Outline

Overview

This unit teaches students an understanding of the basic concepts of modelling and prototyping 3D artefacts. Students will develop skills in creating and using 3D models for real-world and virtual environments. The unit further introduces students to rapid prototyping fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing and laser cutting with the aim to understand how to prepare a digital representation of artefacts (such as digital products or packaging) for physical fabrication. Students will learn how physical artefacts are represented in 3D digital models by modelling various 3D geometric entities, and how to create photorealistic representations that accurately and efficiently describe intent, structure, and geometric and surface variations of 3D models. Key concepts covered in this unit include: boundary representations, solid and parametric modelling, texture mapping, light sources, camera locations and projections.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DECO2018
Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	DECO1008
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Human-centred design processes and methods
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rohann Dorabjee, rohann.dorabjee@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small test	In-tutorial tasks Design	20%	Multiple weeks	Maximum 2 hours per exercise
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Design visualisation Design	35%	STUVAC Due date: 15 Nov 2021 at 23:59	A4 poster, >1 rendering
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Sketches and 3D Blockout Design	15%	Week 05 Due date: 06 Sep 2021 at 23:59	3 – 6 x A4 pages of documentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Digital 3D Model Design	30%	Week 09 Due date: 12 Oct 2021 at 23:59	Blender scene, Optional: 3D print
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1

In-tutorial tasks: This assessment will be divided into four parts. Each part will provide you the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the following:

1A: Basic primitive modelling
1B: Complex modelling techniques
1C: Rigging and skinning with suitable animation
1D: Texturing and materials and rendering

Assessment 2

Sketches and 3D Blockout: You will prepare a document that describes and visualises their concept for the virtual simulation/environment. The document should be professionally presented and include the following:

Title page with a description and 2 - 4 sketches
Mood board with images of inspirational elements
Screenshots of your Blender scene showing the block out of the environment

Assessment 3

Digital 3D Model: Students will submit a 3D model that they have designed as a .Blend file. Due to restrictions and limitations, students have the option to also 3D print a certain element/aspect within their 3D environment. For additional details on the submission requirements and assessment criteria please refer to the Assessment Brief.

Assessment 4

Design Visualisation: Students will prepare an A4 poster that displays their 3D virtual environment and showcases its highlight features. The poster should incorporate at least 1 photo-realistic rendering of the dwelling, that demonstrates an understanding of lighting, camera positions, textures, materials, and other aspects of the rendering process. For additional details on the submission requirements and assessment criteria please refer to the Assessment Brief.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	History of 3D design and 3D modelling	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to A1 - Mood board – Concept sketch Introduction to Blender - UI and Viewport navigation - Primitive Shapes - Points, curves and 2D operations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Digital 3D Modelling - Geometric theory of shapes - Principles of 3D representations - The Blender environment	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Basic 3D operations - Primitive shapes – Extrude – Inset - Commence Poke ball structure. - Complex surfaces	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Digital Prototyping	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Workshop for A1A. - Commencing Environment modelling	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	3D Environments - Inspirational creations - Applications	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	3D Block out - Continuation on environment block out. - 3D Scene organisation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Digital Fabrication - What is digital fabrication? - Digital disruption	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Workshop: A2 - Feedback session. - 3D modelling Modifiers	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Complex geometry in 3D space. - Boolean based objects - Geometric topology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	3D operations - Boolean operations on Pokeball A1B - Import/export and file formats.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	The Good, The Bad, The Ugly in 3D - Good and bad practises in 3D	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	3D Debugging - Cleaning up non manifolds - Fixing modelling issues.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	3D Animation, Rigging and Skinning properties. - Modelling topology to suit animations. - Vertex properties for each bone.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Basic 3D animation - Advanced modelling techniques. - Introducing Timeline and graph editor. - Basic animation on Pokeball A1C	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Rendering Techniques 1 - Techniques of texture and material use - From 3D objects to flat UV maps	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Assessment Workshop. - Workshop: on final pointers for Assignment 3 – Feedback session Part 1.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Rendering Techniques 2 - Lights and reflections in realtime space	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Rendering Techniques 1 - UV Map recap - Lighting, camera angles etc.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Rendering engines - Introduction to industry standard rendering engines in Blender	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Rendering Techniques 2 - Materials and textures - Workshop on A1D.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Visualisation techniques - Within Blender and industry standard - Towards post-production methods, using photoshop and supporting tools	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Post-production techniques: part 1 - Postproduction Techniques	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Fundamentals of VR environments - Principles of spatial design - intro to game engines - Walk-through simulations	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Post-production techniques: part 2 - Postproduction techniques. - Preparation for final submission.	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate effective strategies for 3D modelling and fabrication of objects
LO2. Apply 3D modelling and fabrication techniques to achieve a creative outcome
LO3. Assess the aesthetic qualities of tangible devices and apply to a new design
LO4. Compose and render images for presentational impact and visual accuracy
LO5. Understand and communicate design decisions and the technical constraints of 3D modelling technologies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been changed in delivery due to the Pandemic. We also have made some changes to the weekly subject content as a result of the feedback received. In addition to this, this unit used to be a core subject (DECO1008) and now has adapted for the new unit.

Additional information

Additional costs

This unit of study has many additional costs, as students must pay for their own 3D-Printing, laser-cutting.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DECO2018: 3D Modelling and Fabrication

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect