Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Delivery
- Asynchronous Online: Learning takes place online and asynchronously within a course site, typically hosted in a learning management system (LMS).
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course. Having previous experience with 3D modeling in Maya (or 3D animating in comparable software) is helpful but not required.
Course Materials
- Video tutorials created by instructor (provided in Modules)
- Additional support and learning from Autodesk
- Additional tutorials available on LinkedIn Learning
Technology Requirements
- Computer system with these specifications to run and render projects with Maya software
- Autodesk Maya: Educational free one-year access
- Install with Arnold & BiFrost (checkboxes during installation process)
- Three-button Mouse
- External hard drive (preferred)
- Free Vimeo account (preferred by AT Program) or YouTube
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
- Creative Thinking: Students exhibit originality and creativity in ideation, concept development, and problem-solving by integrating innovative and imaginative elements into artwork & projects.
- Technical Competency: Students exhibit a high level of technical skill and proficiency in utilizing relevant tools and software in their application of creative projects.
- Visual Literacy: By analyzing and applying visual elements effectively to convey ideas and messages, students demonstrate an understanding of visual language, composition, and aesthetics.
- Critical Thinking: Implementing active research through reading, discussion, and writing, students demonstrate the ability to think analytically and conceptually about art.
- Professional Ethics: Students consider, articulate, and develop professionally diverse, ethical, accessible, and inclusive approaches to technological art and design projects.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) Alignment
| CLO | Description | PLO |
|---|---|---|
| A | Utilize Autodesk Maya's interface, tools, and workflows to create and manage 3D scenes. | 2, 3, 5 |
| B |
Construct hard-surface and organic 3D models using foundational modeling techniques. |
1, 2, 3, 4 |
| C |
Apply materials, textures, and shaders to create visually compelling 3D assets. |
1, 2, 3 |
| D |
Create professional-quality rendered images through the use of lighting, cameras, and rendering workflows. |
2, 3, 4, 5 |
| E | Implement effective topology and geometry optimization techniques for production-ready assets. | 1, 2, 3 |
| F |
Build, skin, and organize a functional character rig suitable for basic animation and interactive media applications |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points/Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: Maya Basics | Creating your first scene using Maya's primitive polygonal meshes | 5 |
| Assignment 2: Basic Prop | Creating a basic hard-surface polygonal model | 5 |
| Assignment 3: Intermediate Prop | Creating an intermediate hard-surface polygonal model | 5 |
| Assignment 4: NURBS | Creating a model using NURBS and Curves tool | 5 |
| Assignment 5: Material & Texture | Creating a model and assigning various materials | 5 |
| Assignment 6: UV Mapping | Creating a UV map from model and assigning custom texture | 5 |
| Assignment 7: Lighting & Rendering | Set up proper lights and adjust camera setting, then render out using Arnold Render | 5 |
| Assignment 8: Midterm progress | Midterm progress | 5 |
| Assignment 9: MIDTERM – Prop | Create a stylized prop, texture, and render out | 15 |
|
Assignment 10: Character Block out |
Create a character block out of a bipedal character | 5 |
| Assignment 11: Character Model | Complete a bipedal character model | 5 |
| Assignment 12: Rigging | Add a skeletal joint to the character model. | 5 |
| Assignment 13: Skinning | Bind the polygon to the skeleton and optimize skinweights | 5 |
| Assignment 14: Rigging Controls | Create and add controllers to the character rig | 5 |
| Assignment 16: Final Project – Rigged character | Create a animation ready bipedal character rig | 15 |
| Participation | Participate in discussion board and present midterm & final projects | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Video Tutorials
Each week will feature a series of video tutorials demonstrating tools and techniques for that week's topic. Individual video tutorials range from 3 to 15 minutes in length. After watching each video, I recommend you open Maya and practice what was demonstrated.
Weekly Resources
Each week's module will include additional resources, featuring an Artist to Watch, additional video tutorials, and links to relevant Autodesk support documentation.
Weekly Help Boards
Weekly help boards are the central location for 1) asking questions about using the software and 2) troubleshooting specific tools and techniques related to that week's topic. You are also encouraged to ask about additional tools and techniques that interest you (whether or not they have been addressed in the tutorials).
Weekly Assignments
Weekly assignments allow you to practice what you've learned each week and keep track of your progress. Both the midterm and the final project are worth 15 points and will be assessed based on merit. The rubrics for each can be found on their individual assignment pages. All other weekly assignments will be awarded full points upon submission.
Peer Review Discussion Boards
You are expected to share your work with your classmates via the peer review boards. After you've uploaded the requested file type and provided context about your work, you will offer commentary on your classmates' work and progress. Participation in these forums throughout the semester will account for the final 10% of your grade.
Live Sessions
Optional live sessions are provided for direct learning between instructor and students. In these sessions we can review weekly course content and answer questions tailored to student's needs. These live sessions are optional additions to weekly learning content and participation is not graded.
Course Policies
Communication
The best way to reach me is through email. If you have specific questions about using Maya, please begin by posting on that week's help board, as other students may have similar inquiries, and/or join in live sessions that week.
Late Policy
I will accept late work up until the final week of class, although it is highly discouraged to submit late assignments.
Generative AI Policy
Generative AI tools may be used to support ideation, brainstorming, research, and visual reference development throughout this course. Students are encouraged to explore AI-generated imagery as a means of generating concepts, refining ideas, and gathering inspiration for their projects.
Students should use AI-generated content as a reference tool rather than a substitute for the creative and technical work required in this course. The primary objective of this course is to develop skills in 3D modeling, UV mapping, texturing, rendering, and asset presentation. All submitted work should demonstrate the student's own understanding and application of these techniques.
Academic Integrity and Original Work
Students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and submit original work that demonstrates their own learning and skill development. The purpose of this course is to build proficiency in 3D modeling, UV mapping, texturing, rendering, and asset presentation through hands-on practice.
Unless explicitly approved by the instructor, students may not submit downloaded, purchased, AI-generated, or otherwise externally sourced 3D assets, textures, materials, or project files as their own work. While tutorials, documentation, and reference materials may be used for learning, submitted assignments and projects must represent the student's own efforts and understanding.
Violations of academic integrity, including plagiarism, unauthorized use of assets, or misrepresentation of work, will be handled in accordance with University of Oklahoma policies.
For more information, please review the University of Oklahoma Academic Integrity Code:
OU Academic Integrity – Students
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Access the University Academic Policies Document.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|