GA 2420 - Game Shader Development

Credits: 3
Course Type: Studio

In this sophomore-level course, students will create runtime materials in a game engine while also using procedural texture generation tools and photographic images to aid in material creation. This studio-based course will explore creating materials adhering to physically based rendering models as well as adding motion and interactivity to game environments using programmable shaders. Topics in the course will be taught through creating props and other game assets that make use of a variety of shader techniques. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have created runtime assets and have an understanding of materials for use in subsequent classes.

Prerequisites: AN3D 2320 - 3D Computer Lighting + Materials

Notes: (Formerly GA3220 Game Shader Development, GA 3220 Game Texture + Lighting)

Course Learning Outcomes:

Create custom material networks utilizing native software tools.
Apply real-world surface detail observation to objects and translate their surface properties into shader attributes.
Demonstrate hand-painting textures, derived from photographs or procedurally generated in software.
Produce clean, functional light maps.

GA 2420 Course Learning Outcomes Rubric

Required Course Materials:

Maya
Unreal Engine
Substance Suite
Photoshop