Introduction to 3D Animation

Overview

Learn 3D animation essentials

Take the first step towards your career as a 3D animator

CG Spectrum’s 3D animation for beginners course prepares you for a career where no two days are the same! In this short course, you'll learn the principles of animation for film and video games with an industry mentor as your guide. You'll be animating from scratch in no time!

Why study 3D animation at CG Spectrum:

Learn how to animate even without prior knowledge
Gain confidence using industry software Maya
Be mentored by a world-class industry animator
Choose between 1-on-1 or small group classes (max 4 students)

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If you're interested in learning about animation, you've come to the right place! Whether you want to work in film, TV, or in game development, this online 3D animation for beginners course covers all of the essentials you need to get started, including the 12 Principals, body mechanics, and creating character walk cycles. You’ll finish the course with a solid foundation in 3D animation, a portfolio piece, and confidence using Maya animation software.

You’ll be personally mentored by an industry expert who will show you the latest animation and CGI tools and techniques used by top animation studios to create life-like scenes.

At CG Spectrum you'll receive highly personalized training with small class sizes and 1-on-1 private tuition. Classes are 100% online, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home, in your own time at CG Spectrum.

*This short course is the perfect way to get started in the world of 3D animation. The curriculum is exactly the same as term one of the full 3D Animation Course, so if you decide to continue after completing your certificate, you'll be one-third of the way through!

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Industry Qualification

Certificate

Study duration

3 months

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner

Prerequisites

Basic computer skills

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Included software

Autodesk Maya and animation rigs

Start date

Aug 1, 2022

Why study with us

Learn 3D animation from industry pros who have worked on feature films and best-selling games

Whether straight out of high school, changing careers, or upgrading skills, our specialized expert-led animation programs help you build practical job skills that serve throughout your career.

Industry Mentors

Learn from experts who have worked on major films and games

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical and relevant job skills that studios are looking for

Payment Plans

Pursue your passion and start working sooner with flexible payments

Curriculum

An industry-approved curriculum to get you started in the world of animation

Term 1: 12 weeks

3D Animation Foundations

Starting by learning the basics of 3D animation, then dive head-first into animation software Maya where you'll learn how to create believable animation using the classic principles of animation. You'll put theories into practice, giving you a better understanding of body mechanics and locomotion.

*This short course is the same as the term one of the full 3D Animation Course, so if you choose to continue after completing your certificate, you'll be a third of the way through!

Animate from scratch using the 12 principles of animation
Set up professional workflows using Autodesk Maya
Create progressively more complex animation pieces
Work with character rigs to create animation cycles

Introduction to Animation and Rigs
Posing a Character
Timing and Spacing
Overlapping Action
Pose Transitions 01
Pose Transitions 02
Lower Body Walk Cycle 01
Lower Body Run Cycle 02
Full Body Walk Cycle 01
Full Body Run Cycle 02
Walk with Prop 01
Walk with Prop 02

FAQS

Got questions? We've got answers.

Learn more about the prerequisites for this course and the animation careers you could explore in the future. For general questions about studying at CG Spectrum, visit the main FAQ page or contact us.

For this 3D animation course, 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 Maya.

Autodesk Maya is popular industry software used to help create many animated games, films and TV shows.

Hardware:

You will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Autodesk Maya.

These online animation classes include a weekly Q&A call with your mentor, so please have your webcam ready.

Studying 3D animation can open up a variety of career paths in the film and game industry.

This short 3D animation course will get started on your journey, but in a competitive industry, continuing your studies with the full 3D animation study pathway (3D Animation Course and Advanced 3D Animation Course) will better prepare you for a job by increasing your confidence in creating 3D animation work, and expand employment opportunities at animation studios.

The advanced course covers more complex techniques for animating 3D models, characters and creatures, and includes an entire term dedicated to career development and portfolio preparation to get you industry-ready.

Once you've honed your technical skills, some of the junior 3D animator jobs you could pursue after completing the full study pathway include:

You may also wish to learn Unreal Engine to increase your hiring potential as an animator!

Discover more about these 3D animator jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

With 20+ years in the industry, Michael has worked on countless feature films for just about every major studio around the world including DNEG, Cinesite, MPC, Weta Digital, Pixomondo and Lucasfilm.

Read full bio

Mentor of 3D Animation

Known for Pacific Rim Uprising

Pricing

Small Class

The most affordable way to learn from top industry mentors in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.

Max. 4 students per course
Affordable high-quality education
Network while you learn

Pricing

1-on-1 Private

Progress faster and enjoy more flexiblity with private mentorship. Ideal for busy schedules, career-changers, or artists upgrading skills or changing specialties.

Maximum level of mentor interaction
Greater flexibility to schedule classes
Customized learning experience

Monthly

$1,185 USD

(3 x payments)

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Save 10%

Upfront

$3,199 USD

(1 x payment)

Monthly

$1,485 USD

(3 x payments)

Most Popular

Save 10%

Upfront

$3,999 USD

(1 x payment)

Student Showcase

High quality student work that speaks for itself

With a focus on portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed. See what they are creating in our animation programs.

Studios that hire our students

Our commitment to job-outcomes and focus on career development has helped graduates find work at animation studios all over the world.

Absolutely amazing school!

I recommend it for complete newbs like I was who want to become animators. Mark Pullyblank was an amazing, kind, and helpful mentor who made sure I always knew what I was doing. He's probably one of the most dedicated teachers I know, and made sure he went over everything thoroughly with me and was quick to answer my questions. Definitely 10/10.

Andrea L
Animation

I'm learning so much and loving every minute of it!

I didn't realise how much I didn't know before joining CG Spectrum. I'm learning stuff you just can't get out of books and videos alone. You can't ask a book a question. Here, your mentors open your file and give a video critique showing different approaches and ways to improve your workflow, making sure you fully understand the lesson.

Chris E
Animation

CG Spectrum has been an instrumental part of my growth.

CG Spectrum has helped me sharpen my skills, acquire new ones and strengthen my character animation abilities. This is an invaluable experience for anyone looking to take their skills to the next level.