3D Modeling Principles
Build comprehensive 3D modeling skills with a professional artist as your guide
Become a 3D modeler for film and games with training from industry pros
Start your journey as a 3D artist, learning modeling, digital sculpting, and texturing from film and game experts. This course teaches you industry-quality asset creation, using Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter to build 3D characters, environment, and props.
Why study 3D modeling with us:
- Start modeling in 3D without any prior knowledge
- Learn to use industry-standard tools
- Be mentored by a world-class industry expert
- Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)
Whether you want to work in film or games, 3D Modeling Principles will train you in the latest tools and techniques used in top studios across the globe. And you'll be supported by your industry mentor every step of the way.

Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.
Our mission is to ensure graduates are the best trained and best prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.
Same Course. Same Mentors. Two Ways to Train.
1:1 Career Mentorship
Train with a working professional focused entirely on you, reviewing your work every week the way a supervisor reviews a junior artist. Immediate, specific, tailored to exactly where you are. You set the pace, push past the set curriculum where you need to, and start the month you are ready.
WHO IS THIS FOR
- Working professionals looking to upskill or pivot without leaving their job
- Experienced artists who need targeted training in a specific tool or technique
- Students who benefit from personalised instruction due to additional learning needs
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Private 1-hour weekly sessions with a dedicated mentor |
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Flexible scheduling and pacing that fits around your life |
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Personalised feedback on your portfolio and career direction |
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Start any month, no waiting for a cohort |
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No prerequisites, assessments, or fixed cohort schedule |
Group Class
Learn in a small group led by a working professional, with everyone's work reviewed every week the way a studio team operates. You grow alongside people chasing the same goals, sharpening your eye on their work as well as your own, and keep the momentum that comes from not working alone.
WHO IS THIS FOR
- Students who learn better in collaborative, social environments
- Career changers who want structure and accountability while they transition
- Recent school leavers looking for an alternative to a traditional university degree
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Weekly 3-hour live classes with a small cohort of peers |
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Collaborative group projects that simulate studio team workflows |
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Structured curriculum with assessments and deadlines that keep you on track |
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Watch your work reviewed next to your peers', and learn from their feedback |
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Credits transfer directly toward a CGSI degree |
Course Curriculum
3D Art and Asset Production
Dive into 3D modeling and real-time rendering with Maya, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine 5. You’ll build foundational skills in scale, proportion, and asset creation before advancing to high-poly modeling, UV unwrapping, and PBR texturing. You’ll also import assets, set up materials, lighting, and renders in Unreal Engine 5 to complete your first game-ready asset.
- Master Maya’s interface and essential modeling tools
- Explore high-poly and low-poly modeling techniques
- Create realistic textures in Substance Painter
- Set up materials, lighting, and presentation shots in Unreal Engine
- Introduction to Modelling
- Modelling Tools and Workflows
- UV Layout and Texturing
- Prop Development
- Detailed Modelling
- Detailed Texturing
- Modelling Project
- Custom Modelling Techniques
- Intermediate Prop Modelling
- Scene Detailing
- Organic Modelling
- Presentation Techniques
Character and Environment Modelling
Build 3D models for games, from characters to environments. Learn retopology, UV mapping, and modular workflows while mastering trim sheets and PBR texturing. Create game-ready characters and detailed environments, then bring them to life with materials, lighting, and rendering in Unreal Engine. Finish the term with a polished in-engine presentation of your work.
- Model, retopologize, and UV game-ready characters for 3D environments
- Master environment modeling using modular workflows and trim sheets
- Apply PBR texturing techniques for realistic game assets
- Present a polished character and full environment scene in-engine
- Overview and Body Blocking
- Character Block Mesh
- High Poly Mesh
- Low Poly Mesh and UV Mapping
- Look Dev and Presentation
- Project Finalisation
- Architectural DNA & Block-out
- Intro to Trims
- Sculpting High Poly Trims and Re-baking
- Texturing Trim Set in Substance Painter
- Modelling the Gazebo Using Trims
- Environment Project Finalizing
Creature and Hard Surface Modelling
Learn the fundamentals of ZBrush and build a strong foundation in digital sculpting. Start with navigation, interface, and essential tools, then explore core sculpting techniques and subdivision workflows. You'll practice both organic and hard surface modeling using ZModeler, IMM, and Curve brushes, and deformers. By the end of the term, you will have a sculpted project to add to your portfolio.
- How to apply new brush tools and techniques in ZBrush
- How to create both organic and hard surface models
- Effective use of ZModeler
- Posing, rendering, and presenting a polished 3D sculpt
- Getting Started in Zbrush
- UI and Navigation: Subtools and Resolution
- UI and Navigation: The Brush System
- Masking and Symmetry
- Gizmo Manipulation and Polygroups
- Custom Hotkeys
- Revision Week
- Using ZModeler
- Insert Brushes and Curve Brushes
- Gizmo Deformers
- Tools Application
- Polypaint, Materials, and Rendering
Download the Course Guide
Your creative journey begins here! Download our comprehensive course guide and discover the exciting educational opportunities that await you.Learn Directly From Film & Game Mentors
To be the best, it helps to learn from the best. All 3D modeling classes are taught by professional 3D modelers with years of experience.

