VizProto (3D Visualization and Rapid Prototyping)

Arizona State University
Spring Semester, 2006

Instructors:  Dan Collins, assisted by Eric McMaster. Technical support by Alan Simmons.
Course numbers:  ART 345 #42528 and ART 598 #08071 (Herberger College of Fine Arts)
Class meetings:
T/Th 1:40 - 4:30
Location: 
PRISM Lab, Brickyard (7th St. and Mill Avenue, Tempe) 3rd Floor, Room 361, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-8609
Credits: 
3 hours
Offices / Phones:
Collins:  TWRA105B (5-8311) and Brickyard 360
Office Hours: 
Collins: by appt. 
e-mail addresses:  Collins: dan.collins@asu.edu; McMaster: R.McMaster@asu.edu; Simmons: alan.simmons@asu.edu
Webpage:  Web page for this class including this page can be found at http://vizproto.prism.asu.edu/classes/sp06/vizprotoS_06syllabus.html

PRISM admin. coord.:  Patricia Cederberg. M - F, 9 - 5 pm. Ph: 5-0483. e-mail:
patricia.cederberg@asu.edu
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Description

This studio / seminar will introduce the concepts of computer visualization, modeling, and rapid prototyping in an interdisciplinary manner. Students will be challenged to model and prototype objects of their own design using 3D computer modeling techniques and rapid prototyping. Theoretical and historical lecture/discussion will be supplemented with visiting artists/engineers/scholars and field trips.

Objectives of the course

1. Introduction to data acquisition, computer visualization/modeling, and form realization techniques;

2. Introduction of the history and theory of modeling and prototyping to provide a context--and possible alternative--to current practice;

3. Experience in working as part of a collaborative team comprised of artists/scientists;

4. Overview of current research done in Industry (both in the arts and sciences) employing data acquisition techniques of various kinds, visualization, 3D modeling and/or rapid prototyping.

Prerequisites (Minimum requirements): 

Interest in 3D, general computer experience, and willingness to learn. A commitment to the course. Background in computerized 3D solid modeling helpful.

Text(s)

required:

--Digital Design Media (DDM in Calendar) by William J. Mitchell, Malcolm McCullough (Contributor). Paperback 2nd edition (December 1997) John Wiley & Sons; ISBN: 0471286664. The book will be available in the RESERVE section of the Hayden Library it is recommended that you purchase a copy (used) online. Used copies can be found on Amazon.com for as low as $35. New is $65.

For the complete TEXT of Digital Design Media in .pdf format for free, right click here and "save target as..."  (No images)

Other recommended texts:

--Abstracting Craft by Malcolm McCullough, 1998, ISBN 0-262-63189-X, $17.50 (paper). Available in hard copy through the through the MIT Press website (click on title above). See also electronic version available via ASU library at http://www.netlibrary.com/ (do title search for "Abstracting Craft").

--Digital Ground by Malcolm McCullough, 2005. (paper).

--Computer-Aided Manufacture in Architecture by Nick Callicott, 2001. ISBN 0-7506-4647-0, Used $42.70 through Amazon. Architectural Press

--2D Artwork and 3D Modeling for Game Artists by David Franson, 2003. Publication: Rocklin, Calif. See also electronic version available via ASU library at http://www.netlibrary.com/ (do title search for "2D Artwork").

Other photocopied texts and URLs provided by the instructors.

Grading

Grades will be based on a combination of factors: success in working as part of an interdisciplinary team; quality/quantity of objects produced; demonstration of competence with "benchmark" technical projects; participation in class discussion; completeness and clarity of personal class website; final project.

Breakdown of grade is as follows:

Attendance is critical as we will be moving through a lot of material very quickly. The course is considered a full studio art class and as such requires six contact hours per week. The week will be basically split into two parts (this subject to change due to schedule of instructors): Tuesday's class will be conducted as a "lecture" day; Thursday's will be an "open lab". Please contact Dan Collins ahead of time if you cannot attend.

Topics (tentative)

Critical / theoretical / historical issues from the arts /design /engineering fields will be introduced.  Examples of interdisiplinary issues of relevance to both artists and scientists:  the problem of the copy versus the original; scanned information derived from real-world objects vs. synthetically generated objects; fine art objectives with engineering tools--engineering objectives with "fine art" attitudes; reverse engineering; static vs. dynamic 3D modeling; morphing of conventional material for various purposes such as exploration of vantage point; form/fit analysis; critique of current industrial design objects; architectural prototypes with CNC milling (in concert with CAED staff); hi-tech molding and foundry techniques; practical topics related to engineering/computer science; animation / motion-capture. Current projects from the PRISM lab will be shared.

