Bachelor in Digital Arts: New Media and Concept Art

Boost your inner artist with the most advanced technology

Digital sculpting I

Description: 

The course proposes an introduction to 3D modeling through the ZBrush platform in order to obtain, by carrying out a series of exercises, the basic knowledge of the tools and permit the student to be able to create an anthropomorphic character and modeling digitally model by applying the previous knowledge acquired in the first course in subjects such as Drawing, Modeling and Anatomy. 

Type Subject
Tercer - Obligatoria
Semester
First
Course
2
Credits
3.00

Titular Professors

Previous Knowledge: 

Having completed Drawing, Sculpture, and Human Figure Anatomy in the first year.

Objectives: 

The course aims to introduce students to digital sculpting through ZBrush, familiarizing them with its interface, basic tools, and professional workflows. The curriculum focuses on anatomical construction through hyper?realistic busts and hands, integrating techniques such as Dynamesh, ZRemesher, and the use of alphas, layers, and posing. Students will develop stylized characters and their own projects, from concept to final render, gaining autonomy throughout the entire digital sculpting process.

Contents: 

Unit 1. Introduction to ZBrush.

Introduction to digital sculpting. Presentation of the ZBrush program environment (i) & (ii)

Primitive Shapes / Polymesh / Basic Masks & Brushes

Unit 2. Construction of an anatomical bust

Introduction to Dynamesh

Application of Dynamesh / Brush control / References / Basic cranial structure

Exercise 1: Modeling an anatomical bust combined with a freely chosen concept

Unit 3. Structure of a hand

Creation with Workflow – From design to Render

Use of ZRemesher / Application of Alphas / Layers / Posing / Decimation / Lightset in Blender

Exercise 2: Creation of a hyper-realistic hand with pose and render in Blender

Unit 4. Construction of a Toy character

Introduction to character modeling

Blocking in ZBrush / Clothing / Hair / UVs / HardSurface

Exercise 3: Creation of a Toy

Unit 5. Personal project.

Creation of an anthropomorphic character

Concepts / turn around / basic modeling / Delivery Portfolio

Exercise 5: Creation of a complete sculptural project

Methodology: 

The subject will work through different teaching methodologies. At the beginning of each unit there will be a master class where the teacher will introduce certain basic concepts and contextualize the student in the proces. From here, the student will have a series of audiovisual material and didactic activities based on the active methodologies with which he will acquire the knowledge of the different stylistic disciplines from the 3D software, Zbrush. From the beginning of the course the student will be presented with a personal project to develop throughout the course and to present as a practice at the end of the course. 

MD 0: Master Class. 

MD 1: Classes with problems and exercices 

MD 4: Seminar. 

MD 6: Project based learning. 

MD 8: Gamification 

MD 9: Peer Instruction. 

Evaluation: 

Assessment – Regular Call

Submission of Exercises 1–2–3: 50% (10%, 15%, and 25% respectively)

Minimum grade required to be included in the final average: > 4/10.

Presentation of the Personal Project: 40% (Unit 5)

Minimum grade required to be included in the final average: > 4/10.

Continuous Assessment: 10%

Based on the student’s engagement in class, submission of exercises, final dossier, and the instructor’s academic judgement.

Assessment – Extraordinary Call

In exceptional cases (accident, illness, etc.), students who do not pass the regular assessment have the possibility to pass the course in the extraordinary assessment call.

Evaluation Criteria: 

 These criteria apply to all assessment calls:

If exams, exercises, or assignments submitted by the student do not demonstrate correct written expression, grammar, and spelling, the maximum grade will be 4.

If the conditions required to pass the assessment are not met, the maximum grade will be 4.

Students have the right to request a review of their exam grade on the date set by the instructor. During the review, the student’s grade may be raised or lowered.

Basic Bibliography: 

VV.AA. Beginner's Guide to ZBrush. 3dtotal Publishing . 2017 ISBN: 978-1-909414-50-1

Additional Material: 

If necessary, additional bibliography or supplementary material will be provided for each unit.