Student work: Jarrard Lee
With an industry mentor as your guide, you'll learn to build polished 3D characters, creatures, assets and environments with ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter and kick-start your career with a strong portfolio.
Why learn 3D modeling at CG Spectrum:
Progress faster with mentorship from talented digital sculptors and graduate with the skills to pursue a career in film and games. See how our courses work in the video below.
Plan studies around your work and family commitments
Learn from experts who have worked on major films and games
Build practical job skills studios are hiring for
Pursue your passion and start working sooner
Get more out of your education! Industry-approved curriculum, live weekly sessions with your mentor, personalized feedback on your work, plus a supportive online community cheering you on.
CG Spectrum's online 3D modeling courses are a complete study pathway to help you become a 3D modeler for films and video games! Discover how to create industry-standard models using ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter - powerful tools used by many studios. Gain speed and confidence, acquire critical job skills and graduate with a strong portfolio.
3 MONTHS
Course summary:
This short course covers all the 3D modeling for beginners essentials: navigating Maya’s interface, understanding professional workflows, commonly used tools, and building 3D assets from scratch. You'll get to know the differences between film and video game models, learn high poly 3D modeling techniques and how to convert your models for video games, and add textures in Substance Painter.
By the end of this course you'll know how to set up proper workflows in Maya, retopologize objects for clean line flow, create hard surface assets for film & games, and texture and present your work.
Note: This short course is also the first term of the Foundations of 3D Modeling Course, so you’ll be one-third of the way through if you choose to continue!
6-9 MONTHS
Course summary:
Build on your foundation with more complex exercises focusing on creature, character, environment and hard surface modeling.
Learn 3D character modeling for video games and film using human anatomy basics, and create a game ready, fully textured 3D character with hair, clothing, and accessories. Next, you’ll get an environment concept design and build a 3D environment from scratch. Finish off by texturing and lighting your environment for your portfolio.
In the last term, you'll apply your character modeling skills to digitally sculpt a creature using Zbrush. Detail it with skin, scales and fur using various techniques. Play with hard surface objects like weapons, armor and vehicles and practice creating clean, smooth surfaces. Find out how hard surface objects differ from organic models, and how to pose and render your creature for presentation. Finish with a few new pieces for your portfolio!
Note: The Introduction to 3D Modeling Certificate is embedded in this course. If you complete the 3-month introductory course, you'll be one-third of the way through if you choose to continue.
9 MONTHS
Course summary:
Learn advanced skills studios are hiring for and gain speed in Zbrush, Houdini, Maya and Substance Painter.
This advanced 3D modeling course you'll learn how to create a fully rendered character for film and for games. Using human anatomy principles you'll jump right into creating a character with believable form and proportions. Next, you'll learn how to retopologize your character to reduce poly-count and develop clean geometry while adding clothing, accessories and details to create a completely textured and rendered character for your portfolio.
Time to learn environment modeling for film and video games and have a go at building your own digital scene. Create a base mesh using procedural techniques in Houdini, explore organic modeling by creating rocks, trees, and foliage, and find out how to use them effectively in your scene. Discover proper UV unwrapping techniques to texture large environments.
Your final term is dedicated to career development and portfolio preparation so you graduate ready for your career as a 3D modeler for film and games!
2 YEARS
Course summary:
Get ready to embark on an exhilarating creative odyssey with our Bachelor of Animation and VFX, specializing in 3D Modeling. In this immersive program, you'll dive deep into the captivating realm of digital artistry, where you'll master the intricate craft of 3D modeling.
As a 3D Modeling specialist, you'll become the architect of virtual worlds, shaping lifelike characters, intricate environments, and stunning visual effects that transport audiences to entirely new dimensions. Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, you'll learn the art of creating mesmerizing 3D assets, from characters to props, that breathe life into animations and VFX projects.
By the time you graduate, you'll not only have a stunning portfolio showcasing your mastery of 3D modeling but also the skills, insights, and creative flair to thrive in the ever-evolving animation and VFX industry. Your journey to shaping the future of animation and visual effects begins here, where every stroke of your digital brush sparks a world of imagination!
Get direct access to passionate industry professionals with years of experience working with major clients and studios.
Bryan's award winning experience includes lead positions at ILM and Rhythm & Hues working films like The Golden Compass, Rango, Pacific Rim, and Transformers 2 and 3.
Curriculum Manager of 3D Modeling
Known for Pacific Rim
ILM Modeler and Digital Artist, Hamza's worked on blockbusters like Ford v Ferrari, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Captain Marvel, Tomb Raider, Thor: Ragnarok and Logan.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Captain Marvel
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.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Thor: Love and Thunder
Australian based 3D artist Rajbir has worked at D-Neg, ILM, Digital Domain and Rising Sun on features like Spider-Man: Far from Home, Thor: Ragnarok, Alien: Covenant, Logan, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Godzilla.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Alien: Covenant
First a texture artist at Nickelodeon, then a 3D character artist at Gameloft, Anton is ahead of the curve when using emerging software for real-time graphics and film production.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Penguins of Madagascar
Before becoming the senior environment artist on Apex Legends, Matt worked at EA, Digital Domain, ILM, MPC, Method and Cinesite on films like Aquaman, Ratchet & Clank and triple-A game FIFA 2017.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Aquaman
From major Disney hits like Frozen, Zootopia, and Wreck-it Ralph to Disneyland theme park rides, Jon's 20 years in the business have made him an accomplished environment artist.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Zootopia
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.
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for Werewolf: the Apocalypse
Mentor of 3D Modeling
Known for The Batman
With a focus on 3D modeling portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed.
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.
I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience at CG Spectrum.
I recently finished Introduction to 3D Modeling course. I went in with about a year’s worth of other online 3D modeling courses, but nothing compared to CG Spectrum. I learnt so much from this course, and I had an amazing mentor (Anton Tenitsky) who pushed me to perfection. It was the best decision I made in order to pursue my end goal. I took the next step and enrolled in the advanced course!
The course material covers a lot in a shorter time frame.
I was really happy with the constructive feedback given to me by my mentor for a 1-on-1 Introduction to 3D Modeling program. The industry tips and workflows recommended helped me get a more robust understanding of workflow fundamentals. I'd recommend CG Spectrum for the calibre of training.
One of the best learning experiences of my life.
In less than a year I was able to achieve results I could never imagine!
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.
I've just accepted an internship role at Pixar!
As my final semester of the Advanced 3d Modeling course is coming to an end, I've just accepted an internship role at Pixar! I've learned so much over the past year and am thrilled to have the skills now to make a career change for my dream job. I'm excited to begin this new phase of my journey—thanks so much CG Spectrum!
If you're considering a career change for the CG Industry, try CG Spectrum. You won't regret it!
I wanted to give special thanks to Maxine, for all her time and guidance. Maxine will go out of her way to help guide you! She will take the time to listen to your specific drives, needs and weaknesses, then help you set your goals and craft methodologies to fulfill them. I am really thankful to Maxine for all her unconditional help!
I'd like to thank Maxine for how genuinely dedicated she is, and her helpfulness and attentiveness towards students.
Recently, not only did Maxine set up a well organized career info session for the students, she went above and beyond to take very thorough notes on the entire presentation for students to refer back to. All the staff and students in the CG Spectrum community are super friendly, responsive, and supportive. You can always find the help you need.
Exceeded all my expectations!
CG Spectrum is an excellent online college. I had the best modeling course there!
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!
Email: hello@cgspectrum.com