Certificate Programs
Advanced Rendering
The art of rendering provides the opportunity to explore, and convey the visualization of spaces. Whether you are looking to sharpen your hand rendering skills with a watercolor class, or broaden your capabilities with computer-aided design, the BAC offers a range of courses that provide the opportunity to develop your skills in the art of rendering. Courses may be taken individually, or applied to the Advanced Rendering Certificate Program.
Advanced Rendering Certificate
The Advanced Rendering Certificate provides the opportunity for architects, designers, illustrators, and fine artists to enhance their rendering capabilities through a combination of hand-drawing and computer-aided design skills.
Six required classes
- Two or more classes in hand rendering techniques
- One to three classes in computer rendering techniques
- One Advanced Design Media elective
- Final rendering project (Independent Study project with the Director of Media)
Examples of Hand Rendering Electives:
Freehand Drawing
Course Number: VS151
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: None
Students will learn to draw forms and objects in space and explore positive and negative space, edges, contours, and the effects of light and shadow. Varying approaches to freehand drawing will be offered according to the instructor's interests, including exposure to figure drawing, still life, and perspective sketching. Media used will include pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, and watercolor. Students should bring to the first class an 18" x 24" newsprint pad, a soft charcoal pencil, and a kneaded eraser.
Orthogonal Drawing
Course Number: VS152
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Freehand Drawing or equivalent experience.
This course introduces the basic conventions of straight-line architectural drawing: plan, section, elevation, and axonometric. Emphasis is on acquiring basic freehand and hard-line drafting skills, but study will include introduction to theories of representation and the power of basic drawing to inform the architectural and interior design process.
Perspective Drawing
Course Number: VS115
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Orthogonal Drawing or familiarity with drafting techniques.
This course introduces students to both freehand and mechanically generated perspectives. The initial sessions will discuss historical concepts before engaging in plan, elevation and section one-point perspectives. The course will end with the study of two-point perspectives, alternate vanishing points, and rendered shades and shadows. Students will develop interior and exterior views and entourage. The course integrates analog and digital media through Sketchup exercises and an introduction to CAD 3D.
Pen and Ink Rendering
Course Number: VS160
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Orthogonal Drawing.
In this course, students will construct and render several perspective views, prepared with perspective charts using construction systems. The fully rendered drawings will include all entourage, shade, and texture additions and will range in subject from landscapes, vehicles, the figure, and interiors and exteriors. Class time will be 30% lecture and 70% hands-on.
Examples of Computer Rendering Electives:
3ds max I / Modeling and Rendering
Course Number: VS658
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: CAD 2D or 3D, or equivalent experience.
This software system generates photo-realistic architectural renderings and simulated walk-throughs and is widely used for motion picture special effects. Techniques of lighting, creating atmospheric effects, placing cameras, choosing materials and material properties for photo-realistic rendering will be covered, as will aspects of model and camera motion.
SketchUp I / 3D Modeling & Illustration
Course Number: VS650
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills.
SketchUp is an easy-to-learn yet extraordinary tool for developing 3D models and illustrations, from the conceptual stages of simple designs to complex and sophisticated projects. The course will introduce the application and follow a project-based learning approach, focusing on 3D form creation, modification and communication.
ArchiCAD / 2D and 3D Design Representation
Course Number: VS664
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills and familiarity with drafting techniques.
This course introduces the concept of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with ArchiCAD 10 at its core. From within the BIM framework, students will learn and master the use of building components, navigate through the actively linked views of the building (plans, sections, elevations, details, perspective views, renderings), compose a design presentation, and document a project for constructability/construction.
At the start of the course students will be challenged with modeling several complete building examples. Each project will emphasize, with increasing complexity, a BIM methodology for generating competent models for design explorations and for presentation. The course will culminate with the modeling and documentation of an approved project of the student’s choice.
FormZ I: 3D Modeling and Rendering Version 6
Course Number: VS665
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Computer literacy.
This course introduces students to a modeling environment, explores the capabilities of designing in 3D, and covers the necessary aspects of rendering these creations through the design process.
Rhino I/ 3D Design
Course Number: VS635
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of two-dimensional AutoCAD commands and operations, as well as familiarity with the terminology associated with three-dimensional concepts and construction.
