3D Models for Virtual Reality from Coursera

This course will begin your journey to creating Virtual Reality experiences. A Virtual Reality experience is a new world that you step into and are entirely immersed in. Creating a VR experience means creating that world and all the objects in it.

In this course you will learn the basics of 3D graphics: how we create objects and how to lay them out to create an environment. You will learn techniques like materials and texturing that make your objects appear realistic. You will also learn about audio techniques to ensure that your experiences sound great as well as looking great. In all of these topics we will pay attention to the particular requirements of Virtual Reality, including pitfalls and performance issues: making sure your environment runs fast enough in VR.

You will learn all of this using the professional game and VR engine, Unity3D. Unity is one of the most used game engine and is a relatively easy, but fully featured, introduction to 3D development.

The course will culminate in a project in which you will create your own VR scene. VR development is something you can only learn by doing it yourself, so working on your project will be the best way to learn.

What's inside

Syllabus

3D Graphics

This week you will begin developing 3D Virtual Reality Environments. We will cover the basics of 3D graphics, including a number of 3D engines and development environments that you can use. We will particularly focus on the Unity3D engine.

VR Graphics

In this module you will carry on learning about 3D graphics, including how to use transforms to lay out a 3D scene and how to use materials to give your objects a distinctive appearance. You will also submit the first draft of your project.

VR Audio

In this week you will learn about using sound in Virtual Reality and how you can use advanced 3D Audio techniques to enhance your experience.

Content Creation: What works in VR?

In this final week of the course, we will put together everything we have learned to think about how to create compelling VR worlds. We will start by looking behind the scenes at how 3D graphics hardware works and why VR can be so demanding of computing power. Then we will think about the particular requirements of content creation for VR. You will finish by submitting the final version of your project for a peer review.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches basics of 3D graphics, which is standard in the game development industry

Uses Unity 3D, a user-friendly game engine, for hands-on learning

Covers 3D audio techniques, which are essential for enhancing VR experiences

Provides guidance on creating compelling VR worlds, catering to the specific requirements of VR content creation

Guided by industry expert, Prof. Sylvia Xueni Pan, known for her contributions to virtual reality

Reviews summary

Beginner-friendly 3d vr course

Learners largely agree that this 3D modeling course is well designed and useful for learners of all experience levels. Reviews show that students found the course engaging and easy to understand. Topics covered include lectures, readings, 3D modeling, Unity Engine, audio, graphics, exams, peer-graded assignments, and certificate opportunities. Though some reviews mention outdated material, most students recommend the course to other learners.

Peer reviews provide valuable feedback

"Hands on training, documentation, forums will help us to know more about the Unity Project."

"Peer Graded Assignment will help to develop good projects as we review their projects and we receive the reviews of our project."

Wide range of topics

"It really couldn't have been better."

"It was just a perfect experience."

"Realmente fue de mucha ayuda los videos y toda la información que nos compartieron agradezco a los tutores a a los que hacen posible estos cursos para seguir aprendiendo día tras día."

Hands-on approach with projects

"Lovely step by step instructions which are easy to follow."

"Had a lot of fun developing the projects."

"Outstanding Course and Nice to be practical."

Students experienced issues with VR setup

"It doesn't explain how to open VR mode on Unity properly"

"The moment when you have to connect Unity with the Oculus was not easy"

Some information is outdated

"Some materials are outdated and teachers spend a lot of video time doing really basic stuff"

"Outdated. this course uses a really old version of unity"

"I am really disappointed with the content of this course.Course1 was although very informative and descriptive and introduced a lot of concepts on VR which a beginner would find useful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 3D Models for Virtual Reality with these activities:

Practice creating 3D objects in Unity

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Practice creating 3D objects in Unity to improve your skills and build a portfolio of assets.

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Find some tutorials on creating 3D objects in Unity
Follow the tutorials and create some of your own objects
Experiment with different techniques and styles
Share your creations with others and get feedback

Create a simple VR scene

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Start by creating a simple VR scene to get a feel for the Unity3D engine and the basic concepts of VR development.

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Create a new Unity project and set up a VR template
Create a simple 3D environment with a few objects
Add a VR camera and set up the player
Build and run your scene and test it on a VR headset

Follow a Unity tutorial on creating a VR game

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Following a tutorial on creating a VR game is a great way to learn the basics of VR development and create a fun project.

