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Course Description: XenoDream - Joseph Presley
Getting Started with XenoDream:
This course is designed to provide the novice XD user with an understanding of the program interface. Direct examples will be provided for students to duplicate in order to cover the basics of modeling, rendering, and lighting. Each example will exercise new skills that build on the previous lessons. Each lesson will include a homework assignment as well as an extra credit assignment to further demonstrate understanding of the lessons.
The first few lessons will not leave much room for creativity as the main focus will be on how to operate the interface and how to successfully light a render, but as the class shows understanding of the basics by way of duplicating particular models successfully, more creative freedoms will be allowed as the lessons progress. Note: This course does not show *THE* way to use XD because there is no one way to use XD. The program is bursting with untapped potential.
Upon graduating this class, creative users are encouraged to experiment with techniques, developing new and original methods for creating art with the program. These classes will provide you with hard, fast examples of how XenoDream can be operated and focuses on basic concepts.
Software Versions 1.6 (XD light) or 2.0 (XD professional) and above are the only acceptable versions.
Prerequisites:
- The screen prints provided with the lessons will be taken from Version 2.1 and we will be using features that do not exist in versions prior to v.1.6. For information about the differences between the light and professional versions, please visit www.XenoDream.com
- A separate graphics program (such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro) to use for resizing completed renders. XenoDream does not have built-in anti-aliasing so anti-aliasing will be handled through re-sizing.
- An Internet browser will also be required as the lessons will be in HTML format and tested with Internet Explorer.
- A willingness to learn and the ability to provide completed homework assignments throughout the duration of the course.
Lesson Curriculum:
Week 1:
- Intro
- Interface basics
- Terminology
- Exercise with Contructors
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 2:
- Exercises associating metamorphs with constructors
- Explanation of reposition, resize, reorient checkboxes
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 3:
- Explanation of View tab controls
- Introduction to per-holon coloring
- More about lighting (layering/masking)
- Exercise with color/lighting/masking
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 4:
- Explanation of bound holons
- About holon density
- Exercise with bound holon
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 5:
- Unlocking XD's fractal capabilities
- Hiding holons
- Solo Holon
- Exercise in 3D fractal iteration
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 6:
- Hide Parent Shape
- Bound holons that iterate an entire group
- More Holon window controls
- Inherit Color
- Homework
- Extra Credit
Week 7:
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