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This experience is available to individual learners on the following platforms:
Introduction to 3D Modeling
What You'll Learn
- Gain interest in 3D design and learning how to use 3D modeling software.
- Utilize 3D surface and 3D solid modeling tools to create and edit more complex designs.
- Round out your foundational knowledge with 3D rendering and creating 3D printable models.
4 Modules
28 Hours
7 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Introduction to 3D Modeling
On this four-week practical course from the University of Michigan, you’ll not only learn how to use the Rhino software to create your 3D models, but you’ll also gain basic design skills to help bring your imagination to life. This course will guide you through 3D modeling within Rhino, so you’ll cover the fundamentals of the software as well as 3D modeling in general. You’ll first look at how to navigate the user interface and the different tools that you’ll be using to create models throughout this course. You’ll familiarize yourself with the 3D space and 3D objects before jumping straight in to create your own objects and building blocks.
Design is a vital part of 3D modeling. You can be a master of the software but if you aren’t aware of fundamental design concepts, you won’t be able to truly unleash your potential. You’ll build your basic design skills by looking at line, shape, form, and space, before creating and editing 2D line forms that you’ll transform into patterned mandalas and 3D tile wall designs.
This course will guide you through the concept of profile modeling and will allow you to utilize 3D surface and 3D solid modeling tools to create and edit more complex designs. To round out your foundational knowledge, you’ll dive into 3D rendering and creating 3D printable models. Then, once you’ve completed each step of the course, you can bring your newfound skills together into one final 3D modeling project.
This course has been designed for anyone interested in 3D design and learning how to use 3D modeling software. You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience to benefit from this course. It will be particularly useful to Architects, Designers, Engineers, or anyone studying in these fields.
Skills You'll Gain
- 3D Assets
- 3D Modeling Software
- Additive Manufacturing
- Computational Design
- Data Structures
- Debugging
- Python (Programming Language)
- Rhinoceros 3D
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Introduction to 3D Modeling, an introductory course focused on building foundational skills in 3D modeling using Rhinoceros. Designed for beginners, this course emphasizes learning modeling software as a practical design tool for architectural, industrial, and related fields. Through guided tutorials and hands-on assignments, you will develop skills in 2D drawing, 3D solid and surface modeling, and basic rendering to support creative design workflows.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: The Building Blocks
- Video: course introduction
- Reading: syllabus
- Reading: how to set up your environment
- Discussion Prompt: what you can use these skills to do
- Reading: zip file for the assignments
- Reading: help us learn more about you!
- Video: what is a 3D space?
- Video: what are 3D objects?
- Video: introduction to user interface
- Video: getting help
- Video: viewports and cPlane basics
- Video: the gumball and selecting objects
- Video: solid object creation
- Video: building blocks
- Video: building block examples
- Video: outputting images
- Reading: 1.1 instructions
- Reading: 1.1 self- assessment rubric
- Reading: giving and receiving feedback
- Reading: introduction to the gamut gallery
- Video: boolean modeling and figured space
- Video: more gumballs
- Video: object snaps and transforms
- Video: the boolean tool
- Video: boolean modeling: example
- Video: the clipping plane
- Reading: 1.2 instructions
- Reading: 1.2 self- assessment rubric
- Discussion Prompt: end of week discussion
- Graded: 3D space
- Graded: 3D objects
- Graded: building blocks
- Graded: 1.1 gallery tool
- Graded: boolean modeling and figured space
- Graded: 1.2 gallery tool
Module 2: 2D Drawings
- Reading: zip file for the assignments
- Video: 2d shapes and mandalas
- Video: 2D shapes creation and editing
- Video: trim | join | explode
- Video: mirror transformation
- Video: surface from planar curves
- Video: polar arrays
- Video: object properties and layers
- Video: mandalas: example
- Reading: 2.1 instructions
- Reading: 2.1 self- assessment rubric
- Video: lines, curves, and extrusions
- Video: 3D tiling and extrusions
- Video: lines, polylines, curves, and arcs
- Video: curve editing
- Video: the essential six: offset, trim, join, explode, extend, fillet
- Video: using a bitmap underlay
- Video: 3D tile: example one
- Video: 3D tile: example two
- Video: bonus: modeling the block M
- Reading: 2.2 instructions
- Reading: 2.2 self- assessment rubric
- Discussion Prompt: end of week discussion
- Graded: shapes and mandala
- Graded: 2.1 gallery tool
- Graded: lines | curves | extrusion
- Graded: 2.2 gallery tool
Module 3: Object Modeling
- Reading: zip file for the assignments
- Video: profile modeling
- Video: what is a surface?
- Video: more cplane
- Video: revolve
- Video: sweep 1
- Video: sweep 2
- Video: revolve: example 1
- Video: revolve: example 2
- Reading: 3.2 instructions
- Reading: 3.2 self- assessment rubric
- Video: object modeling
- Video: project and pull
- Video: curves from objects
- Video: trimming surfaces
- Video: project object snaps
- Video: cutter: bitmap scaling and regulating lines
- Video: cutter: handle
- Video: cutter: cap
- Video: cutter: cutting wheel
- Video: cutter: arms
- Video: cutter: pin
- Video: cutter: guard
- Video: cutter: label
- Reading: 3.3 instructions
- Reading: 3.3 self- assessment rubric
- Discussion Prompt: end of week discussion
- Graded: profile modeling
- Graded: surface modeling
- Graded: 3.2 gallery tool
- Graded: object model fundamentals
- Graded: 3.3 gallery tool
Module 4: Surface Modeling
- Reading: zip file for the assignments
- Video: surface modeling
- Video: lofting
- Video: lofting example: drinking glass
- Video: surface filleting and blending
- Video: surface from edge curves
- Video: patch surfaces
- Video: surface from network of curves
- Reading: 4.1 instructions
- Reading: 4.1 self- assessment rubric
- Video: tree form pavilion
- Video: tree form pavilion: trees
- Video: tree form pavilion: surface
- Video: tree form pavilion: tessellation
- Video: tree form pavilion: connection and multipipe
- Video: tree form pavilion: applying materials
- Video: Tree Form Pavilion: Alternative Methods
- Video: 3D printing file preparation
- Video: course conclusion
- Discussion Prompt: end of week discussion
- Reading: 4.2 instructions
- Reading: 4.2 self- assessment rubric
- Reading: attributions & credits
- Discussion Prompt: end of course discussion
- Reading: post-course survey
- Graded: more surface modeling
- Graded: 4.1 gallery tool
- Graded: 4.2 gallery tool
Grading Policy
Learners must complete all graded assignments to pass the course. Final grades are based on cumulative performance across modeling assignments and gallery submissions. Modeling Assignments (3D space, objects, building blocks, boolean modeling, shapes, curves, profiles, and surfaces) are worth approximately 72% of the final grade; Gallery Tool Submissions are worth approximately 28% combined.
No instructors specified.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required
