COGT 2443 Animation and Rendering with 3ds Max Syllabus H01 Spring 2026

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Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 2 Clinical/Lab Hours 3
Type of Credit
Occupational/Technical
CIP Code
11.0803
Course Meeting Time

Day: Thursday

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM And ONLINE

Course Description
This course introduces Autodesk 3ds Max software principles and features for a variety of film, television, game, architectural, and industrial applications. Students will learn and use tools for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, dynamics, and compositing related to fields of game development, visual effects, architecture, design, engineering, and visualization. Topics will include standard and extended primitives models, default objects, mesh models, splines, materials and maps, lights and cameras, animation basics, and particle systems.
Prerequisites

COGT 2114 

Explanation of Course Alignment

COGT2434 Animation and Rendering with 3ds Max was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program. Transferability of this course will be determined by each transfer institution. Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer option. There are specific transfer agreements set up for this program.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
John Bordeau
Faculty Email
jbordeau@kcc.edu
Faculty Phone
815-802-8863
Faculty Office Number
V207 (Upstairs of the Technology Building)
Faculty Student Support Hours

 

 

 

Faculty Information

John R. Bordeau

Phone: 815-802-8863

Email: jbordeau@kcc.edu

Faculty Office: V207 (Located upstairs in the Technology Building)

Web Site: https://sites.google.com/kcc.edu/john-bordeau/

KCC COGT Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/KCCcomputerGraphics

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/johnbordeauprofessor

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Create assets for film, television, games, architectural and industrial industries with Autodesk 3ds Max.
  2. Navigate the Autodesk 3ds Max user interface and tools.
  3. Create primitives and extended primitives models.
  4. Create splines.
  5. Modify 3D mesh objects.
  6. Apply materials to models.
  7. Apply lights and cameras to a scene.
  8. Create an animation.
Topical Outline
  1. Introduction to Autodesk 3ds Max
  2. Standard Primitives
  3. Extended Primitives
  4. Working with Architectural Objects
  5. Splines and Extended Splines
  6. Modifying Splines
  7. Materials Editor: Creating Materials
  8. Materials Editor: Texture Maps
  9. Modifying 3D Mesh Objects
  10. Graphite Modeling Technique
  11. NURBS Modeling
  12. Lights and Cameras
  13. Animation Basics
  14. Systems, Hierarchy, and Kinematics
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Textbook and Supplies Information

 

Required Textbook:

Book Name: Autodesk 3ds Max 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Author: Tickoo

Publisher: CADCIM Technologies

ISBN-13: 978-1-64057-211-9

Edition: 25th

 

Recommended Supplies:

  • Jump/Flash Drive (1 GB Minimum)
  • 1” to 2” Three Ring Binder
  • #2 Wooden Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Internet access
  • Headphones.or ear buds with microphone (for online video conferences and presentations)
  • Web cam (for online video conferences and presentations)
Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation

Grading for the course will be based on study questions, quizzes, labs, tests, final project, presentations, and class attendance/conduct.

 

Program Grading Scale

Grade Points

A 900-1000

B 800-899

C 700-799

D 600-699

F 599 or less

 

Point Distribution:

Study Questions: 150 Points

Quizzes: 165 Points

Labs: 370 Points

Tests: 100 Points

Final Project: 135 Points

Attendance/Conduct: 80 Points

Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650

Course Policies

Course Policies

Covid-19

KCC continues to comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health as we teach and learn in the COVID-19 era. Masks are optional.

Time Commitment Expectation

At a minimum, the average person can expect to spend three to six additional hours outside of class. This time will be dedicated to reading the textbook chapter(s), answering study questions, studying for quizzes and tests, and practicing 3ds Max techniques.

Class Attendance

  • Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected.
  • There are NO excused absences.
  • To receive full class attendance points, you must not be late or leave early.
  • Reading assignments are indicated on the schedule, and should be finished before the topic is covered in class.
  • Some important information provided during the lecture does not appear in your textbook, but you will find it useful for completing your labs, quizzes or tests. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain handouts and information presented for any class for which he/she is absent.
  • If a student misses four or more classes in one semester, he/she will receive an automatic “F”.

Classroom Code of Conduct

  • Use of cell phones during class is not permitted.
  • Use of tablets or laptops during class is not permitted.
  • No texting, Twitter, Facebook, Internet surfing not related to 3ds Max
  • No playing or watching video games.
  • No sleeping.
  • No Food or Drinks in the Engineering Design Lab (Room V205).
  • Please turn off or set cell phones to vibrate. If a call must be answered, please leave the classroom quietly.
  • If you violate of this policies, you will lose that day’s attendance points and be asked to leave the class.
  • Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.

