Certificate 3D Animation & Visual Effects

Overview of our 1-Year 3D & Visual Effects Program

Our One-Year in 3-D Animation Program is a comprehensive training in 3D using industry standard software such as Maya, Mudbox, ZBrush, and Nuke.

Students in the Academy’s One-Year in 3-D Animation Program get the opportunity to learn the technical and artistic tools in 3-D animation and visual effects for film, video, and content creation.

Preparation

No previous 3D or animation experience is required. However, studio art or computer experience is helpful. Basic familiarity with a computer graphic program such as Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop is recommended. Free student copies of Maya and Mudbox are available for download here. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this software.

Core Curriculum

Over the course of the year, students learn the essential aspects of animation, from storyboard to final movie. Students also get the opportunity to delve into the realm of visual effects and go deeper into advanced modeling techniques.

Students will learn the essentials of preparing a template for an animated movie or sequence. The amount of labor, hard work, and attention to detail required to make even a short animated movie necessitates an exacting and exhaustive amount of preparation before the modeling; animation, lighting, and much more even to begin. In order to create their own original productions, students are required to learn and master the software programs Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects. In addition, they study subjects including Screenwriting, Storyboard, and Character Design.

Upon completing the foundations for the creation of their movie, students will focus on the next stage of the process, using software that includes Maya, Mudbox, and ZBrush. (Please note that our software may change as new methods for animation evolve and we continue to use industry standard products). For instance, ZBrush and Mudbox are now used extensively in both movie and video game production. In addition, students will study subjects that include Drawing and Anatomy, Acting for Animation, Lighting, Materials, Textures, Animation, Rendering, Editing, and 3D Modeling and Sculpture.

As the year progresses students begin developing a final project that showcases a primary area of interest, be it modeling, animation VFX, or a combination thereof. Students are introduced to motion capture as part of the animation pipeline while also refining concepts learned in the Compositing I class. Visual effects are an essential part of the movie industry and are used for integrating computer generated characters and particle systems, such as fluids and explosions into live action shots. All of the major aspects of VFX are included in our one-year conservatory program, including the software programs Nuke, Maya, and Motion Builder. In addition, students will cover such subjects as Motion Capture, Green Screen, Compositing, Dynamics, Advanced CG Lighting, Scripting, Compositing, and Motion Tracking. Adequate time is made available for students to finish final projects and demonstrate a mastery of their particular area of interest.