Chabot College
Fall 2003
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Architecture 33
3-D Modeling with FORM●Z
(See also Art 33, Interior Design 33, Photography 33)
Catalog Description:
33 - 3-D Modeling with FORM●Z
3 units
Introduction to 3-dimensional digital modeling using Form●Z software. Emphasis on learning basic
commands to create 3-dimensional objects including building interiors and exteriors, and defining
photo-realistic views with appropriate light sources. May not receive credit if Art 33, Interior Design
33, or Photography 33 has been completed. 2 hours lecture, 4 hours studio.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 35, studio 70]
Prerequisite Skills: None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. communicate basic knowledge of the program’s interface;
2. demonstrate the range of ways that Form●Z can be used in architectural design and
presentations;
3. use layers in organizing, creating and editing objects;
4. use planes in creating, editing and displaying objects;
5. construct the basic primitives;
6. transform a primitive or other object by manipulating the size and/or location of its points,
segments, holes and/or faces;
7. insert point segments, shapes and holes in primitives and other objects;
8. move an object or its copy through space;
9. create derivative objects;
10. create or modify objects using Boolean operations;
11. create or modify objects using the sweep and revolve tools;
12. import underlays and using them as guides to construct objects;
13. define and save planes, layers and views;
14. create and apply surface styles;
15. locate light sources to produce values and shadows that enhance the illusion of threedimensional form, depth and space;
16. specify views that communicate the form and spatial qualities of a design;
17. display and export views in a variety of ways and formats;
18. create site contour models;
19. create and edit organic shapes (shapes consisting of complex curves and/or polylines) using the
Skin, C-Mesh, and Nurbz Tools;
20. define and apply surface styles that appropriately represent materials;
21. define and locate natural and artificial light sources that appropriately represent the lighting of
space and form.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Program’s interface
3D digital applications for architectural design and presentations
Use of layers for drawing organization
Defining and using planes
Constructing basic primitives
Object transformation tools: Boolean operations
Importing underlays as guides
Defining and saving planes, layers and views
Defining surface styles
Chabot College
Course Outline for Architecture 33, Page 2
Fall 2003
10. Defining natural and artificial light sources
11. Creating and editing organic shapes
12. Exporting views and formats
Methods of Presentation:
1. Computer demonstrations
2. Lecture with white board
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a) Create drawing using basic primitives to show a living room with furniture; save file with
multiple views
b) Develop a 3-D house exterior with appropriate form (2-D plans and elevations provided) and
layer control; provide appropriate lighting
c) Create a building, bridge, or other urban structure to be placed in an imported image with an
urban context
d) Develop a drawing of an object (car, stroller, boat, etc.) which demonstrates ability to control
curvilinear surfaces (organic shapes)
e) Prepare a final drawing of student’s choosing that incorporates a majority of commands
learned during course.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a) Exercises
b) Quizzes
c) Final Exam
Textbook(s) (typical):
Inside Form Z: Guide to 3D Modeling and Rendering, Eden Greig Muir, OnWord Press (Thompson
Learning), 1999.
Form-Z: 3D Form Synthesizer: Tutorial. Sixth Edition, Columbus, Ohio: Autodessys Inc., 1999
Special Student Materials:
1. (2) 100 MB Zip disks
2. One six and twelve-page Itoya-style presentation book
G:/Curriculum2002/291186741
TS:kh Oct-02