Art Department - Spring 2026 - Digital Art - Ronaldo Kiel
ARTD 2823 - Digital Clay - 3D Sculpting and Modeling
Code: 18804 Section: TQ8L - T 08:55-12:40PM 5102 BH - Jan 26 to May 19, 2026
Course Description Class Projects Schedule Important Dates Contact Index
| Class | Date | Lecture and/or Discussion Topics | In-Class Activities | Assignments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01/27 | Syllabus and Bright Space class site. |
Work on Project 1 Demonstration: Project set up - Software Interface - References Sculpting exercises |
Research Character Concept Sheets. Reading: Mastering 3D Asset Creation Sculpting practice: at least 6 hours. |
| 2 | 02/03 | The Sculpting Process |
Sculpting exercise: From base model to final sculpt. - Individual and group discussion of project 1 - Project 1 class presentation |
Upload one art board with at least front facing, back facing, side view, and a color study. You can also include action poses, facial tweaks, and other gear. |
| 3 | 02/10 | Work on Project 2 Turntable |
Work on Project 2: |
|
4 |
02/24 | Modeling and 3D scanning |
Set your Maya file. - Project 2 class presentation |
Project 3 videos. Podcast: |
| 5 | 03/03 | The Mesh and its functionality | Project 3: Retopologize |
Project 3 videos. Project 3: Work on the re-topology of your asset. |
| 6 | 03/10 | (PBR) Models - Physically Based Rendering | Project 3: Finish the optimized mesh. Model all extra parts of the asset. Edge Loops and modeling for deformation exercise. |
Work on Project 3 Readings: PBR |
| 7 | 03/17 | The Pipeline | Project 3: UV layout. Project 3: Vertex Color |
Work on UVs |
| 8 | 03/24 | Displacement or Hight | Build your scene in Maya with the shader and textures |
Watch the Adobe 3D videos: Learn Substance 3D Painter Upload to Bright Space the turntable animation from Maya. |
| 9 | 03/31 | Styles and Technical Solutions | Project 4: Displacement Maps Individual Presentation of project 3 |
Practice: 3D Layer Painting in Substance Painter. |
| 10 | 04/14 | Baking Maps Smart Materials |
Work on Project 4: Prepare FBX files for Substance work |
Map Baking Adobe |
| 11 | 04/28 | HDRI Maps (high dynamic range image map) Image-based Lighting |
Project 4: Baking |
Adjust the properties of your shaders. Create Substance Painter Renderings |
| 12 | 05/05 | The use of USD Universal Scene Description openusd.org |
Project 4: Build your scene in Maya with the shader and textures. Lights & Camera |
Create at least 5 single frame renderings of your character in Arnold. |
| 13 | 05/12 | CGI Staging |
Project 4: Explore the lights, background and camera possibilities. | Upload to the Bright Space site all single frame renderings. |
| 14 | 05/19 | Turntable of the final Asset | Project 4: In class presentation of draft versions of Project 4. | Finish all projects and upload |
The four class projects should be uploaded by 11:59PM on 05/19 |
||||
| Final | 05/20 | Online session to be schedule. | ||
Class 1
Introduction:
Character Development and Animation - Overview
Technical Aspects 3D characters
Overview: Modeling,Texture Mapping, Rigging, Animation, Rendering
Demonstration: Project set up, Mud Box Interface
Starting a project - Concept Sheet (please look at some examples)
The concept art should include
front, back, side, and maybe a few action poses of the character, also facial tweaks, colors and gear.
Image Planes in Mud Box
Polygon modeling workflow versus sculpting and retopologize.
Assignment: Sculpting practice: at least 4 hours.
Sample: CCNY door sculpture
This is a simplifyed scketch of one of the sculpture on City College's Shepard Hall.
Look at the Autodesk site. The on-line tutorials will help you to update your knowledge of the software functionality.
Class 2
Discussion: The Sculpting Process
Demonstration: Mud Box Modeling Techniques
Dynamically Tessellate
Create as many 3D sketches as possible During class.
Assignment: Work on Project #1 (portrait).
Class 3
Discussion: Concept Art
Project 1 Presentation
Demonstration: Other parts of the Asset
Assignment: Upload one art board with at least front facing, back facing, side view, and a color study in Photoshop. You can also include action poses, facial tweaks, and other gear.
Class 4
Modeling and 3D scanning
https://eisko.com/ - Photoreal Digital Doubles
Discussion: Sculpting Layers - Mud Box
Demonstration: Quick Time from Mud Box
Projecting your reference images
Assignment: Upload to Bright Space the turntable animation from Mud Box.
Class 5
Discussion: The Mesh and its functionality (Game or Animation)
Quads (avoid n-gones and triangles)
Poles (how, where and when)
Demonstration: Back in Maya
Individual Presentation of project 2
Assignment: Readings
PBR
Physically Based Rendering and Lighting
Class 6
Discussion: Facial Performance Considerations
Demonstration: Quad Draw exercise.
Assignment: Project 3 - Retopologize
Class 7
Discussion: The Pipeline
Demonstration: Retopologize and UV maps
Assignment: Watch the Adobe 3D videos: Learn Substance 3D Painter
Class 8
Discussion: Style and Technical Solutions
Demonstration: Vertex Color and turntable from Maya
Individual discussion with students about project #3.
Assignment: Upload the turntable from Maya
Discussion: (PBR) Models - Physically Based Rendering
Demonstration: Project 4 - Increase the mesh density and add detail in Mud Box
Individual Presentation of project 3
Assignment: PBR Guide (Reading)
Class 10
Discussion: Baking Maps - Substance
Demonstration: Displacement in Mud Box - Map extraction in Mud Box
Class 11
Discussion: HDRI Maps (high dynamic range image map)
Image-based Lighting
Demonstration: Project 4 - Baking
Substance Painter
Geometry maps
Assignment: Create Substance Painter Renderings
Class 12
Discussion: CGI Staging
Demonstration:Build you scene in Maya with the shader and textures.
Lights & Camera
Assignment: Create at least 5 single frame renderings of your Asset in Arnold.
Class 13
Discussion: The output: 3D print, Animation or Game
Demonstration: Explore the lights, background and camera possibilities.
Assignment: Finish your Asset
Class 14
Final rendering of all your projects.
All Final renderings need to be uploaded to by December 16th.
May 19th - Uploads until 11:59PM
May 20 - Review of the class work online