Virtual Environments, ATEC 3365.

501
Course Information
Course Title:! ! Virtual Environments
Course Number:! ATEC 3365.501
Term:! ! ! Fall 2010
Time:! ! ! Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 9:45 PM

Contact Information
Instructor: ! ! Phill Johnson
E-mail: ! ! ! phill@student.utdallas.edu
Office hours:! ! by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions:

3D MODELING AND TEXTURING, ATEC 3317

Course Description
This course covers an array of topics involving virtual environments. Focus is placed on
developing skills using spacial relationships and environmental aesthetics. This class will create
spaces for real-time settings in projects throughout the semester. Techniques in texturing,
lighting, sound, and interactivity will be discussed.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

This course will exercise the studentʼs skills in using real-time gaming engines, including
lighting, texturing, modeling and basic interactivity. There will be weekly assignments in addition
to long-term projects. Critiques of work are dependent on student participation and involvement.

Required Texts and Materials

None.

Week 1, August 24
Introduction to key concepts, Unreal Development Kit, and basic geometry.

Week 2, August 31
Texturing for games, materials, color theory for virtual environments. Package and file
management. Preproduction for games and environments.

Week 3, September 7
Lighting, types of lights and setting the mood. World crafting for games.

Week 4, September 14
Static meshes, terrain, and geology. Building the outside world from the ground up.
Project 1 assigned.

Week 5, September 21
Atmosphere, post process effects and fog.

Week 6, September 28
Audio design, using audio to bring an environment to life.
Week 7, October 5
Procedural decorations, trash, foliage, etc.

Week 8, October 12
Project 1 work day, trouble shooting session.

Week 9, October 19
Project 1 presentations in class.

Week 10, October 26

Level flow, design, and player challenges. Project 2 Assigned.

Week 11, November 2

Particles: steam, smoke, fire, etc.

Week 12, November 9

Interactivity and responding to the player. Kismet scripting.

Week 13, November 16

Procedural effects revisited, procedural buildings, crowd simulations, portals, render to texture
effects. Architecture, civic planning.

Week 14, November 23

Project 2 work day, trouble shooting session.

Week 15, November 30

Project 2 presentations in class.

Grading
In-Class Assignments:! 15 pts.
Project Write-ups:! ! 10 pts.
Project 1:! ! ! 30 pts.
Project 2:! ! ! 35 pts.
Participation:! ! ! 10 pts.
Total:! ! ! ! 100 pts.

Class Policies
Late work will not be accepted without prior approval before the work is due. Contact the
teacher beforehand to receive approval. Students who miss more than three (3) classes are
encouraged to drop the course. No extra credit is available.

Please be courteous with use of cell phones and web browsing during class. Please do not work
on other courses during class. The class is expected to turn off monitors and give their peers
their full attention during presentations.

University Policies and Procedures may be reviewed at:

http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/syllabus-policies-and-procedures-text

These descriptions and time lines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Instructor.