Designing+a+Virtual+World

=Designing a Virtual World= Students use design software to create 3-D terrain maps of a landscape, and can take a "snapshot" of any particular view in the space. They adjust features such as the tree line, snow line, water levels, terrain (surface) roughness or smoothness, colors, position of the sun/moon, density and types of trees, etc. You can download a free demo of one of our programs here: []

Objectives: 1. Develop the technical skill required to create believable 3-D spaces, including Adjusting settings to manipulate the landscape features Recognizing problem areas and correcting them 2. Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking skills in the creation of virtual worlds, when given a set of criteria. 3. Predict the result of a major event on an environment, and create Before/During/After scenes to reflect these results. 4. Identify practical applications for these skills and programs, including: Military 3-D terrain maps, used to navigate a space or plan missions Surveys of land Environmental studies Entertainment (video games, special effects for film)

First, students will practice skills by creating 7 virtual worlds based on a set of criteria

Sunrise, by Mary ||  || Close Up, by Greg || Next, students will predict the results of a major event on an environment and create before/during/after landscapes.
 * [[image:stvistamary.jpg width="315" height="235"]]
 * || [[image:stvistsgreg.JPG width="320" height="240"]]

Finally, students will create “fly-through” animations of their 3-D maps.