• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

ECT 101Emerging Creative Technologies

Introduction to 3D Design

Model, light and render simple objects in 3D: navigating 3D space, modelling with modifiers, materials, lighting, cameras and rendering for portfolios, mockups and the web.

Planned

About this course

3D tools let illustrators and designers make product mockups, packaging visuals, environments and turntables. This course uses Blender (free and open source) for demonstrations, though the concepts transfer to other 3D software. You will learn to navigate 3D space, model objects from primitives using non-destructive modifiers, apply materials, light a scene, compose with cameras and render stills and turntables. It ends with exporting for portfolios, print and the web.

Who it’s for: Designers and illustrators new to 3D. A computer able to run Blender and a three-button mouse are recommended; no prior 3D experience needed.

You will be able to

  • Navigate a 3D scene and transform objects precisely.
  • Model a simple product from primitives using non-destructive modifiers.
  • Apply materials that describe surfaces convincingly.
  • Light and compose a scene with cameras for a portfolio render.
  • Render stills and a turntable and export models for the web.

Studio project

A product modelled, textured, lit and rendered as three stills and a turntable, plus a web-ready model export.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Product render set” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: 3D space

    Getting comfortable in three dimensions.

    1. 1.1Navigating the viewportExercise · 40 min
    2. 1.2Objects, meshes and transformsReading · 35 min

  2. Module 2: Modelling

    Building objects.

    1. 2.1Primitive and box modellingExercise · 50 min
    2. 2.2Non-destructive modifiersReading · 35 min
    3. 2.3Studio: modelling a productStudio · 90 min

  3. Module 3: Materials, light and camera

    Making objects look real, or deliberately stylized.

    1. 3.1Materials and texturesReading · 40 min
    2. 3.2Lighting a sceneExercise · 40 min
    3. 3.3Cameras and compositionReading · 30 min

  4. Module 4: Rendering and output

    Getting images and models out of 3D.

    1. 4.1Render engines and settingsReading · 30 min
    2. 4.2Turntables and portfolio rendersStudio · 60 min
    3. 4.3Exporting for web and printReading · 25 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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