Aaron Villarreal
Aaron Villarreal has spent 16 years building 3D assets at studios including Bethesda, Arkane, Raven Software, and Blizzard, with credits across Dishonored 2, World of Warcraft, Redfall, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. As a CGSI 3D Modeling mentor, he helps students push their work past hobbyist polish into the topology, UVs, and detail discipline that production game art demands.
Known for Indiana Jones

Abraao Segundo
Abraao Segundo brings 16 years of game art experience from studios including ILM, DICE, Avalanche, Respawn, The Coalition, and Warner Bros. Games. His credits include Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Battlefield 2042, Gears 5, Marvel's Avengers, and Injustice 2. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students with a focus on the asset standards major studios actually expect on day one.
Known for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Anna Beganskaya
Since 2015, Anna has worked as a 3D character artist at Riot Games, Sirship Syndicate, and Blizzard, on titles including League of Legends (merch), Darksiders Genesis, Heroes of the Storm, and Ruined King.
Known for Heroes of the Storm

Anton Tenitsky
Anton Tenitsky dreamed of working in the CG field from the age of 15 and went on to realise that vision after graduating from Massey University in New Zealand. Following his graduation, he built an industry career by working as a texture artist for Nickelodeon's Penguins of Madagascar and various other cartoon series, later transitioning into the casual gaming market as a 2D/3D artist for industry giant Gameloft. Most recently, he worked as a 3D concept designer on the AAA game Marvel Rivals. Today, he channels this extensive studio background into his role as a CG Spectrum mentor, where he guides aspiring artists through industry-standard workflows, providing the personalised feedback and practical skills needed to break into the professional gaming and animation sectors.
Known for Marvel Rivals

Bobby Rice
Bobby Rice has spent 21 years building game environments and assets at Rockstar, Pandemic Studios, Ready at Dawn, and Activision's Elsewhere Entertainment. His credits include Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto VI, and The Order: 1886. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students at the standards expected on some of the most demanding open-world pipelines in the industry.
Known for Red Dead Redemption II

Chris Flynn
Chris has worked in the 3D industry for 12 years and is now a Senior 3D Lead Artist at Dekogon Studios where he leads teams of artists ranging from 2 to 30 at any given time.
Known for Werewolf: the Apocalypse

Dylan Ekren
Dylan Ekren has spent 11 years modelling for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Netflix, with credits on Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Encanto. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the precision, story-driven design, and topology discipline behind feature animation pipelines.
Known for Ralph Breaks the Internet

Ehsan Ebrahimzadeh
Ehsan has built environments for games since 2009, on titles including Shadow Blade: Reload, Redfall, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. He is currently a Senior Artist at Bethesda Game Studios.
Known for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Fiona Wong
Fiona is a Lead Environment Artist at Framestore in Canada, working in feature films and TV with over 7 years of experience in the industry and most recently, on Thor: Love and Thunder.
Known for Thor: Love and Thunder

