Semester Project Description and Schedule

VAILL 410: Advanced Digital Illustration

Winter 2014 — 3D Illustration Project

Assignment

Design, model, and texture a two-part (major and minor) 3D illustration using both 2D and 3D software (Photoshop, Painter, Maya, Mudbox, etc.). The subject of your 3D illustration may be a character, creature, vehicle, structure, prop or set piece (e.g. campsite, tree/plants, weapon/armor, etc.). 

Procedure

1. Start with thumbnail sketches or “roughs” to explore design ideas. Research relevant reference imagery to inform your concept.
2. Draw your design clearly from at least three (3) different views, including a two-point (or three-point) perspective view.
3. Use 2D digital illustration software to render at least one perspective view of your design in color, with visible indication of surface materials.
4. Use 3D modeling and texturing tools to build geometry, assign materials, lay out UVs, and pose or arrange your 3D object(s) in a scene.
5. Use 2D illustration software (Photoshop, Painter) to create and apply finished textures in color for all surfaces of 3D objects in your scene.
6. Use lighting and rendering tools to compose, light and render your 3D illustration for portfolio presentation.

Details and Expectations

• Geometry must be used efficiently and effectively, with approximately 1,000 to 10,000 polygons, depending on the subject.
• Geometry must be “clean,” using only 3- and 4-sided polygons and no stray vertices.
• Textures must be used efficiently (256 - 1024 pixels square) and not reveal obvious seams.
• Final art must be “production-ready” and suitable for use in a video game, mobile app, animated film, etc.
• Images of all concept and production stages must be posted on the class blog by the deadlines specified to earn full credit.

Due Dates

(See table below: “3D Illustration Project Schedule”)

Evaluations

• All stages of the project are subject to peer review in regular, formal class critiques.
• Four (4) phase milestones will receive professor evaluations for quality: 1. Concept Design Package, 2. Minor 3D Project, 3. Major 3D Project, and 4. Final Renderings.

Resources

• How To Draw, by Scott Robertson & Thomas Bertling
• Autodesk.com — Free Software Downloads — Maya Tutorials — Maya Glossary
• Gnomon Library — http://dbs.lib.byu.edu/gnomon — http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com
• HBLL — http://guides.lib.byu.edu/illustration — http://guides.lib.byu.edu/architecture — http://guides.lib.byu.edu/costumefashion
• ARTSTOR — http://www.artstor.org.erl.lib.byu.edu/index.shtml
• CGSociety — http://cgsociety.org — CGHub [PG-13]

3D Illustration Project Schedule
Project Phases	Project Steps	Due	Points	Class Activities
Concept	Concept Design Project		40
	Rough sketches (10+ thumbnails)	1/8	10	Project & process introduction; methods & resources
	Comp sketches (3+ views each)	1/15	10	Basic Maya orientation; concepts & terminology
	Color comps (8+ flat-color variants each)	1/22	10	3D modeling & UV mapping tutorials
	Color rendering with material indication (1 view each)	1/29	10	3D modeling & UV mapping tutorials
	Revisions / Concept Design Package Submission Due	2/5	Qual.	3D modeling & UV mapping tutorials
	Action/expression studies (extra credit)	n/a	10
Production	Minor 3D Project		30
	3D modeling	2/12	10	UV mapping & texture painting demos
	UV mapping	2/19	10	UV mapping & texture painting demos
	Texture painting	2/26	10	UV mapping & texture painting demos
	Revisions / Minor 3D Project Submission Due	3/5	Qual.	Presentations & demos as needed
	Major 3D Project		60
	3D modeling	3/12	15	Presentations & demos as needed
	UV mapping	3/19	15	Presentations & demos as needed
	Texture painting	3/26	15	Presentations & demos as needed
	Revisions / Major 3D Project Submission Due	4/2	Qual.	Presentations & demos as needed
Finishing	Lighting & rendering	4/9	15	Presentations & demos as needed
	Revisions / Final Renderings Submission Due	4/18	Qual.
	Total		130	FINAL: Friday, April 18th, 7:00 am-10:00 am