Learn about the 3D Animation Lab

(last update date: September 16, 2007)

Please note: for all questions and issues not covered at this web site please contact the DMS Service Desk. You may contact them in the following ways:

in person at the DMS Service Desk on the Second Floor, just past the main elevators
by telephone, calling 742-2245
by email at

More information about the DMS Service Desk can be found later in this manual. Please see the Table of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Brief introduction to the 3D Animation Lab
Mission Statements of the TTU Libraries, the DMS and the 3D Animation Lab
Short Tour of the 3D Animation Lab
Our Hardware (Wacom tablet, Boot Picker)
Rules for the 3D Animation Lab
DMS Service Desk
Your First Visit to the 3D Animation Lab
Our Software and Tools
Product Information
Textures
Training (Tutorials and DVDs)
Models
Getting Started Guide to the 3D Animation Lab
Faculty Advisory Group
Where is 3D Animation Used?
3D Communities
3D Learning Resources
Teaching 3D, 3D Pedagogy
An Example: Stages in the Making of 3D Art

"The Masked Animator"

A brief introduction to the 3D Animation Lab

History

The concept for the 3D Animation Lab began in December 2006 as an extension of the Digital Media Studio (DMS).

Important dates
Debut of the 3D Animation Lab: May 30, 2007
Grand Opening of the 3D Animation Lab: September 4, 2007

Funded by the Coach Knight Library Fund and the Provost’s Office with HEAF Funds

Mission Statement of Texas Tech University Libraries

Through individualized service, the Texas Tech University Libraries connect users with resources that advance intellectual inquiry and discovery.

Mission Statement of the DMS (Digital Media Studio)

The Library Digital Media Studio (DMS) is a centrally located, specialized resource center that broadly supports the Texas Tech Mission by providing Library patrons with extended-hours access to a strategic blend of customer-driven emerging technologies established and maintained through progressive collaboration with campus instructional and research units.

Mission Statement of the 3D Animation Lab

The 3D Animation Lab is a learning and resource center for 3D art, animation, graphics, modeling and rendering. It places a wealth of educational offerings into an environment which encourages collaborative learning, individual study, creativity and research. The Lab reaches to all sides of the Texas Tech University campus and provides a center where imagination and inquiry work together.

A short tour: What you will find in the 3D Animation Lab

This Lab is a learning center for all aspects of 3D and for all levels of users. At the 3D Animation Lab you will find the most widely used 3D software for modeling, rendering and animation. The Lab also includes an array of tools that are helpful when modeling. We have a collection of training tutorials covering the tools in the lab. To get you started in using the software we have purchased a number of computer models in various formats, textures in a large range of materials, animated backgrounds and other add-ins. The Lab will feature Short Courses from time to time on various apsects of the software. Overview short courses are intended to get the user started with the offerings of the Lab.

You will find everything you need to get started in the 3D Animation Lab. You may still want to bring along your own additional files (models, textures, background, animation clips, etc.) to use with the Lab programs. Each program allows the use to add in additional files for your work, but the rules for doing so vary somewhat among programs. Lab staff will be able to assist you when you run into problems doing this. Before you purchase your own models to use with the Lab programs, be sure to consult with us to be sure they will be compatible. The world of 3D has many different file formats. In many cases you can import a variety of formats, but importing alone does not guarantee they will work properly in all software. Bringing your own files on CD or DVD will you get them loaded easily.

The 3D Animation Lab is a shared environment. You need to take steps to copy your work. Some of your projects will take time to finish, and these should be copied to your own portable media: thumb drives, CDs or DVDs (including rewritable CDs and DVDs). You can also use your TechDrive to keep your projects. See http://www.depts.ttu.edu/helpcentral/directions/techdrive.php for more information on using TechDrive.

Our service is new and this means that you can help shape how the 3D Animation Lab works by providing your feedback. You may be handed a survey form when you enter the Lab. Please take some time to complete the form.