Greg Smith
Greg Smith has spent 16 years building game environments and assets at studios including Bethesda, Arkane Studios, and Dekogon, with credits on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Redfall, Remnant II, Sons of the Forest, 7 Days to Die, and Open Roads. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset craft and pipeline discipline that ships in modern AAA and AA productions.
Known for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Hong Lim
Hong Lim mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students, bringing 21 years of game and film art experience to the asset craft and pipeline discipline expected at production studios.
Known for Overwatch

John Olofinskiy
John Olofinskiy mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students, drawing on nine years of game art experience to help them lift their work to production-ready standards.
Known for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Matteo Sala
Matteo is a Senior Character and Creature Modeler at Framestore, London. With a background in traditional sculpture and creature design, he can bring a character from the concept stage to a final, production-ready asset.
Known for The Batman

Mersad Fazeli
Mersad Fazeli has spent 14 years working in game art at studios including Remedy Entertainment, 11 bit studios, and Silkroad Studios, with credits on Frostpunk 2 and The Alters. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset craft and visual cohesion that defines studios with a strong creative identity.
Known for Frostpunk 2

Nick Barone
Nick Barone has spent 16 years building game art at Turtle Rock Studios, Wargaming, Relic Entertainment, and Phoenix Labs, with credits on World of Tanks. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset standards and pipeline discipline that competitive game studios expect.
Known for World of Tanks

Rudy Massar
Rudy Massar brings 26 years of high-end VFX and game art experience from ILM, Sony Imageworks, Framestore, MPC, Massive Black, and Sony PlayStation. His credits run across Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, The Mandalorian (with a VES nomination for animated character work), ABBA Voyage, Mufasa: The Lion King, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Ready Player One, Cinderella, Aladdin, the Killzone franchise, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Godzilla. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students at the standard set by some of the world's most demanding pipelines.
Known for The Mandalorian
Get The Education You Deserve
"CG Spectrum seemed too good to be true. Looking back, it was the best decision.
Every mentor and staff member has been so hands-on and directly involved in my learning. Co-Directors of top box office movies and supervisors of major Netflix TV shows are giving me feedback on my projects. Students also have access to a strong community, and an awesome career class to prepare you for your dream job."
Stephanie S | 3D Modeling
"Having unlimited access to industry experts offers a treasure trove of learning opportunities for aspiring artists.
Learning new or different software is not the hard part. What matters is making the most of whatever tools you know in the most effective manner. That is how my education helped me in my career, delivering results in the smartest way possible with whatever options available."
Danish A | 3D Modeling
"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.
Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.
Benjamin O | 3D Modeling
"I got a job offer at a major feature film studio before even graduating!
Studying at CG Spectrum gave me the opportunity to network with industry artists while I was learning, and coupled with the amazing course, I was able to secure a position in the industry. Now I'm working on amazing projects in my dream job!"
Andi E | 3D Modeling
"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!
I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"
Kasia P | 3D Modeling
Join Our Alumni at World Class Studios
Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates, ensuring they are prepared for a successful career in the industry. Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.












Questions? We Have Answers
Age Minimum
The general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.
Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.
English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.
Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).
Software:
Students can sign up for an educational license for Autodesk Maya and Substance Painter for their whole course.
Zbrush Core will need to be purchased for use in the last term.
Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for this software will be provided upon enrollment.
Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enrollment.
Hardware:
You will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Autodesk Maya, Substance Painter, and Pixologic ZBrush. A minimum of 32GB RAM is ideal.
You will also require a compatible graphics tablet with a stylus (see Digital Art Equipment for some recommendations).
This course gives you an excellent understanding of 3D modeling fundamentals, and depending on your level of commitment, skills, and portfolio pieces, you may be ready to start applying for entry-level artist positions.
To further hone your skills and increase your hiring potential, the 3D Modeler Specialization is recommended. It covers more complex techniques and includes an entire term dedicated to career development and building your portfolio to prepare you for junior 3D modeling jobs such as:
Students also gain access to additional career services to support them in their job hunt. The CG Spectrum community is another great resource—you can network and find out about game development job vacancies through graduates and mentors already working in the industry.
Discover more about these 3D modeling jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:
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