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Computers for Environmental Design URP 211
Course Description
The course is an introductory course to the applications of computers graphics in environmental design. The course provides students with the basic computer graphics skills required in the three disciplines, architecture, urban and regional planning and landscape architecture. The course covers mainly three software; AutoCAD (2D), 3 D Studio Max and Photoshop. Each student produces three projects that cover the skills of using these software.
The course is a theory/lab course, two credit hours, one-hour weekly lecture session (in lab) and two-hour weekly lab session. A prerequisite to this course is AR 191 (Visual communication). In a detailed description, the course is an applied introductory course that deals with computer graphics applications as an essential skill required for all students who join the Faculty of Environmental Design (FED). The course has been introduced as part of curricula development, coping with the ongoing quick shift and the developments of information technology and the increasing use of computer applications, which have culminated in the intensive use in education and all fields of knowledge and personal use. The course provides students with the basic computer skills that are required for the graduates of FED, with a special focus on the software and computer graphics applications that helps the student to master the computer use in his work and producing three types of professional and studio projects outputs; 2D and 3D graphics and image processing. The course also lays the foundation for other advanced departmental computer courses and graphics applications in the four departments of FED.
Course Objectives
Based on the previous description, the specific course objectives are:
1. To provide students with AutoCAD 2D drawings basic skills those are commonly used to produce studio projects.
2. To provide students with 3D Studio Max architectural modelling and rendering basic skills those are commonly used to produce studio projects.
3. To provide students with Photoshop architectural coloring and styling basic skills those are commonly used to produce studio projects.
4. To develop the computer application skills and to increase the familiarity and promote the friendly use of computers.
Learning Resources
The course uses the following resources:
1. A computer lab (room # 206) that includes 26 computers with Autodesk licensed AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max 2008 and Photoshop installed on them. The lab also has a projector, screen and new furniture. However the course is currently run under the constraints of the lack of printers, plotters, and related supplies and materials.
2. The lab is used for the weekly one-hour theory lecture session as well as the two-hour weekly lab session.
Teaching methodology
As described before the course is a theory/lab course. While introducing the basic theoretical background and the software basics and commands in the weekly lecture, the lab sessions are allocated for training and exercises. Students are required to do a number of exercises through class works and home works under a close supervision of the course instructor, whose main role during the lab session is to resolve the difficulties that face students while they are doing the exercises and tutorials, and to ensure that they have gained the basic skills that enable them to undertake any further work.
Textbooks
No specific textbooks have been assigned by the department curriculum for this course. However a collection of different materials has been collected from different sources including the basics of the software described before, and other necessary notes and handouts.
References
1. Instructor Homepage. http://mmaatouk.kau.edu.sa
2. Omura, G., (2008), Mastering AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008,
3. Merdouk, Killy., translated by Khalid Elamary. (2008), 3D Studio Max 2009 Bible
Useful websites and links
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/home?siteID=123112&id=129446
PC Lab Graphics http://www.pclabgfx.com
MYCADSITE.com, Free Online AutoCAD courses and tutorials. http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/index.htm
Course Requirements and Grading
The following are the course requirements and their respective grades
Class works, assignments and quizzes 30%
AutoCAD, 3D Max and Photoshop projects 30%
Attendance and performance 10%
Final exam 30%
Generally the final grades the university letter grading system, which likely to be universal, but in this specific grading system the grading will be interpreted as follows:
A Excellent work and performance. Assigned work is clearly and well presented, thoughtful, insightful, and creative. The student has demonstrated that the course material has been thoroughly learned. The student has demonstrated the creative skills and handed in all the course requirements, meeting the deadlines.
B Good work. Assigned work is clearly presented and thoughtful. The student has clearly demonstrated that the course material has been learned.
C Acceptable work. Assigned work is completed and the course standards are met. The student has clearly demonstrated that much of the course material has been learned.
D Marginally acceptable work. Most of the assigned work is completed in a way that meets the course standards or all of the assigned work is completed in a way that almost meets the course standards. The student has clearly demonstrated that some of the course material has been learned.
F Unacceptable work. The student has not clearly demonstrated that the course material has been learned.
The final mark depends on completing the course requirements and is obtained as a total of all the requirements. Other grades such as (DN - Denial), (AF – Absent fail), (IC – Incomplete) (IP – in progress) are offered as described by the university regulations. Sub categories such as A- and A+ indicate upper and lower limits of the grade. To obtain the grade students must attend, and actively participate in the class work, handing in all the exercises and tutorials, showing keenness to learn, participate in the discussions, sharing skills, thoughts and opinions with other students, read the handouts and assigned references and questions and answer the class questions. The instruction has an option of giving bonus grades to students who demonstrate an extraordinarily high level of computer skills.
Description of the course requirements:
Class works: This includes tutorials and exercises in the lab with the supervision and assistance of the instructor and at the same time suited to the time available for the lab session. Class works are aimed at familiarize students with the lab-working environment, and to encourage adapt them to the habit of working. The assignments are designed to help students to come over the basic techniques, basic computer commands and working skills so that they can proceed on to gain and develop their own skills when they work alone at home. This explains why the grades assigned for this part is higher than the homework.
Homework: These are assignments that mainly represents step by step of implementation of AutoCAD, 3D Max and Photoshop projects. These activities are carried out at home to enable students to apply what they have learned in the lab and theory lectures. Home works are designed to enable students to promote and revise their class-learned skills. They also aim to help both students and the instructor to recognize any points that are not fully understood, and enable students to explore additional features of the specified computer applications. Students are expected to avoid unethical conduct of seeking help from outsiders and bringing copies of other student’s works.
AutoCAD (2D) architectural project: This is an assignment where students are tested on their level of AutoCAD skills. Students are given a chance to apply all the learned computer skills in a real (2D) architectural project, including plan sections and elevation drawing of a building.
Photoshop architectural project: This is an assignment where students are tested on their level of Photoshop skills. Students are given a chance to apply all the learned computer skills in coloring (2D) architectural project, including plans and elevations drawing of a building.
3ds Max (3D) architectural project: This is an assignment where students are tested on their level of 3ds Max skills. Students are given a chance to apply all the learned computer skills in a real (3D) architectural project, including 3D modelling and rendering of a building.
Final exam: This is an applied exam. The exam is where students are tested on implementing 2D and 3D drawings of small building.
General rules
1. Deadline submissions: Any student should meet the deadline submission of the home works and projects. Late submissions are subject to not less than forty percent grade reduction, if no written or prior excuse has been produced, such as a medical report. Repeated late submission may result in rejection of the work.
2. Assignment materials: All assignments should be submitted in a hard copy. Soft copies are required only if it has been specifically demanded by the instructor.
3. Students are advised to take notes and carry out further self-training, and to visit web sites for additional help. Some websites and useful inks are listed before in this document.
4. Students are advised to keep files for all of their work. Students should not swap files. Every student should protect his own files from being copied by others.
5. Students are not allowed to change their sections without the consent of the instructor.
6. Every student is advised to buy a personal workstation or a laptop computer.
7. Students are advised to carefully use the lab resources, and avoid causing any damages in the system, computers or deleting other student’s files or any programs, or change any computer settings.
Students should not keep any files saved in the lab. All machines should be put off at the end of the lab session.
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