Rhino is among the most influential software to emerge in the community of academic and professional architectural practice. Due to its efficiency and economy of performance, it is currently in use by numerous design firms small and large. With roots in marine engineering, the target output is digital model construction. The relative strength of Rhino lies in its close command-line relationship with the AutoCAD interface widely in use in the architectural and design industry. This allows the flattened world of two-dimensional construction drawings to be realized in three-dimensional form. Utilizing a minimal number of guide poly-lines, students will construct digital models that range from relatively simple to complex. The mathematical concepts of lofting, sweeping, cutting, splitting, and Boolean operations will be addressed as well as methods of curve construction such as slicing, sectioning, and continuous contours.
Photoshop: Digital Image Editing & Critique I
Course Number: VS129
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Basic computer literacy.
This course is an introduction to digital image editing using Adobe Photoshop. Beginning with basic techniques such as using the toolbox, making and saving selections, retouching photos and applying color. The class will then move into layers, masks, copying and pasting, and digital montages. There will be a basic demonstration on scanning artwork, negatives and slides, and using digital cameras in the photo studio.
Examples of Advanced Design Media Electives:
Watercolor Rendering
Course Number: VS158
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: None
This course explores drawing in color. Students will understand the versatility of watercolor through various exercises and will be able to formulate their own creative approach to the medium. Elements of composition and design will be discussed and different techniques will be presented to build presentation skills one step at a time. Special emphasis will be given to the selection and mixture of color.
Architectural Rendering: Black and White Techniques
Course Number: VS154
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: Prior drawing experience and knowledge of perspective
This course is designed to enhance the ability of architects and designers to observe and draw the built world. Through a series of weekly sketching assignments and exercises, students will be asked to document materials, textures, tones, reflections, light, shade and shadow. These exercises will then have a direct application to finished architectural renderings using photographs or the students' own design work as inspiration. Leading work in the field of architectural rendering will be examined as a point of departure for the student.
Revit Architecture / 2D and 3D Representation
Course Number: VS630
3.0 Credits
Prerequisites: Freehand Drawing and basic computer literacy.
This course will offer an introduction to modeling, detailing, and documentation using Autodesk Revit. Students will be guided through a series of exercises and small projects that will cover the fundamental basics of parametric modeling from design through detailing and photorealistic rendering.
SketchUp II / Documentation and Presentation Version 5
Course Number: VS651
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: SketchUp I
This is a second-level course for individuals with a basic knowledge of SketchUp, picking up from where SketchUp I/3D Modeling and Illustration leaves off. The course will experiment with the more advanced features of the modeling package for architectural design, and will present more advanced topics including rendering, animation, and exporting to other software applications for presentation. The course will emphasize tips, tricks, and techniques that help achieve high-quality models and representations. Students are required to use their own work from studio or previous CAD classes as the project basis for their modeling and rendering assignments.
3ds max II / Rendering and Animation
Course Number: VS659
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: 3ds max I/ Modeling and Rendering
This software system generates photo-realistic architectural renderings and simulated walk-throughs and is widely used for motion picture special effects. Techniques of lighting, creating atmospheric effects, placing cameras, choosing materials, and material properties for photo-realistic rendering will be covered, as will aspects of model and camera motion.
AutoCAD II/3D Design
Course Number: VS657
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: AutoCAD level I course or equivalent work experience with permission of instructor.
This design-focused course will help students build on a basic knowledge of AutoCAD to develop computer-based, three-dimensional architectural models. All types of 3D modeling techniques, from wire frame through solids modeling, will be covered. Students will also learn techniques for organizing their drawings for optimal speed and rendering efficiency.
FormZ II/ Advanced Modeling and Rendering Version 6
Course Number: VS667
1.5 Credits
Prerequisites: FormZ I.
This is a second-level course for individuals with a basic knowledge of formZ, picking up from where formZ I/3D Modeling and Rendering leaves off. The course will experiment with different features of the formZ modeling package for architectural design, and will present the more advanced topics for 3D modeling, lighting, texturing and rendering. The course will emphasize tips, tricks and techniques that help achieve high-quality models and representations.
For more information, contact us at ce@the-bac.edu or use the Request Information link. For course availability for the current semester, use the CE course schedule link.
