Help - I need to teach a Viz class!

[AJLynn]

Here's the setup-

 

I'm the TA for Intro Computer Applications (an Autocad class, mainly sophomores and juniors) and the prof would like me to use the last day (a 3 hour class) to teach 3D rendering. This is usually not done in this class - usually they get a few weeks of 3D Autocad, and then later they learn Viz on their own and a majority of people make the same mistakes. Pretty good modeling (usually from Autocad) but then it breaks down - materials from the libraries, no UVW mapping, ambient lighting only or sun/daylight system not being used very well, poorly chosen non-camera perspective views and low-res renders with no post.

 

We'll be in the lab, I'll have an LCD projector and a fast PC, they'll all have fast PCs (older ones are P4-2.7, 1GB, Geforce 5000 series; newer ones are P4HT-3.6, 1.5GB, ATI x700) with Viz2005 and VRay Free. They'll have basic 3D Autocad models done in previous sessions suitable for basic interior or exterior scenes. We also have ADT2005, Revit 6.1, Microstation 8 and FormZ, but haven't been teaching any of these. We have the Adobe CS package, Premiere and the Macromedia MX 2004 package. No Sketchup - apparently the profs don't like it.

 

I've never really taught anything before, so my question is basically, what can I do in a 3-hour class? I think that using Viz and VRay will be the way to go - Viz because it's easy and works well with ACAD, VRay because it's easier to get good results than with scanline, and there's no way they're learning mental ray in 3 hours. I'd like to hit on:

 

Importing ACAD and 3DS (some of the students use Sketchup on their own PCs) and using import by layer

Defining materials (standard with diffuse, bump, specular, reflect and refract)

UVW mapping

Lighting with direct sun / VRay sky and interior lights, GI

Cameras

Rendering

 

Am I being reasonable?

 

I can also give handouts and assign reading (but not a lot, and most won't read it - it's studio crunch time and they're not being graded on it). What are good web tutorial sites for Viz? Is there anything as good as, for example, C4DCafe?

 

And, one last thing - I'd really appreciate any comments on this rough draft VRay Free quickstart guide - I didn't write it for this class, but I'd use it as a handout. (Yeah, that's that same image I keep using - it's the best one I've got for VRay Free.)

[a_w]

What is your class size?

Will they have lab time beyond those 3 hours to try out the things you show them?

 

If three hours is your total time for lecture and lab, then I think any more than 10 undergrad students (with at least three students who haven't a clue about VIZ) will make three hours not enough time to teach them all of what you're asking. You'll be able to show them everything during that time and probably inspire them to learn VIZ but at best it will be a demonstration instead of a lesson. Factor in half of your time for questions and lab. Without the lab they're just following along passively and not truly understanding.

 

A proper lesson in creating/applying materials and UVW mapping, where you also explain the concept of modifiers, subobjects, Viz UI and material properties could take up an entire three hours if questions are asked and the students are tasked to create their own materials based on the requirements of their space.

 

If you do try to show them everything you're asking about, I would suggest creating two VIZ files showing the same scene before and after materials and lighting are added. That way when all is said and done with your demo, the students can practice with the "before scene" file but look at your handouts and settings in the "after scene" file for examples of how things should be done.

 

I'll try to comment on your other requests later.

 

a_w

[lambros]

well, three hours is a very short amount of time. Usually, people need a recursive plug with knowledge to get the grasp of it. So it is very difficult to give them something that will last.

Nevertheless, the workflow you propose (importing ACAD,3DS, material editing, texturing, uvw, lighting, cameras and rendering) is just right. I am a bit worried about vray, I would strongly recommend teaching the default scanline and radiosity plugins. From my experience, it may complicate things going to a 3rd party renderer before learning the basics. If it was a 3 hour teaching on rendering, it would certainly be appropriate, but if you have to cover importing, cleaning, texturing, lighting and rendering, they are just too much on their own...The pdf on vray free is very very good. Good luck