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10207113 3D Fundamentals
Course Information
Description
Develop foundational skills for working with 3D content. Create and manipulate objects, materials, and lighting; construct and modify polygonal forms; and use keyframes, animation curves, and animation principles to create motion that communicates weight, physical behavior, and character.  
Total Credits
2

Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Manipulate objects and scene elements within a three-dimensional production environment
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Viewports are navigated and configured to view scene elements from effective perspectives
    Objects are created, selected, transformed, shown, and hidden using effective scene controls
    Translation, rotation, and scale are applied using axes and coordinate space
    Object pivot points are positioned and used effectively for the intended transformation
    Scene files are created, saved, opened, and maintained without loss of required scene data

  2. Configure materials and lighting to define the visual appearance of a 3D scene
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Materials are created, assigned, and modified to produce the intended surface appearance
    Light types are selected and positioned according to the intended illumination of the scene
    Light properties are adjusted to control the intensity and appearance of illumination
    Shadows correspond effectively to the placement and properties of scene lighting

  3. Manipulate polygonal mesh components to modify three-dimensional forms
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Vertices, edges, and polygons are identified and selected according to the intended modification
    Mesh components are transformed to modify the shape of an object while maintaining the intended form
    Component selection methods are used to efficiently isolate the portions of a mesh requiring modification
    Changes to mesh components maintain appropriate connections with neighboring geometry

  4. Construct three-dimensional forms using polygonal modeling techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Extrusion is used to create new geometry that extends the intended form
    Beveling is used to modify edges and surfaces according to the intended shape
    Edge loops are created and positioned to provide geometry required for the intended form
    Mirroring and object-combination techniques are used appropriately to construct complete forms
    Overlapping or coplanar geometry is identified and corrected when it produces unintended visual artifacts

  5. Manipulate keyframes and animation curves to control motion over time
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Keyframes establish the intended values of animated properties at specific points in time
    Frame rate and playback settings are configured effectively for the intended animation
    Animation curves are interpreted to identify changes in value and motion over time
    Keyframe timing and values are adjusted to modify the resulting motion
    Curve slopes and tangent handles are manipulated to control transitions between keyframes

  6. Apply fundamental animation principles to communicate motion, weight, and physical behavior
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Criteria
    Timing and spacing communicate the intended speed and weight of an animated object
    Squash and stretch communicate changes in force and motion while maintaining the recognizable form of the animated object
    Changes in motion convey believable acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction
    Animated movement communicates the intended sense of weight and physical behavior
    Animated movement conveys a sense of character, personality, or life appropriate to the intended action