ILLUS-3320

DIGITAL 3D FOR ILLUSTRATORS

Faculty: Nicholas Jainschigg

Course Level: Junior, Senior, 5th Year

3 CREDITS

COMPUTER LITERACY REQUIREMENT: This course fulfills the computer literacy requirement for Illustration majors.

This course serves as an introduction to the ways 3D imagery can be used by illustrators, both directly and indirectly. Using the software Blender (open source) and Zbrush, we will examine the ways to create and use forms and textures both realistic and imaginary to produce images and solve problems common to many forms of illustration, both digital and traditional. Animation will be covered, but only in the most limited sense: such as for looping animated GIFs and for the creation of simulated physical effects.

While 3D is commonly thought of in terms of creating realistic environments and characters, it has many more uses. It is frequently used in the production of both still and motion graphics, as well as in the preparation of reference work for more traditional media. This course will treat 3D as a medium with its own strengths and weaknesses, and as a tool in conjunction with traditional media.

Blender, the popular and powerful open-source program, is rapidly gaining acceptance across a wide range of animation and design businesses. ZBrush has become an industry standard due to its ability to let artists use their sculpting skills directly in a 3D environment. Together, they provide the artist with powerful tools for creating detailed and complex 3D illustrations with great speed. No experience with 3D is required, but due to the complexity of the software and of the concepts covered, a familiarity with computers and with 2D computer graphics is recommended.