Location

Texas Tech University Main Library Building, Room 205

Hours of Operation

            Same as Main Library Building.
            Consult Library Schedule for a detailed schedule
            The 3D Animation Lab in the Library is a open facility for all patrons with an eRaider account.

A picture of the 3D Animation Lab on the Second Floor, Room 205

Another view of the 3D Animation Lab on the Second Floor, Room 205

Our hardware (Wacom tablet, Boot Picker)

The Library 3D Animation Lab has 8 user work stations and one additional workstation in the podium (for when the Lab is used as a classroom). All workstations are Intel Macintosh computers and are equipped as described below. These systems can boot either Windows or the Macintosh OSX operating system. Click here for detailed information on how to boot into Windows or the Macintosh OSX system.

Mac Pro, dual 3 GHz processors each having 2 cores
4 GB RAM (installed memory); two disk drives: 250 GB and 500 GB
High quality, high end graphics cards that support very high defintion output (better than HD movies)
30” high resolution Apple monitor
Wacom Ituos3 9"x12'' pressure-senstive drawing tablet (Grip Pen and 5-button Mouse)
- To learn about using a Wacom pressure-sensitive drawing table refer to the following link
- http://www.wacom.com/productsupport/manual/I3_UsersManual.pdf
- A Wacom manual is also provided on the Lab workstations
- For Windows go to C:\Program Files\Tablet\User's Manual.pdf
- For the Macinstosh OSX system look in Finder | Applications | Tablet | User's Manual.pdf
- A drawing tablet uses a pressure sensitive surface and a Wacom pen to allow you to draw freehand on the tablet surface. As you move the pen, your work shows up on the computer monitor, not on the drawing tablet itself. Depending on the software you are using, you can use the pen like charcoal, a paintbrush, an eraser, or even a marker to do sketches, line drawings or just plain handwriting (your handwriting, that is). If you have not worked with an Ituos3 tablet before, we recommend that you spend some time with the manual getting acquainted with the features. The tablet responds not only to motion, but also to pressure and speed, and the angle of the pen. These combinations allow you to get many of the same effects as a artist's fine brush or other drawing implement. To become an expert at the features, you should do some practice.
Boot Picker is used to allow switching between Windows XP and the Max OSX operating systems. When the machine restarts it dislays a graphic for the Windows XP operating system with a list of available programs and a graphic for the Mac OSX operating system with a list of available programs. The user can click on the graphic for the operating system that will run the needed application. One you click on the graphic the login screen for the system comes up.

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The above image was created entirely in 3D software.

Rules for the 3D Animation Lab

Who can use the 3D Animation Lab?

The 3D Animation Lab is open to all users with an eRaider account.

1. Software piracy is a crime. Do not violate the law. Software here refers to all programs on workstation in the 3D Animation Lab, all models, all textures, all presets and all tutorials. Software is available for your use while working in the 3D Animation Lab. It is not available for your copying. Copying software is illegal and a violation of United States Copyright Law. Violation of Copyright Law places you in jeopardy for legal action, disciplinary action, and revocation of all 3D Animation Lab access rights.

2. Copying of data, programs or tutorials is a also technical violation and will result in immediate suspension of all access privileges. Moreover, students may face disciplinary action. In some cases legal action may be taken against the user who violates Lab copying rules and policies. If a user is found to be copying software (programs, models, textures, tutorials, presets), that use will forfeit all future access to the 3D Animation Lab. We will not reinstate you account.

3. NO FOOD and NO BEVERAGES in the 3D Animation Lab. No exceptions. Failure to follow this rule results in dismissal from the Lab. This policy is distinct from other areas of the Library. Strict adherence to this policy is required by all users. Unfortunately, users who fail to comply with this will forfeit privileges.

4. Reservations which cannot be kept need to be cancelled. Repeated failure to show for a workstation reservation will result in forfeiture of your reservation privileges.