Computer Graphic Technology Lab Safety

  • Students will be allowed to work in V205 Engineering Design Lab or V107 Graphic Design Lab outside of scheduled Computer Graphic Technology class times during open building hours. Lab schedules are typically posted on the door or bulletin board.
  • Students will not be allowed to work in V111 Innovation Lab outside of enrolled class times without prior approval or consent of instructor or program coordinator and direct supervision of tutor, instructor or program coordinator.

Study Questions Policy

  • Study Questions can NOT be made up.
  • Study Questions must be submitted by the date/time due.
  • Any student failing to submit Study Questions by the date/time due will receive a zero.

Lab Policy

  • Labs must be submitted by the date/time due for full credit.
  • Labs must be placed in the correct lab assignment to receive credit.
  • Lab can be turned in late until the death penalty. (UNTIL) in Canvas

Lab Death Penalty:

  • Labs can be turned late up to one week late.
  • All late assignments will be assessed a 10% penalty.
  • Any student failing to submit a lab by the death penalty will receive a zero.
  • Labs will not be accepted after the lab death penalty date (UNTIL) in Canvas.

Quiz Policy

  • Quizzes cannot be made up.
  • Any student missing a quiz will receive a zero.
  • Any student arriving late for the quiz will not be given extra time to complete the quiz.
  • Quizzes may not be taken online outside of class.
  • The lowest of the quiz scores will be dropped.

Testing Policy

  • Students failing to take a test will receive a zero for the test.
  • There are no makeup tests or excused tests.
  • The lowest of the test scores will be dropped.
  • Tests may not be taken online outside of class.

KCC Student Athletes Policy

  • All student athletes will be granted attendance points while participating in KCC sporting events, not practices.
  • All missed labs, quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be completed within one week of the scheduled quiz or test.
  • All missed quizzes and tests due to sporting events must be rescheduled during posted office hours.

Final Project Policy

  • The comprehensive final project is mandatory.
  • Any student missing the final project presentation will receive a zero.

Incomplete Grade Policy

  • All course requirements must be completed by the end date of the course.
  • An incomplete grade will NOT be granted regardless of the extenuating circumstances.

Plagiarism

  • KCC defines plagiarism: Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Plagiarism includes claiming credit for assignments completed by someone else. Copying someone else’s 3ds Max file is plagiarism.
  • In all academic work, the ideas and contributions of others must be appropriately acknowledged and work that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. Using an AI-content generator (such as CHATGPT) to complete coursework without proper attribution or authorization is a form of academic dishonesty. If you are unsure about whether something may be plagiarism or academic dishonesty, please contact your instructor to discuss the issue. First violation will result in a zero for the assignment. The second violation will result in “F” failing of the course.

 

Course Calendar
Week 1, Introduction to Autodesk 3ds Max 1/15/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the Autodesk 3ds Max Interface components
  • Use controls for creating or modifying objects
  • Use and Customize hotkeys in Autodesk 3ds Max
  • Customize the colors of the scene elements

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 1

In-Class Activities:

  • Syllabus Review
    • Course Policies
    • College Policies
    • College Resources
  • Free Software Review
  • Study Questions: Introduction to AutoCAD 3ds Max, Due by End of Class
Week 2, Standard Primitives 1/22/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand viewport navigation controls
  • Understand selection techniques
  • Understand Scene Explorer/Layer Explorer
  • Create standard primitives
  • Render a still image
  • Change the background color of a scene

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 2
  • Study Questions: Standard Primitives, Due Week 2 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Introduction to AutoCAD 3ds Max, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Standard Primitives, Due Week 2 – Friday 9:00 PM
 
Week 3, Extended Primitives 1/29/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand Bend modifier
  • Understand Taper modifier
  • Create and edit extended primitives

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 3
  • Study Questions: Extended Primitives, Due Week 3 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Standard Primitives, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Extended Primitives, Due Week 3 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 4, Working with Architectural Objects 2/5/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Use the Mirror and Align tools
  • Create AEC extended objects
  • Create doors and windows

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 4
  • Study Questions: Working with Architectural Objects, Due Week 4 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Extended Primitives, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Working with Architectural Objects, Due Week 4 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 5, Splines and Extended Splines 2/12/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Use AutoGrid option
  • Create splines
  • Create extended splines

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapters 5
  • Study Questions: Splines and Extended Splines, Due Week 5 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • Test #1, In-class
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Splines and Extended Splines, Due Week 5 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 6, Modifying Splines 2/19/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Adjust the pivot point of an object
  • Use the Lathe modifier to modify objects
  • Modify shapes
  • Use editable spline objects

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 6
  • Study Questions: Modifying Splines, Due Week 6 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Splines and Extended Splines, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Modifying Splines, Due Week 6 – Friday 9:00 PM
 
Week 7, Materials Editor: Creating Materials 2/26/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Create materials in the material library
  • Apply ambient and diffuse properties of the materials
  • Assign materials to the objects
  • Render the scene for the final output

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 7, pages 7-1 to 7-12.

