BREANNA BROWNING
3D MODELING & MOTION
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Assignments
DESMA 131 : SP25
Newest Oldest. Assignments are always due before class on the specified date.
Assignment 9A
Due 6/2/25
Continue working on Project 02 in Blender. Upload test renders or videos. Combine everything into one pdf (or video) that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_9A” and upload to the Submissions Folder.
Reminder: PROJECT 02 DUE NEXT WEDNESDAY 6/4/25!!!
Assignment 8B
Due 5/28/25
Continue working on Project 02 in Blender. Upload a screenshot of your progress. Combine everything into one pdf (or video) that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_8B” and upload to the Submissions Folder.
Assignment 8A
Due 5/21/25
Begin working on Project 02 in Blender. Upload a screenshot of your progress. Additionally, write 1 paragraph describing your proposal for Project 02. Refer to the project brief. Use the narrative techniques we learned in Project 01.
Combine everything into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_8A” and upload to the
Submissions Folder.
Project 02 Brief
Assignment 6B
Due 5/14/25
PROJECT 01 DUE WEDNESDAY by 12 pm!!!! Refer to the Assignment brief (Assignments page) for exact specifications. Be prepared to talk about your work (elevator pitch) for our screening.
Upload your files to the Submissions Folder. Name them “Lastname_Firstname_PROJECT01_FINAL.”
Assignment 6B
Due 5/12/25
Continue working on Project 01. Upload evidence of your progress, including sample renders from each scene at full resolution. Your renders should be well underway by Monday!
Upload your files to the Submissions Folder. Name them “Lastname_Firstname_6B.”
Don’t forget that our deadline is NEXT WED 5/14/25!!!!!
Assignment 6A
Due 5/7/25
Continue working on Project 01. Upload screenshots or a video of your progress.
Upload your files to
the Submissions Folder.
You don’t need a high quality render for this - a low res mp4 is fine. Name it “Lastname_Firstname_6A.”
Assignment 5B
Due 5/5/25
Part 1
Movement + Animation
Continue working on Project 01. Upload screenshots or a video of your progress.
Using the character animation tools is optional (you are not required to add characters to your projects, but if you are planning to use them, please start working on them now).
Upload your video files to
the Submissions Folder.
A draft quality render is fine. Name it “Lastname_Firstname_5B.” Each group member should submit their own progress.
Part 2
Storyboarding/Project Planning
With your partner, continue developing your project plan. Continue adding detail/information to your storyboard (started in Assignment 5A). You should also include a schedule indicating the following:
- Who is responsible for what scenes/renders
-
When you plan to start/finish the renders for each scene
- Time for compositing and video editing (ideally an in-person work session with both teammates)
- Time for adding sound (optional, for extra credit)
- Extra time for any re-renders or unexpected troubleshooting
Upload this as a single pdf (both partners can submit the same one) using the naming convention “Lastname_Firstname_5B” to the Submissions Folder.
Assignment 5A
Due 4/30/25
Part 1
Movement + Animation
Explore the basic animation techniques we covered in class. Animate some of your objects and/or cameras in your scene for your project.
Upload your video files to the
Submissions Folder.
You don’t need a high quality render for this - a low res mp4 is fine. Name it “Lastname_Firstname_5A.” Each group member should submit their own animation.
Part 2
Storyboarding
With your partner, come up with a plan for the shots within your project. Consider camera movement as well as the animations within your scenes. You can communicate your plan however is most helpful for you - drawings/sketches, screenshots, generative images, outlines, shotlists, etc. You should have a clear idea what you need to produce for your final video and how you will manage/split the work.
Upload this as a single pdf (both partners can submit the same one) using the naming convention
“Lastname_Firstname_5A” to the
Submissions Folder.
Assignment 4B
Due 4/28/25
Explore the advanced texturing, lighting, or UV unwrapping tools we covered in the class tutorial. Apply what you’ve learned in your project, and render 3-5 still images of your progress.
Combine everything into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_4B” and submit them into the
Submissions Folder.
Assignment 4A
Due 4/23/25
Part 1
Using new technologies for modeling
Using the modeling tools we discussed in class (photogrammetry, NeRFs, Gaussian Splats, AI tools), begin developing an environment, scene, or new element for your Project. Render 3-5 still images of your progress.
Part 2
Narrative
Revise your narrative for your project. If you feel stuck, revisit the Lecture Notes page and reference the questions at the end of the Worldbuilding talk. Write a brief, 2 sentence description of your project as well as a 1-3 paragraph expanded description. Your narrative should describe what your project is about, what the story is, or what idea(s) you’re trying to convey.
