Gallery 37 Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts Education Program Introduction to 3-Dimensional Modeling

Monday - Friday, 2:00 - 4:00pm Center for the Arts, Room 220 CPS Teacher: Pershing Anderson Teaching Artist: Ralph De Stefano / Beth Cerny Prerequisite: Portfolio review. Designed for artists who have seen computer animated films or played 3D video games and asked themselves; "How did they do that?" and "I wonder if I could do that?". Using state of the art software that graphic and effects artists use in Hollywood, students will experience the freedom and power of creating an entire world from nothing. Exploration of more traditional artforms such as drawing and sculpture, together with composition and lighting techniques taken from painting, photography and film provide a strong foundation for creating compelling artwork in a "virtual world". Throughout the class, students are encouraged to explore areas that interest them. Through constant sketching using pencil and paper, students develop an understanding of how 2D drawings translate into a 3D environment. Texturing of a 3D model offers the student a unique opportunity to see how the combination of lighting, color, and materials interact in real time. The virtual world of 3D graphics also provides the student with an unlimited number of perspectives to render from, allowing for an infinite choice of final images, resulting in a better understanding of composition and structure. As a final project, students will create a scene filled with props and a character they have designed. After lighting and texturing have been applied several compositions will be chosen. The rendered images will be printed out on a high-resolution color printer on archival paper and slides will be made for each students portfolio. In addition, the students final projects will be shown in a gallery setting, or in a virtual gallery on the internet. Skills taught by this curriculum: Ability to follow through on a project from idea, through sketching and design, to 3D modeling using the same tools as Hollywood graphic and effects artists. Ability to use drawings to conceptualize 3D computer generated artwork. Understanding of the unique expressive possibilities of 3D computer generated "unrealities". Understanding of lighting and composition in both the real and virtual world. Ability to render 3D works of art that are dynamic, interesting, and personally relevant. Understanding of elemental topics in physics and geometry as they relate to 3D modeling. A foundation of knowledge that is applicable to all artistic vocations. Curriculum Daily Lesson Plan

Copyright © 2000 ralph de stefano. all rights reserved. reproduction without permission is prohibited. last modified march 10, 2000