Synopsis of Key Dates

Jan. 16

Martin Luther King Day (No ASU classes)

Jan. 17

First day of classes. Introductions. Expectations of the class.

Feb. 7

Submission of personal semester project outline.

Feb. 16

1st Team Investigation:  Web presentation on Data Capture techniques

Mar. 2

Progress review for personal semester project.

Mar. 9

2nd Team Investigation:  Web presentation on Visualization/Modeling techniques

Mar. 13 - 17

Spring Break

Mar. 31 Last day to withdraw from course (in person)

April 6

3rd Team Investigation:  Web presentation on Form Realization techniques

April 25 - 27

Individual project critiques

May 2

Last Day of Class. Student Exhibition and Public Reception (this in lieu of Final Exam)

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Calendar (tentative):

While the course follows a logical sequence, the order of readings and activities will be determined in part by events, the character of in-class discussion, and the availability of guest speakers / lab access.  We reserve the right to change the activities outlined below to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

January  
17 First day of class.  Introductions.  Discussion of individual versus team approach. [DDM: chapters 1 - 5]. Intro to HTML; Creation of individual webpages based on templates (Collins).
19 Overview of the PRISM concept and the lab. [DDM: chapters 6 - 9]; Face Scanning; 3D laser scanning (Collins, McMaster, Simmons)
24 3D Laser Scanning/Data Capture lecture. (Collins) 3D Laser Scanning Demo, BRICKYARD (McMaster).
26 3D Geometric modeling. Part II. (GF). 3D laser scanning of personal objects. Raindrop Geomagic tutorials.
31 Intro to 3D Geometric Modeling, Part III (GF); Preparing 3D files for rapid prototyping (Collins); 3D Laser Scanning/Data Capture, Brickyard, con'd (EM / DC)
February
2 3D Microscopic data capture.  Scanning probe and Confocal microscopy: Keck Bioimaging Laboratory Field Trip.
7 Brainstorm session and team assignment for 3D Data acquisition team investigation. Submission of personal project outline. On going 3D data capture and rapid prototyping.
9 Open Lab. On going 3D data capture and rapid prototyping.
14 Open Lab.
16 Team Investigations:  Web presentation on Data Acquisition techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be submitted concurrently-- HTML ready)
21 Open Lab. On going 3D data capture and rapid prototyping.
23 Visualization and modeling: Visualizing 3D--history/theory (DLC)
28  Team assignments for paper/project presentation on Visualization/Modeling techniques. Team assignment workday. Visualization and modeling: 3D modeling and rendering (AR) [DDM: Chaps. 10 - 11]; 3D solid modeling software demos (SVN).
March
2 Progress report on personal project. Open Lab / Team assignment workday.
7 3D Illusions and Effects--history/theory (DLC). Open Studio / Team assignment workday.
9 Team Investigation:  Web presentation on Visualization/Modeling techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be submitted concurently)
13 - 17 Spring break (No Class)
21 Form Realization: In class: Overview of automated manufacturing. Mack Industries, DTM video and others; Demos of JP5 fused deposition modeling. CNC milling at IMEL lab and/or CAED; Team assignments for paper/project presentation on Form Realization/3D output. [DDM: Chapter 18]
23 Form Realization (con'd):  Field trip to PADT for overview of SLA, SLS, FDM [DDM:Chapters 15 - 17]
28 Open Lab
30 Open Lab
31 Last Day to withdraw from class (in person) 
April  
4 Open Lab
6 Team Investigation:  Paper/project presentation on Form Realization techniques (min. 3 page synopsis with visual examples and references to be submitted concurently. [DDM: Chapters 12 - 14]
11 Open Lab
13 Planning for VizProto exhibition (to run May 3 - May 13); Open Lab; [DDM: Chapters 19 - 20]
18 Open Lab
20 Open Lab
25 Individual project critiques. Final presentation (via HTML) of semester project (20 minutes each).
27 Individual project critiques, con'd. Final presentation (via HTML) of semester project (20 minutes each).
May  
2 Last Day of Class. Public Exhibition Opening. (No written exam).


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