3D Project

February 4, 2006

This is a team project, with a team being from one to three people maximum. The due date and time is in the news group calendar.

1. Choose one of the following source structures to represent in 3D:
   • A mathematical formula (or set of equations)
   • A data structure
   • A program structure
   • A "model" (ie. from Systems Simulation or Databases)
2. Take this source structure and represent the structure in 3D. You must use a 3D modeling and animation program (no pseudo-3D) and produce either an interactive 3D structure OR a movie.
3. If you wish to mix live and synthetic imagery, that is fine. For example, using a green or blue screen technique, you might add in live actors to a scene involving the 3D representation(s).
4. Produce a "director's cut" where you describe what your piece represents by dubbing-in your voice. You must rehearse this, and use a script for a clean audio presentation. Make the appropriate camera moves to adequately illustrate the piece.
5. Sound/Music must be included in a way that represents the source components. Optional background music is fine as long as it is ambient (i.e., does not distract from the "foreground" piece).
   • For the Interactive piece:
     • Component identification (necessary): Make the project interactive by making it so that the user can point to a target component and be presented with the equivalent source component information
     • Behavior (necessary): Add "behavior" so that one sees the dynamics of the structure as it is "executed". For example, for an equation, one can see a plot. For a program, it executes, producing output. For a structure that has no identifiable behavior, output a characteristic of the structure such as behavior in the form of searching or sorting.
     • Game (optional): Make the 3D project into a game. Here are possible mechanisms for this approach: (a) generated completely correct 3D target, unknown source text (goal: knowing mapping, find correct source text); (b) generated partially correct 3D target, correct source text (goal: modify the target by changing select components). Additional ideas: Elapsed time, additional constraints such as demons, and optional first person mode.
   • For the Non-Interactive piece: create a movie and use the following: (a) creation of more than one camera; (b) one or more moving cameras; (c) post-process movie editing to create a quality cinematic experience.

Additional Information

• Deliverable: one CD or data-DVD containing
  • A README.txt file specifying how to interact with your project.
  • All files, including source files, textures. Acceptable formats for the 3D piece: .EXE (Windows), Java, Movie file (MOV, AVI, WMF, or MPEG2).
  • An 8-10 page single-spaced document (PDF or Word) describing a detailed source to target mapping via tree transformation. Include the source presentation in text along with snapshots. On the first page, specify your team members and responsibilities (i.e., who did what).
• There are no minimums on number of components. Choose a structure of "reasonable size". The grading will depend more on the quality and innovation of what is submitted.
• Grading: An average project that is complete and comprehensible will get a B. Only excellent projects will get an A. In-between projects will receive a B+. The instructor will assign the final grade based on feedback from the 2 Teaching Assistants. "A" grades go to impressive and innovative projects, and grades depend somewhat upon what your peers produce in terms of relative performance. Graduate students and teams have higher expectations.
  • Comprehensibility (can we understand what you are doing, with all documentation?)
  • Completeness (whether the design is complete and accurate, and whether you handed in all required items).
  • Quality (perceived time to complete, with subjective look and feel of the project)
  • Documentation

Recommended Software Tools

• Modeling and Animation: Blender, POVRAY, 3DSMAX, Maya, Art of Illusion
• Game Engines: Blender, OGRE, CrystalSpace3D
• Object modeling: Wings3D
• Video Editing/FX: MS Movie Maker, Virtual Dub, AVISYNTH, Jahshaka, Premiere
• Audio Editing: Goldwave, Audacity