Syllabus | Ezra Cove

Course Title: Digital Sculpting

Course #: GM 220 A

Credit Hours: 3

Semester: Spring, 2012

Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing, GM201

Class Meetings: M/W 12-12:50PM F 9-12:40PM

Instructor: Ezra Cove

Office Hours: T/Th 9-9:30AM, 1-2PM

Contact: ecove@mountida.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

All College Curriculum Objectives

GM 220 supports the All College Curriculum by teaching the following skills and/or perspectives:

Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Technology Competency
Professional preparation

Course Description

This course focuses on advanced approaches to organic modeling utilizing sculpting and texturing techniques for high quality maps. The goal of the class is to produce highly detailed, portfolio quality models and textures that show and perform well in popular game engines.

Course Objectives

Research solutions for software self-training
Self-teach software interfaces
Broaden software proficiency
Practice use of ZBrush for adding detail to existing 3D assets
Create game art assets from scratch within ZBrush
Hone understanding of 3D form through digital sculpting

Student Learning Outcomes

Draw upon existing software knowledge to quickly “ramp up” using other similar packages
Understand the strengths and weaknesses of 3D programs related to digital sculpting
Ability to determine the correct production tool for the job
Ability to research current digital sculptors and projects online
Understand the use of ZBrush and how it fits into a production pipeline
Use of ZBrush to generate normal and ambient occlusion maps for texturing
Creation of high-end, detailed game art assets

Examination and discussion of current trends and techniques in CGI, demonstration, exercises, studio assistance, oral presentation discussion and demonstration

Evaluation of Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be assigned a series of digital sculpture projects designed to incorporate tools and techniques taught in class. Projects will then be critiqued to determine aesthetic achievement and growth, along with demonstration of technical topics covered in class lectures and exercises. A final project will serve as a culmination of the semester’s work. In it, students should demonstrate competency in various facets of sculpting tools and techniques covered.

COURSE MATERIALS

This is a laptop-required course. All students must have a laptop capable of running ZBrush

Pen drive required for submitting assignments, external drive strongly recommended for back-ups

Drawing tablet (eg Monoprice) recommended (tablets available during class, but not for homework)

GRADING

Project 1 Dagger – 12%
Project 2 Column – 18%
Project 3 Skull – 15%
Project 4 Character – 20%
Project 5 Final project chosen with instructor approval – 25%
Exercises – 5%
Class participation and discussion – 5%

COURSE CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE

Week		Topic/Event		Quizzes, Tests, Major Assignments
1		Introduction: Course Goals and Syllabus, ZBrush Intro		20 noses
2		Creating a basemesh in Maya; UV layout post-sculpt; alphas; exporting normal maps		Dagger
	3		Subtools, polygroups, transpose		Dagger due
	4		Noise; brushes; retopo in and out of ZB; ZB primitives; clip brushes		Column assigned
	5		XNormal; rendering in ZB		Column due
	6		Organic sculpting		Begin Skull
	7		Polypaint		Skull with musculature due
	8		Dynamesh, ZSpheres, ZSketching		Begin character
	9		Work on characters, cloth
	10		Character props/accssories		Characters due
	11		Begin final		Propose character or hard surface final
	12		Work on final project
	13		Work on final project
	14		Work on final project
	15		Work on final project, rendering turntables		Final due: hi res images, game res in UDK, maps

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance and Class Participation

Up to five excused or unexcused absences are allowed with no penalty. All students are expected to participate in group discussions and critiques. Beyond five absences, the final grade will default to an F.

Late Work

Projects are due on the date posted. For every class after the due date that the project is late, the project grade will be reduced by 5%. For example, if Project X is due on Monday the 15th, and you pass it in on Wednesday the 17th, the best possible grade you could get for that project would be 95 out of 100 (95%).

Missed Assignments

The final grade is computed as a sum of the semester’s projects, exercises, and participation. Any part omitted by the student will get zero credit and will contribute to a decrease in the final grade.

SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES

Use your Mount Ida College Email on a Regular Basis

ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER (ASC)	The Academic Success Center (ASC), located on the first floor of Hallden Center, next to the rear entrance to the campus, offers free tutoring for students of all skill levels across a wide range of subjects. For the tutors’ schedule and further information about the Academic Success Center, go to the College website and select *Resources and Services and follow links from Academic Services to Academic Success Center.* Contact Christine McLaughlin, Director of the ASC and the Writing Center, at 617-928- 4722 or cmclaughlin@mountida.edu if you would like additional information about the help the ASC can provide.
WRITING CENTER	The Writing Center provides free, professional tutoring for writing in all courses; it is located on the third floor of the Academic Technology Center (ATC306). The Writing Center serves writers of all ability levels. For the writing tutors’ schedule and further information about the Writing Center, go to the College website and select *Resources and Services and follow links from Academic Services to Writing Center.* Contact the Supervisor of the Writing Center, at 617-928-7323 if you would like additional information about the help the Writing Center can provide.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES	Mount Ida College is committed to arranging reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability and would like accommodations in the classroom, please speak with Dean Alyce Curtis at your earliest convenience. If you have not yet presented your documentation to the College, you should schedule an appointment with Dean Curtis at 617-928-4556 or acurtis@mountida.edu to arrange for appropriate support services and classroom accommodations.
FACULTY ADVISORS	To help ensure your success, you will be assigned a faculty advisor in your first semester. Usually a faculty member within your major, this advisor will provide you with guidance on course selection, as well as long term academic planning and advisement to help you successfully reach your career goals. The name of your Faculty Advisor is posted on your MIWeb account. Contact Alyce Curtis, Dean of Academic Services at 617-928-4556 or acurtis@mountida.edu if you have general questions.
WADSWORTH LIBRARY	The Reference Librarians will help you find the information that you need for assignments, research papers, class presentations, projects and co-curricular activities. You can request reference support in person in the Wadsworth Library or on-line (from the Library homepage select *Ask the Librarian* under Library Information or use reference@mountida.edu.)You can link directly to the Library’s electronic databases and the Library’s online catalog, from the College website – go to www.mountida.edu, select *Library. You will need to use your Library bar code number on the back of your Mount Ida College ID to obtain access to databases off campus. The Wadsworth Library is open every day of the week.* Mon., Tues. and Thurs. – 7:30 am to 11:00 pm; Wed. – 7:30 am to 12 midnight; Friday – 7:30 am to 5:00 pm; Sat. – 10:00 am to 5 pm; Sun. – 1 pm to midnight. Library hours are extended during exam periods and change during holidays; you can check the Library hours on the Library homepage.If you have any questions about Library services, please contact the librarians at 617-928-4552 or reference@mountida.edu.
MEDIA SERVICES	All requests to use AV equipment must be sent online via SchoolDude. A request will not be honored unless it is sent using this online form. Requests must be made one week in advance of scheduled need. For more complicated set ups, Media Services needs more time.Services:1) You may borrow a wide range of audiovisual equipment to gather information or make presentations.2) The Media Specialist will instruct you in the use of all requested AV equipment.If you have any questions about requests for AV equipment, please contact Manouche Madanipour, Director of Technical Media at 617-928-7376 or mmadanipour@mountida.edu.
ACADEMIC COMPUTING	The College has two open access computer lab areas: Shaw and the Wadsworth Library. Instructional computer classrooms are available for student use when classes are not in session. Schedules are posted on the doors of the computer labs and on the College website – select Resources and Services and then select *Computer Labs. If you have questions about accessing or using the College’s computer labs, please contact Wallia Wright, Campus Computer Lab Manager at 617-928-4066 or* wwright@mountida.edu.
ANGEL COURSE SITE SUPPORT	Your instructor will let you know if there is a course site for your course and how it will be used in the course. You will receive your user ID and password via Mount Ida email. For support with accessing your course site and using any of the features of Angel Learning, contact the Instructional Technology Specialist at elearning@mountida.edu or 617-928-7396. A staff member will respond within 24 business hours.

The schedule and material in this syllabus may be updated or changed upon the instructional needs of the course and any changes in College schedules.