3D Graphics & Animation Certificate

3D design has become an integral part of the graphics, art and multimedia industry. 3D graphics and animation are used in virtual environments, computer games, film productions, presentations, medical illustrations, architectural visualizations and on the web.

Our 3D Animation Certificate course covers all the techniques involved to create 3D objects and short animations. Due to the low entry level, the short duration and practical teaching method this is one of the fastest entries to the world of 3D graphics.

During this 6 months course, practical classroom projects and weekly homework assignments are used to slowly build up students' skill and confidence in all the different areas. Within a few weeks students are able to build simple models, texture them and create camera based animations. These basic skills are then built on, exploring modeling tools and techniques, working in Photoshop to create high quality texture maps, understanding lighting techniques, and basic development of character animation.

The main application used during this course is Autodesk Maya.

Main modules covered during this course:

Modelling

From combining simple shapes to creating organic structures, over the weeks students are introduced to tools and techniques to be able to build structures quickly and efficiently.

Texturing

Models are brought to life by applying materials to them giving them texture and properties such as transparency and reflection.

Lightning

Understanding which lights and shadows to use and using Global Lighting and HDRI's to create highly realistic scenes. This area has advanced dramatically over the last few years fuelled by developments in the games industry.

Cameras

The principles of camera work in the real world apply to a 3D program as well. Therefore, students are taught classic camera techniques. The 3D world however offers the possibility to create camera shots that would be difficult to achieve in the real world and students are encouraged to utilize these possibilities to achieve more dynamic animations.

Animating

More and more powerful features are available to the 3D animator, but basic animation principles still apply, so the course moves from simple key frame animation, to more advanced animations; creating walking characters, building animation rigs to control the animations and creating worlds where objects react to gravity and collisions.

Rendering

Creating a finished movie or still image is the final stage of a 3D project and students are shown how to choose the right format for their project from creating high realistic movies/images to a hand drawn look or cartoon effect.