5. Not a Quiet Study Area: Conversation is encouraged and expected. Group Use is encouraged. Unlike some areas of the Library, the 3D Animation Lab is designed for Group Study and conversation. Individuals are welcome here as are groups. This is not a Quiet Area and work in this area means that you respect the rights of others to hold conversations and discuss their work in groups.

6. Reserving a workstation in the 3D Animation Lab. The DMS Service Desk can be used (tel. 742-2245) to reserve a workstation in the 3D Animation Lab. The entire lab can be reserved for a single class taught by a faculty member. Reservation of the entire Lab can be done for a single day and not on a repeated basis, unless you contact the 3D Animation Lab Administrator.

7. Who can reserve workstations? Anyone with an eRaider account is welcome at the 3D Animation Lab. If you are not a student or staff/faculty member of the Texas Tech University community, you may apply for an individual eRaider account at the Circulation Desk in the Library. The staff in the Circulation Department can help you apply for an account, and will explain what privileges are available to eRaider users.

The DMS Service Desk

What services are found at the DMS Service Desk?

Reserve a computer workstation in the 3D Animation Lab
Check out headphones/microphone for use in the 3D Animation Lab. You must have a reservation for a workstation in the 3D Animation Lab in order to do so
Check out a Wacom drawing table for use in the 3D Animation Lab
Obtain help with getting starting on a workstation
General help for Library computer related questions
Obtain help in talking to an expert in one of our applications
Access DMS REFERENCE collection books
Check out videos

How to find Help with your questions

You have a variety of resources to help when you have questions:

The 3D Animation Lab web site is a good source for answers to many of your questions.
The DMS Service Desk on the 2nd Floor is another place to turn when you cannot find the answers you need.
Manuals for the software are available at the DMS Service Desk, and in general each application has a Help File which will give you detailed information.
In the Fall of 2007 we will be adding books on 3D to the DMS Reserve Collection.
DMS tutorials DVDs may also contain answers to your questions. These can be checked out at the DMS Service Desk.
Consider enrolling in a Short Course at the 3D Animation Lab for a general orientation to the services and for specific information on various tools

To report a problem

Please report all problems directly to the 2nd Floor DMS Service Desk.
Problems you may report can include:

Problem with a workstation reservation
Hardware, software problems
General questions on logging in using your eRaider account
How to find tutorials, tools, models, textures, presets

Your First Visit to the 3D Animation Lab at Texas Tech University Libraries

You have been browsing the 3D Animation Lab web site and have become familiar with what our services are. You are curious and it’s time for you to come for a visit.

Let me take you on your first visit to the 3D Animation Lab at the main Library building. You are going to need your eRaider ID. If you are not a Tech student, you are still welcome and you can obtain an eRaider ID at the Circulation Desk. Just walk up to the Circulation Desk and tell them you need an eRaider ID. You should present a Driver’s License. Staff at the Circulation Desk will issue you an eRaider ID good for 30 days. You can renew your eRaider ID after 30 days.

You know that the Library is across from the Student Union Building on the 3D Animation Lab is on the second floor of the Library. You’ve walked into the Library, and you are going past the fountains inside and heading to the elevators. When you get out at the second floor, go straight to the DMS Service Desk and tell them you have come to use the 3D Animation Lab. Staff will ask you for an ID. You can check out a Wacom Pen and Wacom Mouse at the DMS Service Desk. You are now ready to go into the Lab and start exploring. For your first visit let a DMS staff member lead you into the Lab…

I am going to imagine in this virtual visit that you are a Windows user, so this discussion will follow what a Windows user would see…

Be sure that Windows XP is running and press CONTROL-ALT-DELETE to log in using your eRaider ID. The main programs you will be interested in are found under Start | Programs | 3D Animation Lab. For this first visit we’ll use trueSpace software. Select trueSpace from the listing of 3D Animation Lab programs. You are ready to start learning.

How should you start? What do you do first?

