Overview

Learn 3D visualization online

Study to become a 3D visualization artist for archviz, product visualization, industrial visualization, and beyond!

Transform your ideas into 3D-rendered scenes with our beginner 3D visualization course. With technical and creative training from industry experts, learn 3ds Max software essentials, including hotkeys, along with 3D modeling, lighting, shading, and rendering fundamentals. 

Benefits of studying at CG Spectrum:
  • We are a Chaos Academic Partner
  • Mentorship from industry pros 
  • Job-focused curriculum and 100% online
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)

[more]More[/more]

CG Spectrum brings you a job-focused study pathway to ensure you are well-positioned to enter the diverse field of 3D visualization—including architecture visualization, product visualization, industrial visualization, film, and games.

Expect training with personalized feedback and mentorship from professionals with years of industry experience. After completing this beginner's course, continue along the study pathway with the more in-depth Foundations of 3D Visualization Course.  

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Qualification

Certificate

Study duration

12 weeks

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner

Prerequisites

Basic computer skills

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Software

3ds Max, V-Ray

Start date

Jan 8, 2024

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Why study with us

Study 3D visualization led by professional visualization artists.

Our mentors have the right knowledge, experience, and talent to help guide you toward an enriching career in 3D visualization including archviz, product visualization, industrial visualization, and film and games. Build the skills studios are seeking.

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from industry experts who have worked at top studios

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

Progress faster with industry-approved career training and personalized mentorship

Term 1: 12 weeks

FOUNDATIONS 1: ESSENTIALS OF 3D VISUALIZATION

In this introductory course, you'll learn the fundamentals of industry software 3ds Max and V-Ray, building 3D modeling and 3D rendering skills. You'll get to model, texture, and light digital kitchen items, blocking them out in a 3D virtual scene using physical cameras, and adjusting focal lengths to achieve better results.

Note: This short course is also the first term of our more comprehensive course, Foundations of 3D Visualization, so you’ll be one-third of the way through if you choose to continue your studies.

  • How to use essential 3ds Max and V-Ray features
  • Basic modeling and texturing skills
  • Scene planning and composition
  • Overview of 3D visualization production pipelines
  1. Introduction to 3D Visualization
  2. Introduction to 3D Modeling
  3. Lighting and Rendering Fundamentals
  4. Material and Shader Basics
  5. Understanding Procedural Textures
  6. Texture Projection Methods
  7. Decals, Enmesh and IPR Rendering
  8. Splines For Architectural Visualization
  9. Hard Surface Modeling
  10. Blockout and Planning
  11. Introduction to Production Workflows
  12. Production Workflows Continued
Course structure

Your pathway to the industry

Pathway illustration for Visualization (Full pathway)
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Mentor

Get weekly personalized feedback from a 3D visualization pro

Our mentors have years of 3D visualization industry experience across archviz, product visualization, games, and digital fashion, and have worked for clients including Epic Games, Audi, Nespresso, and ICONIQ.

Study Options

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
Study Options

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)

Monthly
$1,750 USD

(3 x payments)

Frequently asked questions

3D Visualization Essentials Course FAQs

Any student enrolling in this course will need to have basic computer literacy (i.e. knows how to use a computer and operate everyday applications such as email, Zoom, and Slack).

This short course is the same as the first term of our more comprehensive course, Foundations of 3D Visualization, so you’ll be one-third of the way through if you choose to continue your studies.

You will also need a computer that meets the minimum specifications—see the next question for more information.

Software:

You will need 3ds Max and V-Ray to participate in this course.  Instructions on how to obtain an educational license for these programs will be supplied upon enrollment for the course.

Hardware:

Students will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Autodesk 3ds Max and Chaos V-Ray

The software and skills you will be learning in this course do not require a background in architecture.

What we teach you can definitely be applied to architecture, if you desire, and can help you work towards a career in architectural visualization (archviz), if that is your goal.

If you choose the 1-on-1 private mentorship option, then yes, you can decide to skip and adjust the pacing with your mentor.

Yes! 3D modeling is a significant part of 3D visualization, and we welcome modelers to our course.

If you have previous 3D modeling experience, you may not need to take the Introduction to Visualization Course and could enroll straight in term 2 of the Foundations of 3D Visualization Course. However, the intro course may still be beneficial if you are unfamiliar with the software we teach (3ds Max and V-Ray).

Term 2 is currently not available to start in July; you will have to wait until later in the year (please reach out to our admissions team for more details).

 

This short course will get you started on your journey as a 3D visualization artist, but in a competitive industry, continuing your studies with terms 2 and 3 of the more comprehensive Foundations of 3D Visualization Course will better prepare you for a job and help increase your employment opportunities.

The Foundations course covers more complex techniques and includes personalized career services and 1-on-1 time with our Career Development Manager which can help when applying for junior positions in architectural visualization, production visualization, and other roles across a range of industries. 

Discover more about the different roles in visualization, including software and salary expectations on our careers page:

Student Showcase

See what our students are creating!

With a focus on portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed. 

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Studios that hire our students