Skip to main content
10207115 Technical Skills 1
Course Information
Description
Develop foundational technical skills for digital 3D production, including computer and file management, revision control, project organization, asset deformation and control, rendering, and real-time 3D environments. Apply production workflows to create, manage, and present functional 3D assets and scenes. 
Total Credits
2

Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Manage computer systems and files to support digital production workflows
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Files and directories are organized and manipulated using appropriate file-management practices
    Compressed archives are created and extracted while preserving the required file and directory structure
    Required software is installed and configured according to provided specifications
    Computer hardware components are identified according to their functions within a digital production workstation
    Operating-system navigation tools and keyboard shortcuts are used to perform common production tasks efficiently

  2. Apply revision-control practices to manage digital production assets
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    A revision-control workspace is configured to access the required project files and directories
    Project files are synchronized, checked out, modified, and submitted using the appropriate revision-control workflow
    File checkout and locking status is correctly identified before modifying production assets
    Submitted revisions include appropriate descriptions of changes made to project files
    Revision history is used to identify changes and retrieve previous versions of project files

  3. Organize Maya projects
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use effective project structures and asset references
    Project files are stored in the directories within the Maya project structure
    Maya projects are configured so project resources resolve to the appropriate file locations
    External assets are incorporated using references to the production workflow
    Referenced assets maintain functional connections to their source files when projects are opened or transferred
    Changes to referenced assets are reflected in dependent scene files without unnecessarily duplicating source assets

  4. Construct joint structures and skin 3D geometry to produce controlled deformation
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Joints are positioned and oriented to support the intended articulation and deformation of the asset
    Joint transforms and hierarchies are configured for the intended skeletal structure
    Geometry is bound to the joints using suitable skinning settings
    Vertex weights distribute joint influence across the skinned geometry
    Skinned geometry deforms predictably through the intended range of joint movement without significant unintended deformation

  5. Construct rigging systems that provide predictable control of articulated 3D assets
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Rig controls are positioned and configured to manipulate the intended components of the asset
    IK chains are configured to produce the intended joint movement and articulation
    Pole vectors are positioned and configured to provide predictable control of joint-chain orientation
    Controls, joints, and other rigging components are organized into hierarchies and relationships
    The completed rig can be posed through its intended range of motion without unintended transformations or loss of control

  6. Create a rendered 3D scene
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use effective materials, lighting, and rendering techniques
    Materials are created and configured to produce the intended visual properties of scene surfaces
    Lighting is configured to illuminate the scene and support the intended rendered result
    Rendering settings are configured for the scene and available rendering hardware
    Global illumination is used to produce indirect lighting within the scene
    The completed render represents scene geometry, materials, and lighting as intended without significant rendering artifacts

  7. Construct real-time 3D scenes
    Assessment Strategies
    Projects
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use game-engine tools and workflows
    Geometry is created, placed, and transformed to construct the intended scene layout
    Materials are created, assigned, and modified to produce the intended surface appearance
    Lighting is configured to produce the intended illumination within the real-time environment
    Scene assets and levels are organized and saved so the project can be reopened and modified without loss of work
    The completed scene displays and functions as intended when viewed or run within the game engine