As a new user you will want to go to some of the beginner tutorials for trueSpace and follow along. On your Desktop there is an icon for Tutorials, which you can click on. Under the list of folders double-click on trueSpace and open the folder Getting Started with trueSpace ver. 7. In that grouping you’ll find the folder 01A_Quick Tour. In that folder click on 01A_QuickTour.html. This will start the tutorial. Watch and work along. Stop the tutorial and try out the steps yourself. Repeat any parts that are unclear. Ask DMS staff for help if any part of running the tutorial is not working. From this tutorial keep moving on and exploring the next topic.

What software and tools do the workstations have?

List of 3D Animation software

We have over a dozen 3D applications which allow you to do modeling, rendering and animation. Other software tools help you work with these applications.

View the list of software in the 3D Animation Lab.

View general product information.

Textures, Materials, Presets

Textures, materials and presets are available only from the 3D Animation Lab workstations. To access these items click on the 3D Textures icon on the workstation. A listing of what is available can be found by following the link directly below.

Click here to view a list of Textures, Materials, Presets

Training (Tutorials and DVDs)

Training matererials at the 3D Animation Lab are of the following types:

Getting Started Guides. These are found on the rack inside the 3D Animation Lab. We currently have the following guides available: New User Guide, Using Models and Using Training. Additional guides are planned and will be released during the Fall semster.

Online tutorials (available only from 3D Animation Lab workstations)
Click on the Tutorials icon on the monitor to see a directory listing
Built-in training/tutorials available from the installed software
Each package will have a Help file that desribes available tutorials

DMS REFRENCE Collection of Books. About 50 titles on 2-hour loan and located behind the DMS Service Desk. A list of titles currently received with call numbers is at the DMS Servcie Desk. These materials supplement the online tutorials and the built-in training in the programs and cover topics not included in the DMS REFENCE Collection of DVDs.

DMS REFEREMCE Collection of DVDs which can be checked out at the DMS Service Desk and are on DMS 2-hour Reserve for all users

We have approximately 200 DVDs on a wide range of 3D products and tools, artists, styles and methods. Click on the link below to see a short listing of the titles. These were received during the month of May and are being cataloged for your use. They will appear in our online catalog. A brief listing of all titles will also be available on this web site. Prior to being cataloged, they can still be checked out at the DMS Service Desk. Please inquire at the DMS Service Desk about these titles.

View the list of training materials for the 3D Animation Lab.

Models

Our computer models are available on the 3D Animation Lab workstations and not available elsewhere. Many types of models can be coverted from one type to another, so that you may find you can use these models in most applications. (When a model is created in one product and loaded into another product, it may load but not display fully.) Free models are also available at many web sites. One good source of free models is http://www.renderosity.com.

To access models from the 3D Animation Lab, please click on the the 3D models icon. You will find the following collections of models.

trueSpace models (can be read by a variety software)

Marlin Studios models (various formats)
Suburban Buildings
City Buildings
Home and Office Furniture

Cornucopia 3D models (planned for Fall 2007)

Content Paradise models (planned for Fall 2007)

DAZ Productions models (planned for Fall 2007)

Renderosity free models (planned for Fall 2007)

Getting started guide to the 3D Animation Lab

Can I learn 3D Animation on my own?

Texas Tech University Libraries have purchased an extensive collection of video tutorials (about 200 such courses) covering all aspects of modeling, rendering and animation. A partial list of areas covered by these tutorials includes the following

Specific tutorials for each of the major 3D software packages we have
Tutorials for the tools used in the 3D Animation Lab
General tutorials on drawing characters and figures
Animation lessons covering all aspects (story design, storyboarding, key framing)
Areas of game programming
Texturing
Rendering

These courses can help you to learn on your own. Deciding how to begin can be challenging. You can set up an appointment with staff to help you get started. If you are new to this area, we often recommend that you start with the software trueSpace which has an excellent interface and well-designed tutorials. These tutorials can walk you through the major approaches and techniques available. They are particularly good at teaching concepts which can apply to other 3D software. Personal study of trueSpace along with Poser and Vue Infinite will give you a wide background in 3D Animation. Consider taking some of the short courses offered. These are designed to get you started quickly.

