Course Details for 2009/10
Course: 3D Interactive Environments
Banner Code: COMP1322
Course Coordinator for 2009/10: Mr Tony Ackroyd
Level: 3
Credits: 30
Pre-requisites:
Some knowledge of web media, programming and 3D Animation software
Aims:
Many people have played 3D computer games but few have thought about other applications of interactive 3D, and even fewer have created them. This course will look at the issues and problems in the creation and use of 3D interactive environments. It will aim to raise the critical awareness of the student when reviewing 3D environments by looking at current applications, applications in science fiction and the biological and engineering requirements needed to make the applications work effectively. The course will also aim to have students creating at least two PC based 3D environments using different software and languages to enable them to judge more effectively alternative methods of production.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
A. Explain the fundamental concepts of 3D environments.
B. Reflect on the effect human factors have on the design and use of technology used in an interactive 3D environment.
C. Discuss the issues to be considered when implementing 3D environments with current hardware and software technology; selecting and recommending appropriate solutions.
D. Design and create 3D interactive environments, justifying and explaining the decisions made.
E. Critically evaluate alternative methods of constructing and implementing 3D interactive environments.
Indicative Content:
What is a 3D Environment? What makes a good 3D environment?
The problems of real time animation compared to animation for video.
Creating and controlling: Navigation, animation, movement; interaction; lighting; textures, sound in 3D worlds.
Current and future applications of 3D environments... flight simulators to the holodeck.
Issues of 3D rendering on the computer.
Computer hardware and software requirements.
Use of hardware to control the Virtual Environment. (tracking, joysticks, etc)
Use of hardware to receive output from the virtual environment (head mounted displays, haptic feedback, motion platforms).
Requirements for Multi-User environments.
Use of software to create 3D environments on the computer (e.g. 3DS Max, Director, Second Life).
The programming needed to create interaction, behaviour and intelligence in a 3D environment (e.g. Lingo, Javascript, X3D).
Learning and Teaching Activities:
The course will look at theoretical and practical aspects each week.
The lectures will discuss key issues in the design of 3D environments and the use of hardware and software for creating 3D environments.
The tutorials will be lab based and focus on using software to create 3D environments on PC.
Students will be expected to complete tutorial work and carry out further study in their own time. Formative feedback will then be given in subsequent tutorials.
In term 3 there will be small seminar groups to reflect on the work produced.
Assessment Details:
Coursework 1 - 50%
Create a 3D interactive environment on the PC using a commercial package. Write an accompanying report that explains and justifies the decisions made. Learning outcomes A, B,C, D.
Coursework 2 - 50%
Create and present 3D interactive environment on the PC using open source software, eg X3D, Second Life. Write an accompanying report that explains and justifies the decisions made with an evaluation of the3 processes. Learning outcomes A, B, C, D, E
Banner Code: COMP1322
Course Coordinator for 2009/10: Mr Tony Ackroyd
Level: 3
Credits: 30
Pre-requisites:
Some knowledge of web media, programming and 3D Animation software
Aims:
Many people have played 3D computer games but few have thought about other applications of interactive 3D, and even fewer have created them. This course will look at the issues and problems in the creation and use of 3D interactive environments. It will aim to raise the critical awareness of the student when reviewing 3D environments by looking at current applications, applications in science fiction and the biological and engineering requirements needed to make the applications work effectively. The course will also aim to have students creating at least two PC based 3D environments using different software and languages to enable them to judge more effectively alternative methods of production.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
A. Explain the fundamental concepts of 3D environments.
B. Reflect on the effect human factors have on the design and use of technology used in an interactive 3D environment.
C. Discuss the issues to be considered when implementing 3D environments with current hardware and software technology; selecting and recommending appropriate solutions.
D. Design and create 3D interactive environments, justifying and explaining the decisions made.
E. Critically evaluate alternative methods of constructing and implementing 3D interactive environments.
Indicative Content:
What is a 3D Environment? What makes a good 3D environment?
The problems of real time animation compared to animation for video.
Creating and controlling: Navigation, animation, movement; interaction; lighting; textures, sound in 3D worlds.
Current and future applications of 3D environments... flight simulators to the holodeck.
Issues of 3D rendering on the computer.
Computer hardware and software requirements.
Use of hardware to control the Virtual Environment. (tracking, joysticks, etc)
Use of hardware to receive output from the virtual environment (head mounted displays, haptic feedback, motion platforms).
Requirements for Multi-User environments.
Use of software to create 3D environments on the computer (e.g. 3DS Max, Director, Second Life).
The programming needed to create interaction, behaviour and intelligence in a 3D environment (e.g. Lingo, Javascript, X3D).
Learning and Teaching Activities:
The course will look at theoretical and practical aspects each week.
The lectures will discuss key issues in the design of 3D environments and the use of hardware and software for creating 3D environments.
The tutorials will be lab based and focus on using software to create 3D environments on PC.
Students will be expected to complete tutorial work and carry out further study in their own time. Formative feedback will then be given in subsequent tutorials.
In term 3 there will be small seminar groups to reflect on the work produced.
Assessment Details:
Coursework 1 - 50%
Create a 3D interactive environment on the PC using a commercial package. Write an accompanying report that explains and justifies the decisions made. Learning outcomes A, B,C, D.
Coursework 2 - 50%
Create and present 3D interactive environment on the PC using open source software, eg X3D, Second Life. Write an accompanying report that explains and justifies the decisions made with an evaluation of the3 processes. Learning outcomes A, B, C, D, E
Text Books
The following is a list of books that may be used in this course.
This list is subject to change.
Please wait for advice from the lecturer when the course begins before spending money on books.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Date Of Publication |
ISBN | Comment |
| Akenine-Moeller, Tomas | Real-Time Rendering | A.K. Peters, Ltd. | 2002 | 1568811829 | |
| Bartle, R | Designing Virtual Worlds | New Riders | 2003 | 978-0131018167 | |
| Brutzman | X3D: Extensible 3D Graphics for Web Authors | Morgan Kaufmann | 2007 | 9780120885008 | excellent book, worth reading for the detailed notes and examples |
| Burdea, Grigore | Virtual reality technology | Wiley | 2003 | 0471360899 | comprehensive, but not cheap |
| Catanese, Paul. | Director's third dimension | Que | 2001 | 0672322285 | |
| Gutiérrez, Mario A. | Stepping into Virtual Reality: A Practical Approach | Springer | 2008 | 978-1848001169 | |
| Heaton, Jeff | Scripting Recipes for Second Life | Heaton Research | 2007 | 978-1604390001 | advanced, but you can learn a lot by looking at these scripts |
| MacGillivray, Carol | 3D for the Web | focal press | 2005 | 0240519108 | Good for 3d max and director work, and interviews with the experts |
| Partridge, Allen | Real-time interactive 3D games : creating 3D games in Macromedia Director | Sams | 2002 | 0672322854 | this is by the master of 3D in director. This gives you all the details about 3D lingo |
| Weber, Aimee et al | Creating Your World: The Official Guide to Advanced Content Creation for Second Life | Wiley | 2007 | 978-0470171141 | fast but very good introduction |
| Wolf, Jason | Shockwave 3D | New Riders | 2002 | 0735711976 |