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Find a Unity tutorial on creating a VR game
Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Experiment with different features and settings
Publish your game and share it with others

Three other activities

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Join a study group or online forum for VR developers

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Joining a study group or online forum is a great way to connect with other VR developers and learn from each other.

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Find a study group or online forum that is relevant to your interests
Introduce yourself and share your experience
Participate in discussions and ask questions
Help other members of the group

Write a blog post about your VR development experience

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Writing a blog post about your experience will help you solidify your knowledge and share what you've learned with others.

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Choose a topic to write about
Do some research and gather your thoughts
Write a draft of your post
Edit and proofread your post
Publish your post and share it with others

Create a demo of a VR experience

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Creating a demo of a VR experience is a great way to showcase your skills and build a portfolio.

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Plan your demo and decide what you want to showcase
Create the VR experience in Unity
Build and package your demo
Share your demo with others and get feedback

Career center

Learners who complete 3D Models for Virtual Reality will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Developer

As a Game Developer, you will work in a team to design and create the latest video games. Video games are a form of entertainment, but they also teach, inform, and even change the world. At their best, games connect people and create lasting memories. This course can help you formalize your skills to build virtual worlds. Using Unity3D, you will learn the basics of 3D graphics, including how to create and assemble virtual worlds, and how to give your objects a distinctive look and feel. You will also learn about using audio to enhance your experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Technical Artist

As a Technical Artist, you will work with creative teams to bring video games, movies, and other media to life. Your artistry helps these teams make immersive experiences. This course can help you build a foundation in 3D graphics, and you will also learn about audio techniques. You will use Unity3D, a professional game and VR engine, to create your own VR scene.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

VR Developer

As a VR Developer, you will design and develop virtual reality (VR) experiences. VR technology has been growing in popularity as the ability of VR hardware improves. This course can help you gain the skills you need to get started as a VR Developer. You will learn the basics of 3D graphics, including the specific requirements of Virtual Reality.

See salaries and explore the career path for VR Developer

3D Modeler

As a 3D Modeler, you will create 3D models for use in video games, movies, television, and other media. 3D models are also increasingly used in engineering, architecture, and medicine. This course offers the opportunity to learn how to create and assemble virtual worlds using Unity3D, a software that is highly valued in the entertainment industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for 3D Modeler

Environment Artist

As an Environment Artist, you will create the virtual worlds that characters inhabit in video games and other media. You will use your skills in 3D modeling and texturing to create realistic and immersive environments. This course will teach you how to use Unity3D, a professional game and VR engine, to create immersive virtual worlds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist

Game Designer

As a Game Designer, you will design and develop the rules and mechanics of video games. You will work with other members of a development team to create games that are fun, challenging, and engaging. This course will provide you with a foundation in 3D graphics and game design through Unity3D.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

UX Designer

As a UX Designer, you will design the user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. You will work with other members of a development team to create digital products that are easy to use and enjoyable. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Web Developer

As a Web Developer, you will design and develop websites and web applications. You will use your skills in programming, design, and 3D graphics to create websites that are beautiful, engaging, and functional. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Multimedia Artist

As a Multimedia Artist, you will create visual content for a variety of media, including websites, videos, and games. You will use your skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and animation to create engaging and visually appealing content. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Animator

As an Animator, you will create 3D models and animations for video games, movies, television, and other media. You will use your skills in 3D modeling, animation, and rigging to create characters and objects that are realistic and lifelike. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain software applications. You will use your skills in programming, software engineering, and 3D graphics to create software applications that are reliable, efficient, and user-friendly. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Graphic designer

As a Graphic Designer, you will create visual content for a variety of media, including websites, logos, brochures, and posters. You will use your skills in graphic design, typography, and 3D graphics to create visual content that is visually appealing and effective. This course will teach you how to use 3D graphics and audio to create immersive experiences.

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Art Director

As an Art Director, you will lead a team of artists and designers to create the visual style of a video game, movie, or other media project. You will use your skills in art direction, 3D modeling, and animation to create a visual style that is consistent and visually appealing. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundation in 3D graphics and game design.

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Producer

As a Producer, you will oversee the development of a video game, movie, or other media project. You will work with a team of artists, designers, and engineers to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundation in 3D graphics and game design.

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Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will plan, execute, and close out projects. You will work with a team of project stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful to you as it provides a foundation in 3D graphics and game design.

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