Combine everything into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_4A” and submit them into
the Submissions Folder.
Both teammates can submit the same narrative, but please submit seperate explorations of new technologies.
Assignment 3B
Due 4/21/25
Using the kitbashing techniques we discussed in class, begin developing an environment, scene, or new element for your Project. Render (or screenshot) 3-5 still images of your progress.
Provide “Before and after” screenshots showing the assets you downloaded/found and how you’ve transformed them. Original models should be transformed significantly. Consider: material/texture, shape, configuration, polygons, orientation, positioning, scale, etc.
Combine your renders and your before and after images into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment3B.” Upload your pdf to the
Submissions Folder.
Assignment 3A
Due 4/16/25
Part 1
Rendered views of your digital models:
Continue working on your digital models. Explore the material / texture / lighting tools we learned today in class. Apply a texture to part/all of your model, light your scene with an HDRI, and Render 3 different views using Arnold. Low quality (720p) is fine.
Part 2
Concept/reference images:
Use the online generative image tools discussed in class (and listed on the Resources page) to create 5+ concept images for your projects. These images should be a supplement to your narratives, physical objects, and digital models that help you explore and communicate the tone, colors, spaces, forms, lighting, etc in your project. The images do not need to be an cohesive or direct representation of your project - they are just another tool in the “toolbox” for exploring your ideas and figuring out how to translate them into digital space.
(optional) You may also include any other reference images you’ve found.
Combine the 3 renders, 5 concept images, and (optional) reference images into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment3A.” Upload your pdf to the
Submissions Folder.
Assignment 2B
Due 4/14/25
Please use the poly modeling + NURBS modeling tools we learned in the last two classes (refer to the Tutorials for notes) to begin modeling your physical constructs. You could work on modeling a small part of your object or the entire thing.
Take the following screenshots, and combine them into one pdf that’s named “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment2B”:
- Top View
- Front View
- Side View
- Perspective Views (3+)
Upload your pdf to the
Submissions Folder.
Assignment 2A
Due 4/9/25
Continue working on your physical object.
Take 1-3 thoughtfully composed and lit photos of your construct (iPhone photos are fine). Submit these to the
Submissions Folder as a single pdf using the naming convention “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment2A.”
Later this week you will start modeling your objects/parts of your objects in Maya. If you do not feel comfortable with the tools we learned in today’s tutorial, spend some some time practicing with them. Feel free to start modeling your objects if you are ready and would like to get a head start.
Assignment 1B
Due 4/7/25
Part 1
Project Proposal
Write a proposal for Project 01. Include the following:
- Narrative/Conceptual Framework: Provide a one-sentence elevator pitch summarizing your project idea, followed by a 1-2 paragraph explanation elaborating on the concept.
- Project Elements: List all the components of your project, including what you plan to model, animate, or download. Describe the overall scene— Is there a storyline? What key elements will your project include?
Part 2
Physical Construct
Begin building, sculpting, or assembling a physical object related to your project proposal. Anything goes except full characters/people - we won’t be learning to model those until later on in the course. Body parts or props are ok.
Keep in mind that you will be creating a digital version of this object (or at least part of it) as well. Both the physical and digital models will evolve together over time. This construct does not need to be a “finished” work. You can take it apart, put it back together, or break it as many times as you’d like. Just be sure document the iterations along the way.
We will have a show-and-tell session Wednesday (4/9). By next class (Monday 4/7) you should made good progress on your objects.
Upload your Project Proposal and a photo of the progress you’ve made on your physical constructs to the Submissions Folder
as a single pdf. Name the file “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment1B”.
Teamwork is encouraged, but please make sure both students submit a pdf. Your narrative can be the same, but each student should practice taking high quality photos of your objects (ie - each student should submit their own images).
Project 01 Brief
Due 5/14/25
Download pdf: Project 01 Brief
Assignment 1A
Due Wed 04/2/25
- Referring to the Introduction talk (pdf in Lecture Notes), conduct a survey of your ideas and interests that might be relevant to your class project(s). Consider spending some time on research, reflection, and exploring. Be open minded!
- Present the outcomes in a single pdf document (can be writing, images, links, or a combination). Upload your pdf using the naming convention “Lastname_Firstname_Assignment1A” to the Submissions Folder before class Wednesday. Use your UCLA google account to access the folder.
- Install Maya 2024 on your laptops.
- Acquire required hardware as discussed in class and listed on Resources page. It’s OK if you don’t have them until Monday.