SYLLABUS
SUBJECT
SPATIAL FORMS
TEACHER
MSC. PIOTR KISIEL
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The subject “Spatial forms”, taken in the third semester, will discuss issues relating to the
creation of complex 3D structures and aspects of multidimensional animation and
visualization.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
During the course of study, student will become familiar with the aspects of 3D computer
graphics. The skills obtained will provide basis for the undertaking and creation of individual
projects. The subject will allow the student to attain competencies required by multimedia
companies, design and TV studios, also firms specialising in visualisation projects, design of
computer games, graphics and web contents.
GRADING POLICY
Subject matter
Selecting and displaying of objects
 Adding and deleting objects to a selected collection
 Blocking and unblocking selection
 Inverse selection
 Selecting by area and by object name
 Grouping objects
 Displaying hidden objects
Transformations
 Translation
 Scaling
 Rotation
 Reflection
 Object meta data flow (or Object information flow)
 Referencing methods “Parent”,” Local”, “Grid”, “Pick”, “Skreen”
 Centre of transformation
 Precise transformations
Duplication
 Copying
 Cloning
 Referencing
 Series of duplicated objects
 Advanced transformations, functions “ Mirror”, “Array”, “Align”
 Placing objects along a path
 Normalisation of objects
Object modification
 Modifiers, „bend”, „twist”, „taper”
 Modifier list tools
 Changing the order of object modifiers
 Removal of an applied object modifier
 Copying of an object attributes and modifier list
 Geometric modifiers
 Freeform deformations
 Rendering and partitioning modifiers
Generation of geometry
 Depth and segmentation of embossing, instruction “Extrude”
 Creating spatial object, instruction ”lathe”
 Text embossing, function ”bevel”
Fundamentals of rendering
 Rendering types and parameterisation
 Scene rendering
Cameras
 Creating cameras
 Camera with a fixed point of view, free moving camera
 Camera normalisation
 Camera customisation, changing aperture, focal length
 Camera environment, depth of field
 Camera navigation
 Camera animation
Material editor
 Sample palette
 Application of textures
 Sampling
 Material library
 Material application functions
 Area mapping
File management
 Saving
 Publishing
 Archiving scenes
 Addition of existing objects to a scene, function ‘Merge’
 Substitution of an object in a scene
 File import and export
 Configuration of file path
 Backup
Shape creation - Splains
 shape components
 complex shapes
 conversion of shape components
 creating cross sections
Precise definition of shapes
 Functions AutoGrid and ActiveGrid
 Measurement unit definition
 Construction grid, function ‘snap toggle’
Grid edition in Autodesk Viz 2007
 Structure level selection
 Structure level editor
 Soft selection
 Structure level transformation
 Structure level modification
Form edition in Autodesk Viz 2007
 Structure level selection
 Editable splain definition
 Structure level editor
 Curve adjustment
Scene composition
 object placement
 camera location
 scene lighting
 animation using key frames
 object motion along a path
Rendering parameters in Autodesk Viz 2007
 Mental Ray rendering parameterisation
Individual project
TIMETABLE
The practical weekly sessions will be conducted in a dedicated computer lab, and will be
based on the educational package Autodesk, capable of demonstrating the principles of the 3D
applications.
TEXTBOOK AND REQUIRED MATERIALS

Michael Tood Peterson: 3D Studio MAX3 dla każdego, Gliwice, Helion, 2000

Michele Bousquet: 3D Studio MAX R2, Mikom, Warszawa, 1999

3D FX magazyn

J.D. Foley, A. Van Damm – Wprowadzenie do grafiki komputerowej. WNT
Warszawa 1995

Kelly L. Murdock: 3ds Max 8. Biblia, Helion, 1999

Joanna Pasek: 3ds max 9.Animacja 3D od podstaw, Helion, 2000.
PREREQUISITES:
•
Basic computer knowledge
•
Appreciation of types and application of vector and raster graphics
•
Understanding of the principles and technology of the creation of animation
•
Familiarity with the principles of 3D graphics