune
CGtalk
Learning-Maya forums
Help3D

 

3D Modeling Works

ch3.gr

3Dcafe: 3D models (meshes)
3D models gallery at IGP
3Dtotal
Jamie Field online portfolio
Stefan Jaeger
JRBassett
GraphicWelt

3D Animation Works

Neil Peart YYZ (animation by Bobby Standridge)

 

CONCEPT ART RESOURCES

conceptart.org
Terry Gilliam's Dreams
Evermotion tutorial on creating concept art
Gamma Ray
Brasshorsekiller
Actionexpress
James Clyne
GuildWards
Q3F
Millimeter (star wars art analysis)
Crystal Space
Anatomy of a Dewback
Expedition Everest
Wing Commander
GFXartists
Dark Elves
Shinjy Aramaki
EQ2 slide show
also try google

3D Modeling and Animation News, Info, and Resources

3Dcafe
Wired: The Toy Story Story
Rendering Techniques Glossary, A description of rendering terminology.

 

Careers

Pixar: For College Students & New Grads:
How to Put Together and Submit a Demo Reel


Pixar: Frequently Asked Questions
Pixar: Job Openings
Disney: Job Openings
Dreamworks: Jobs and Internships
ILM: Jobs, Internships and FAQ
LucasFilm: Employment and Internships
Blizzard Entertainmnet: How to get a job at...
Blizzard Entertainment: Job openings
LucasArts: Job openings and internships
Firaxis: Jobs and internships

3Dcafe jobs posted
About.com Computer Animation Job sites