Description
In the spring of 2024, the legendary Jeff Smith connected Associate Professor Bush from Auburn University with an OEM partner to explore what it would look like to team a group of graduate industrial design students with a seasoned digital vehicle designer. Through this interaction emerged a five-week section in Alias AutoStudio software and a five-week section in VRED software, using the Auburn instructor's background in surface modeling with the OEM partner's background in SubD and mesh modeling. This proposal compares the CAD instruction methodology that has been implemented at Auburn University for the past three years with the experimental, collaborative approach with the OEM. We will highlight the changes in student outcomes, as well as the implications of knowing SubD/hybrid modeling moving into the design profession.
Key Learnings
- Learn about the previous objective, which was to gain CAD fundamentals through a 15-week course focusing on modeling in surfaces, solids, and meshes.
- Learn about one new objective, which is to partner with OEM to SubD model and VRED render complex, brand-driven vehicles though tutorials and troubleshooting.
- Learn about another new objective, which is to partner with OEM to provide students with real-world insights and increase student ability to model complex geometry.