Short courses taught by the Library staff

Courses are in the planning stages. More information will be released as we develop materials.

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Faculty Advisory Group

Goals

Foster cooperation between University Departments and the Library in all aspects of 3D Animation.
Become a two-way means of conversation between the Library and campus.
Publicize the 3D Animation Lab.
Bring innovation to campus through the 3D Animation Lab.

Membership

Name	Department	eMail

Beixin Ni	Law School Library	beixin.ni@ttu.edu
Shawn Bible	Theater & Dance	(on campus this fall)
Cherif Amor	Department of Design	cherif.amor@ttu.edu
Rich Rice	Department of English	rich.rice@ttu.edu
Scott Baugh	Department of English	scott.baugh@ttu.edu
Stacy Elko	Department of Art	s.elko@ttu.edu
Frank Tierney	Department of Art	frank.tierney@ttu.edu
Rhonda Boros	Health, Exercise & Sport Sciences	rl.boros@ttu.edu

Student Art Exhibits and Staff Art Exhibits

Over time the 3D Animation Lab will conduct exhibits of work done at the Lab. Participation in exhibits is entirely voluntary but welcome. Watch for announcement about student and staff Art Exhibits.

What is 3D Animation?

In 3D Animation the user controls everything on the screen while interacting with a program that carries out the choices made. For example, if you have a vehicle in your scene, you control the lighting on the vehicle, how fast it moves, and in what direction. You are responsible for everything in the scene. Most 3D software lets you bring in real world video clips and objects so that you can add significant realism to your scene. Your background could be a city scene in a video, and using the example of the vehicle, as the vehicle travels by, the background changes in the video as your vehicle moves. Since you control the lighting, you can affect the way it bounces off or reflects off the vehicle. You can easily incorporate digital images from others sources to give further realism to your work. Realism is by no means required. Your imagination alone sets the pace for what is possible and the software responds to your choices.

In learning 3D users often begin with modeling and rendering, that is creating objects for use in scenes and projects and controlling the way those objects are displayed. Rendering puts together shadows and lights, colors and reflections, positions of objects and gives you a finished result. The model can be architectural (a house or building), a character (an animal or a person), trees, mountains, or anything in the familiar world. When you become proficient in the familiar world you can venture out into your imagination: if you can dream it, you can build it in a computer model.

Where is 3D Animation used?

Click here to learn about the 3D Presence.

Departments on campus teaching 3D courses

This feature is being planned.

3D Communities

For information on 3D communities Click Here.

3D Learning Resources

For information on 3D Learning Resources Click Here.

Teaching 3D, 3D Pedagogy

We are interested in building an archive of information on teaching 3D and would like to hear from others who have materials to share. The scope is general topics, not so much a specific product or version of software. We are interested in materials at all levels from beginner to advanced. Please contact jim.brewer@ttu.edu if you have contributions in this area you are willing to share at this web site.

External Web Resources

trueSpace
http://www.caligari.com

Vue Infinite
http://www.e-onsoftware.com

Maya, 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, VIZ
http://www.autodesk.com

DAZ Productions, Eovia products (Hexagon, Carrara, DAZ Studio)
http://www.daz3d.com

Virtual Fashion Designer
http://www.virtual-fashion.com/html/en/index.php

Poser, Anime Studio, Manga Studio
http://www.e-frontier.com

Google Sketchup
http://sketchup.google.com/

Online stores for models, textures

                        http://www.daz3d.com
                        http://www.cornucopia3d.com
                        http://www.contentparadise.com

As you become more proficient in working with 3D models you will discover that there many sites with models for sale.

User forums