KNB110 Virtual Art Department: 3D Assets and Virtual Worlds
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KNB110 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | KNB137 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KNB110 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KNB137 |
| Coordinator: | Paul Van Opdenbosch | paul.vanopdenbosch@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Like a traditional art department, the virtual art department (VAD) is focused on shot design, layout, visual development, and creating production-ready digital assets and worlds to be used in a range of production approaches and fields such as Film, Animation, Virtual Production, Games, visualisation, and immersive experiences to name a few. This unit explores the methods, applications, and theories of 3D and real-time asset production and virtual environment creation (world-building). You will learn about the fundamental components of 3D asset production, including textures, mesh, materials, and other aspects, and build abilities to create 3D assets using current production processes. This unit will also delve into approaches to environment creation and how assets can be adapted and adjusted to suit specific needs. You will learn about environmental narrative and how locations can be used to tell stories, as well as the impact of environments on narrative.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning creation of 3D assets.
- Demonstrate fundamental skills and the application of theoretical knowledge of 3D design, polygon modelling, texturing, animation, lighting and rendering for use in a real-time 3D engine.
- Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences and ethical judgement in the presentation and promotion of your creative outcomes for critique and critical and self-reflection.
- Demonstrate complex problem-solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes in the context of real-time 3D asset production.
Content
This unit covers core theory and current approaches to the creation of 3D real-time assets including modeling, texturing, materials/shaders, simple rigging and fundamental 3D Asset pipelines while also engaging with the history and context of 3D asset production. Additionally, the unit will aid in building your ability to translate 2D visual content and references into 3D forms and spaces. Furthermore, the unit engages in the fundamental application of layout, lighting and rendering within a real-time environment.
The unit develops graduate capabilities such as demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career as a 3D Artist and animator; demonstrating ethical judgement and respect for cultural and social differences; critical and creative thinking and problem-solving in creative practice and analysis; and working in a self-reliant and independent way.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
lectures will provide theoretical, cultural and contextual frameworks for animation studies, and tutorials will focus on critical discussion and analysis of key texts, animation works and practices. You will also develop creative works to explore aspects of animation production and benefit from feedback on works in progress through individual and group critiques.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester comments on summative assessment work in addition to marked rubric.
Assessment
Overview
The summative assessment for this unit includes the development and presentation of 3D assets utilising a range of approaches and software tools while also documenting and providing a written context for the outcome and approaches undertaken. The concept and design of the assets will be under the creative control of the students within the boundaries of a presented brief. Formative assessment involves regular feedback on approaches and outcomes during the development of each assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Real-time 3D Diorama
Create a collection of 3D assets and present them as a cohesive real-time diorama for critique, while also documenting your production processes and outcomes.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Project Milestone
Refer to your project documentation and engage in a professional conversation to critique your production methods, challenges and direction of your project to date.
Assessment: Virtual Environment
Create a rich narrative-driven world with a collection of bespoke assets and present using cinematic conventions, while also documenting your process.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.
This unit involves substantial computer-based work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Resources
Refer to the unit's Canvas Learning Resources for links to additional learning materials.
24-hour labs are accessible - on campus – during term time.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Chandramouli, Magesh. 2022. 3D Modeling & Animation : a Primer. First edition. Boca Raton, Florida ;: CRC Press.
Kadner, N. (2019). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 01. Epic Games. https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/vpfieldguide
Kadner, N. (2021). The Virtual Production Field Guide Volume 02. Epic Games. https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/Virtual+Production+Field+Guide+Volume+2+v1.0-5b06b62cbc5f.pdf
Pallant, C. (Ed.). (2015). Animated Landscapes: History, Form and Function Retrieved August 7, 2023, from http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781501304804
Thesen, Thomas Paul. 2022. Composition for the 21st 1/2 Century. Volume 1 : Image-Making for Animation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Recommended text(s)
Animation: an interdisciplinary journal - http://journals.sagepub.com/home/anm
Animation Studies - https://journal.animationstudies.org/
Animation Practice, Process & Production - https://www.intellectbooks.com/animation-practice-process-production
Branigan, E. (2017). Tracking Color in Cinema and Art: Philosophy and Aesthetics (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315317502.
Halligan, Fionnuala. 2013. Production Design. 1st edition. Burlington, Mass: Focal Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780240823898.
Shorter, Georgina. Designing for Screen : Production and Art Direction Explained, The Crowood Press, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/detail.action?docID=953034.
Software
Adobe 3D Substance Painter
Autodesk Maya
Epic Games Unreal Engine
Pixologic ZBrush
Reality Capture
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
Every effort is made by QUT staff to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely, you are expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfilment of the project in any way.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO4, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment
IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Real-time 3D Diorama, Virtual Environment - Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, Project Milestone - Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
Relates to: ULO4 - Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
Relates to: ULO3 - Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
Relates to: Real-time 3D Diorama
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO4, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO3, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment - Practise self-management of career and learning with enterprise and an entrepreneurial outlook, including the building of personal and professional relationships and partnerships.
Relates to: ULO4, Real-time 3D Diorama, Project Milestone, Virtual Environment