2025-09-08 3D Modelling Lecture

Meeting summary

Quick recap

The meeting focused on organizing a 3D modeling class, including group formations, presentation schedules, and visualization activities. Technical aspects of the course were discussed, such as software usage, grading criteria, and the importance of profile pictures in the online classroom. The class addressed scheduling conflicts and course registration issues, with discussions about potentially moving the class to Saturday to accommodate various student needs.

Next steps

• All students: Create a profile picture for their Zoom accounts

• All students: Create a Mural Board account so their names appear during discussions

• All students: Join the mural board for the class activity

• All students: Post their favorite architectural visualization image on the Mural board with their name

• All students: Prepare for group selection for upcoming presentations

• All students: Form groups for presentations

• All students: Create a specific 3D Modeling WhatsApp group

• All students: Review Alex Toll's visualization work as reference material

• All students: Participate in class activities as they are graded

• All students: Analyze the correlation between the diagrams shown by Brian

• All students: Review the first topic that will be revealed during the class

Summary

3D Modeling Class Group Formation

The meeting focused on discussing presentations and group formation for a 3D modeling class. Brian explained that students need to be present to choose their groups and mentioned the creation of a class WhatsApp group. He introduced a visualization activity using a Mural Board and shared examples of visualizations by Alex Tolley, emphasizing the correlation between different diagrams. The session encountered some technical difficulties with audio, which Brian attempted to resolve.

Architectural Visualization Techniques Overview

Brian discussed architectural visualization techniques, focusing on a particular diagram that uses color coding to distinguish between different elements of a building. He shared his favorite architectural visualization image and encouraged students to post their most influential visualization image on the class mural board. Brian reminded students about the importance of profile pictures and camera usage in the online classroom.

Class Presentation and Participation Guidelines

The class discussed the structure of upcoming presentations, where a new topic will be revealed every two weeks. Brian emphasized that class participation is graded and reminded students to create accounts on the Mirror Board for better identification during discussions. The class engaged in an activity where students were tasked with finding and submitting their most inspirational 3D-rendered image, which must be computer-generated and not a photograph. Brian encouraged students to participate in the activity to earn class participation points.

Photography Class Group Project Discussion

The instructor, Brian, led a class discussion on photography and image creation techniques, including hybrid images and photorealistic effects. He encouraged students to save their inspirational images for future use and emphasized the importance of profile pictures on Zoom for identification. The main focus of the class was to form groups for an upcoming project, with each group consisting of three members. Brian explained that there are ten topics to choose from, and all students must select a topic. The class will use Mirror Board to organize the groups, and Brian noted that there are 25 students present, though the total class size is expected to be around 30.

Student Group Topic Selection Activity

The instructor led a group activity where students were assigned to different topics based on icons, with each group consisting of three students. Students were tasked with selecting their preferred topics, and the instructor provided hints about the topics' contents. After the group assignments were completed, the instructor addressed a technical issue that caused some students to be logged out of the platform, and he provided his contact information for students to reach him via email or WhatsApp. The instructor also reminded students about an ongoing class activity involving submitting a favorite visualization image on the Mirror board platform.

Presentation Assignment and Grading Criteria

Brian explained the presentation assignment structure, where every 2 weeks, two groups will present for 20 minutes each, with 8 groups spectating and asking questions. He outlined that 15% of the grade will be for the presentation itself and 5% for the quality of questions asked, emphasizing the importance of research, understanding, and presentation delivery. Brian also introduced the grading criteria, which include depth, relevance, visuals, understanding, and delivery, and mentioned that he would reveal topics 1 and 2 for the first presentations.

Lecture Time Schedule Change Discussion

The group discussed changing the lecture session time from Monday 2-4 PM to Saturday 6-8 PM, with Brian explaining that presentations would still occur in the lecture sessions while practical work would continue in the regular Monday sessions. While a poll showed 12 people preferred Monday and 4 preferred Saturday, Brian agreed to give it a trial run for the semester, noting that after presentations, students would primarily observe other groups' work. The change was motivated by scheduling conflicts with another instructor, Miss Adams, and the need to accommodate both studio and lecture sessions.

3D Modeling and Rendering Techniques

The meeting focused on two main topics: 3D modeling techniques in architecture and the advantages and disadvantages of real-time versus offline rendering. Brian instructed the group to research different types of 3D modeling techniques, emphasizing a broad perspective rather than focusing on specific software. He encouraged the students to consider local applications of their research. For the second topic, Brian asked the group to explore the technology behind real-time and offline rendering, including hardware requirements and software examples. He also suggested considering cost factors and personal experiences with different rendering methods.

Class Presentation Schedule Changes

The class decided to move presentations to Monday from 2-4 PM, with the first two topics to be presented in two weeks. Brian clarified that students should arrange their presentations based on the grading criteria and upload sketches to the class website under the Course Project Work section. He also addressed scheduling conflicts for DDM (Digital Design Module) classes, deciding to move them to Mondays from 12-2 PM and 6-8 PM, with students only needing to attend the Monday sessions and not the Wednesday ones.

Student Registration and Technical Support

The meeting focused on addressing issues related to course registration, module access, and software compatibility for students. Tattianna discussed her situation regarding transfer credits and late registration, which affected her access to certain modules and assignments. Brian clarified her status for the current semester and advised her on how to manage her schedule and resolve any conflicts. Wane sought assistance with running a program on a Mac, and Brian recommended contacting Neville Campbell for technical support. Tattianna also raised concerns about her laptop's performance with specific software, and Brian agreed to follow up with the relevant department to ensure she had access to the necessary computer resources.

Class Scheduling Conflict Resolution

The meeting discussed the scheduling of a class that currently has a conflict with another module. Brian explained that while most students prefer keeping the class on Monday, there is a possibility of moving it to Saturday, though this would require checking lecturer availability and system changes. Tattianna raised concerns about the clash with her building services module, which is face-to-face, and Brian acknowledged that moving the class to Saturday could resolve this issue. The decision will be made by next week Monday, and Brian advised Tattianna to campaign with her classmates and class rep for the Saturday option, noting that the class has been held on Saturday in previous semesters.