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All 3D Animation courses

Fast-track your career with personalized 3D animation courses and industry mentorship.
Overview

Join the 3D animation film and games industry led by industry pros

Whether pursuing a new career path or updating your skills, our 3D animation online courses support you with career training and mentorship from professional animators. Learn to animate from scratch using Maya and graduate with a professional portfolio.

Why study 3D animation at CG Spectrum:

  • Progress faster with mentorship from professional 3D animators
  • Learn how to animate using Maya
  • Create a polished portfolio that stands out
  • Receive career support and guidance
  • Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4)
  • Study online from wherever you are

Get the highest quality education and learn the latest techniques from established 3D animators at CG Spectrum - the only 100% online 3D animation school.

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Courses

3D animation courses that get you career-ready

Kick-start your career and become a professional animator. These animation training courses are designed to give you the necessary skill set to prepare you for your animation career.

Short 3D animation courses

Peek inside the world of animation! Choose this course if you want to pick up a new hobby, learn 3D animation online and start animating your first smaller pieces using Maya and Toon Boom Harmony industry softwares.

Course structure

Pathway 1

Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 18 months.

Pathway illustration for 3D Animation (Full pathway)

Pathway 2

Not quite ready to commit? Start with the intro course and graduate with the option to continue to term 2 of the foundations course.

Pathway illustration for 3D Animation (Part pathway)

Delivery

Online classes, feedback and support

Software

Autodesk Maya and animation rigs

Classes

1-on-1 or small group classes (4 students)

Community

Lifetime access to online community of mentors, alumni and students

Mentors

Learn animation directly from our experienced 3D animation specialists

Get expert feedback and support from your industry mentor in a live Q&A call each week. All CGS mentors are established artists with years of experience creating films, TV shows, and games at top studios.

Student Showcase

Explore student work and see what you can learn at CG Spectrum

Our students create high quality work that speaks for itself. We provide you with the tools and resources to help you build a portfolio that gets noticed.

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Studios who hire our graduates
Graduate success

80% employment success rate

We're proud to say that the majority of our advanced graduates are now working in the highly competitive film and games industry.

Our courses and in-house career services are created to give you the essential skills to be job-ready after graduation. Still wondering if CG Spectrum is right for you? Chat with our student ambassadors.

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Benefits

Why study at CG Spectrum

Get a more hands-on education with mentorship from top film and game experts, an industry-approved curriculum and a thriving creative community cheering you on.

By giving you access to the most talented artists in the industry, we help you to become well connected, trained and prepared for life beyond school.

What you get when studying at CG Spectrum:

  • Get job-ready in half the time of an average degree program
  • Personalized job-focused curriculum and training
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)
  • Live call with your mentor each week + recorded video critiques
  • Flexible schedules & 100% online, study from anywhere!

Progress faster with expert feedback from mentors and join an inspiring and supportive community of industry experts and peers.

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About us

The CG Spectrum difference

Our mission is to make sure our students are best prepared for a successful career when they graduate.

We strive to provide affordable, high quality and personalized education and believe in the power of learning first-hand from industry experts who already established a fantastic career.

What makes CG Spectrum unique:

  • Career services to accelerate your journey
  • Quality education at a fraction of the time and cost of university
  • Software licenses included, no additional costs
  • Direct access to industry mentors with years of film & game experience
  • Supportive and active community of peers, alumni & mentors

As an online school with students and mentors in 90+ countries, we're proud to bring the industry to you - wherever you are in the world!

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Frequently asked questions

FAQs about 3D animation

Should I study 2D or 3D animation?

Choosing between 2D and 3D animation comes down to personal preference. 2D animation tends to suit people who are more artistic in nature, whereas 3D animation often suits those with a more technical mind. 

2D requires a large amount of illustration, as every frame needs to be drawn, either on a digital tablet or hand drawn. 3D Animation requires creating movement via 'rigs', where a 3D model is essentially given a skeleton that can be manipulated in a virtual 3D space.

Can I learn both 2D and 3D animation?

Yes you can. CG Spectrum offers beginner animation courses in both 2D and 3D animation, however it is not recommended to do both at the same time, unless you can dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week for each course.

What 3D animation careers can I explore post graduation?

Learning 3D animation can prepare you for jobs as a 3D Animator, Character Rigger, Character Animator, Creature Animator, Previs Animator or Layout Artist. Explore other animation jobs.

Do I need to be good at drawing to be a 3D animator?

No, you don't need to know how to draw to do 3D animation. Many professional 3D animators don't consider themselves particularly good at drawing. What you do need is a strong understanding of the principles of animation and how they can be applied in a three-dimensional environment. You also need to be able to think creatively to come up with original ideas for your animations, and know how to use software like Autodesk Maya to bring your animations to life.

Does 3D animation require coding?

No, 3D animation does not require coding.