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Modifying Splines, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Materials Editor: Creating Materials, Due Week 7 – Friday 9:00 PM

 

Week 8, Materials Editor: Texture Maps 3/5/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the types of materials and maps
  • Create materials and maps
  • Apply texture maps
  • Apply bump maps

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 7, 7-12 to 7-37.
  • Study Questions: Materials and Maps, Due Week 8 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Materials Editor: Creating Materials, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Materials and Maps, Due Week 8 – Friday 9:00 PM
Spring Break – No Class 3/12/2026
Week 9, Modifying 3D Mesh Objects 3/19/2026 - ONLINE

Learning Objectives:

  • Convert objects into editable mesh
  • Use sub-object levels
  • Convert objects into editable poly
  • Modify editable mesh and editable poly objects

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 8
  • Study Questions: Modifying 3D Mesh Objects, Due Week 9 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • On-line Quiz: Materials Editor: Texture Maps, Due Week 9 – Thursday 9:00 PM
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Modifying 3D Mesh Objects, Due Week 9 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 10, Graphite Modeling Technique 3/26/2026 - ONLINE

Learning Objectives:

  • Customize the graphite modeling toolset interface
  • Work with panels in the graphite modeling toolset

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 9
  • Study Questions: Graphite Modeling Technique, Due Week 10 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • Online Quiz: Modifying 3D Mesh Objects, Due Week 10 – Thursday 9:00 PM
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Graphite Modeling Technique, Due Week 10 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 11, Lights and Rendering – Part I 4/2/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Work with standard lights
  • Work with photometric lights
  • Use the Place Highlight tool

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 12
  • Study Questions: Lights and Rendering – Part I, Due Week 11 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • Test #2, In-class
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Interior Lighting I, Due Week 11 – Friday 9:00 PM

 

4/2/2026, LAST DAY TO WITHDRAWAL

 

Week 12, Lights and Rendering – Part II 4/9/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Work with Camera tools
  • Understand camera viewport controls
  • Work with the Align Camera tool

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 12
  • Study Questions: Lights and Rendering – Part II, Due Week 12 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Lights and Rendering – Part I, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Lights and Rendering, Due Week 12 – Friday 9:00 PM
Week 13, Animation Basics - 4/16/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Work with the time slider
  • Use animation playback controls
  • Use animation and time controls
  • Render and preview an animation

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 13
  • Study Questions: Animation Basics, Due Week 13 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Lights and Cameras, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Animation Basics, Due Week 13 – Friday 9:00 PM
 
Week 14, Complex Animation - 4/23/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Morph compound object
  • Apply various rendering effects to a scene
  • Motion path
  • Creating dummy objects
  • Setting continuity value

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 13

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Animation Basics, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Complex Animation, Due Week 14 – Friday 9:00 PM

Week 15, Systems, Hierarchy, and Kinematics 4/30/2026

Learning Objectives:

  • Create a Ring Array system
  • Create a Sunlight system
  • Create a Daylight system
  • Understand hierarchy and kinematics
  • Create a bone system
  • Understand IK solver, interactive IK, and applied IK
  • Create a biped system

Before Class Activities:

  • Reading Assignment: Chapter 16 online
  • Study Questions: Systems, Hierarchy, and Kinematics, Due Week 15 – Wednesday 5:15 PM

In-Class Activities:

  • In-class Quiz: Complex Animation, In-class only
  • Tutorials and Exercises: Systems, Hierarchy, and Kinematics, Due Week 15 – Friday 9:00 PM

 

Week 16, Final Project Production 5/7/2026

In-Class Activities:

  • Test #3, In-class
  • Final Project, Due Week 16 – Friday 9:00 PM

Week 17, FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS 5/14/2026 10:00 AM – 11:50 AM

The final project is comprehensive and mandatory.

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.
Copyright & Syllabus Disclaimer

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright. 
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.