Skip to main content
Unit outline_

DECO2018: 3D Modelling and Fabrication

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit teaches students an understanding of the basic concepts of modelling and prototyping 3D artefacts. Students will develop skills in creating and using 3D models for real-world and virtual environments. The unit further introduces students to rapid prototyping fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing and laser cutting with the aim to understand how to prepare a digital representation of artefacts (such as digital products or packaging) for physical fabrication. Students will learn how physical artefacts are represented in 3D digital models by modelling various 3D geometric entities, and how to create photorealistic representations that accurately and efficiently describe intent, structure, and geometric and surface variations of 3D models. Key concepts covered in this unit include: boundary representations, solid and parametric modelling, texture mapping, light sources, camera locations and projections.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
DECO1008
Assumed knowledge
? 

DECO1015

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Phillip Gough, phillip.gough@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Phillip Gough, phillip.gough@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Poster and Documentation
Process documentation, poster, and reflection on feedback.
25% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Nov 2024 at 23:59
20 pages maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Small continuous assessment In-class tasks
Design sprints
10% Multiple weeks 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Assignment Portfolio
Modules will have deliverables of 15% each, due Friday weeks 7, 10 and 13.
45% Multiple weeks 15 pages approx.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Presentation Week 3 critique
Presentation and critique of concepts with peers and tutors
10% Week 03 2-5-minute in-person critiques
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Presentation Poster pin-up Expo
In-person critique of your project by your peers and tutors.
10% Week 13 3 hours in week 13 class.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4

Assessment summary

Assessment is in 5 parts, and is designed to encourage students to develop material continuously over semester.

 

Weekly tasks are pre-work, and small weekly tasks from tutorials and lectures. 10x1% activities.

Week 3 Critique is an in-person activity, where students will give and receive feedback on their initial concepts from their peers and tutors. 10%

Portfolio consists of the work from each module, and is due the week after the modules are completed. 3x15% activities. 

Poster pin-up Expo in week 13 allows you to get initial feedback form your peers and tutors on the final poster rendering. 10% for participation and discussion of your work.

Poster and Documentation due in STUVAC will incorporate feedback from the week 13 expo into your final process documentation and poster design. 25% submitted work.

Assignment Weight Due Type
Weekly Tasks 10% total Multiple weeks Ongoing
Week 3 Critique 10% Week 3 class In-class activity

Portfolio

  • Module A
  • Module B
  • Module C
45% total (15% each)

Modules are completed in different order for separate tutorials.

First module due week 7

Second module due week 10

Final module due week 13

Submitted Assessment
Poster Pin-up Expo 10% Week 13 In-class activity

Final poster and documentation

  • Poster Design
  • Documentation
  • Reflection on feedback
25% 10th Nov. 23:59 Submitted Assessment

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Module A: 2D to 3D Modelling #1 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Module A: 2D to 3D Modelling #2 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Module A: 2D to 3D Modelling #3 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Module B: Solid Modelling #1 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Module B: Solid Modelling #2 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Module B: Solid Modelling #3 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Module C: 3D Rendering #1 Studio (3 hr) LO4
Module C: 3D Rendering #2 Studio (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Module C: 3D Rendering #3 Studio (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 01 Introduction, Concepts #1 Studio (3 hr) LO3
Week 02 Concepts #2 Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Critiques Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Critiques Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

It is mandatory to complete DMaF inductions for this class. Students will be automatically enrolled in some of the appropriate modules via canvas.

 

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate effective strategies for 3D modelling and fabrication of objects
  • LO2. Apply 3D modelling and fabrication techniques to achieve a creative outcome
  • LO3. Assess the aesthetic qualities of tangible devices and apply to a new design
  • LO4. Compose and render images for presentational impact and visual accuracy
  • LO5. Understand and communicate design decisions and the technical constraints of 3D modelling technologies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updates to the assessment better reflect where efforts are concentrated.

Additional costs

This unit of study has additional costs for fabricating designs.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.