3D Animation & FX Diploma
Download ApplicationPFMA in partnership with 3dfilmbc (www.3dfilmbc.com) presents high quality 3d animation self paced e-learning diploma program.
Students work with professional 3d animation instructors’ via email, Skype and live messenger, while using the leading industry standard software Autodesk Maya for 36 months free when you register for this 3d diploma program. Each 3d course has a built in quiz and students’ must submit lab work for instructors to evaluate and provide feedback.
The 3D Animation & FX Diploma program begins by laying the foundation and general principal of creating 3d objects using Autodesk Maya. As students’ continue through the 3d courses they will learn more intermediate/advance skills and techniques used in the animation industry.
By completion of the 3D Animation & FX program students will use their creative imagination to develop a short animated demo reel. From concept through to completion: using methods of modeling, texturing, animating, rendering, special fx’s and more.
The 3D Animation & FX e-learning program is geared for those wanting to enter the exciting 3d Animation industry while learning from the comforts of your PC.
Graduates of this certificate program will be well-equipped and prepared to enter the exciting 3d Animation Entertainment Industry. Typical job positions you can apply for with this diploma are: 3D Artist, Texture Artist, Rigger, 3D Animator, Lighting Artist and more..
Course Descriptions:
Introduction to Autodesk Maya
This course focuses on core tools and techniques as they pertain to Mayas interface and the basics of polygon modeling. Lesson 1 By completion participants will have a basic understanding and hands on knowledge of Maya's core tools in regards to basic 3D modeling, viewport navigation, keyboards shortcuts and commands, polygon primitive creation, file management and project creation.
Lesson 2: By completion participants will have a basic and hands on knowledge of Maya's core tools in regards to basic 3D polygon modeling using tools such as the Extrude, Scale, Move tool and Polygon Modeling tool set. Participants of this course will be able to create realistic 3D models of everyday items such as sofa, chairs, tables and more….
Introduction to 3D Animation
The focus of this course provides students with the core tools required for 3D Animation using Autodesk Maya. By the completion of this course participants will be able to create 3D Animated objects using a variety or techniques such as; keyframe and path animation, students will also be introduced to tools which will aide in the believability and look and feel of their animations.
The Character Modeling
The course explores techniques and practices used currently in the 3D animation industry to develop 3D characters. Students will understand and execute correct modeling Topology. Tools covered in this course include the Merge, Extrude, Move, Scale, Rotate, Duplicate Special, Merge, Merge vertex, and Smooth tools.
Student will also explore Maya's Image Plane importing scanned picture/images for modeling into Maya. By completion of this course students will be able to model 3D Objects/character(s); Using basic tools, concepts and techniques to create industry standard low polygon 3D models. Characters modeled in this course deals strictly with the basic principals of modeling.
Introduction to Character Texturing
The course explores the tools required to achieve basic texturing in Maya, tools such as Unfold, UV Map, Planar, Cylindrical and Spherical Mapping. Students will also be introduced to Adobe Photoshop and the tools required for creating texture maps.
By completion of Introduction to Character Texturing course, students will understand and be able to create, modify and apply texture maps to 3D objects with the aide of Adobe Photoshop.
Introduction to Character Rigging
This course explores techniques; binding skins/mesh to skeletons, and setting up joints, mirror joint, joint orientation, smooth bind, skin weight; as they pertain to basic rigging of 3D model/characters. The program objective is to setup, rigging of character models in preparation for 3d animation. Tools covered in this course include the mirror joint tool, Maya artisan tool, smooth bind tool and more..
Introduction to Lighting
In the Lighting course students will learn the basics of Maya's Lighting tools such as Area light, Point light, Ambient light, Volume light, Directional light and Mental ray topics covered include shadows, fog, reflections and light bouncing.
The program objective is to create realistic lighting of 3D characters and scenes.
Introduction to Character Animation
The course introduces students to the art of character animation. The focus of the course is on the techniques for controlling skeletal movement, i.e. how the whole body moves, tools used in this course includes iK handles, locators, keyframe animation, the graph editor and basic graphic controllers.
By completion of this course student will be able to apply basic movement to their 3D characters such as run, walk and jump.
Introduction to 3D FX
The Intro to FX course introduces students to Autodesk Maya’s effects tools. These tools are used to simulated worlds, lighting effects, explosions, generate water, tornadoes and more. Most of the special effects that we see everyday in movies and on television are created in Maya.
Students will explore tools such as Particle, Rigid/Soft bodies, Fluids and more...By completion of this course student will be able to create realistic simulation and effects to enhance their 3D creations.
Introduction to demo reel
The course teaches students how to storyboard their own short engaging 10 seconds animations.
By completion students will have a short animatic video, rendered through composting software: Premiere or Final Cut Pro.
Intermediate Character Modeling
The Intermediate Character Modeling course demonstrates how to create a two legged humanoid cartoon character while maintaining good topology. Tools covered in this course includes the following; Cut Faces, Extrude, Scale, Insert Edge Loop and Split Polygon.
By completion of this course student will be able to create humanoid 3d character with details such as nose, eyes, mouth, ears, arms, hand, fingers and feet.
Intermediate Character Texturing
Intermediate Character Texturing
The course focuses on techniques such as layers separation, applying correct 3d textures and projections, custom connection and utilities.
By completion of Intermediate Character Texturing course, students will understand how to use Maya and or Photoshop to create such textures as Skin, chrome, glass, wood and more..
Intermediate Character Rigging
Creating believable character movement requires that you create control Riggs based on how the body works, students will accomplish this through techniques such as IK and FK, icon base shape controls, facial joint controls, set driven keys and more.
By completion students will be able to create skeletal Riggs for their characters needs, and personality type.
Intermediate Character Animation
Working with the tools Autodesk Maya has to offer, the character animation course demonstrates how to interpret acting and movement in 3D. From the graph editor to the dope sheet, from inverse kinematics to forward kinematics, students will learn how to take poses and create believable actions. By completion of this course student will have the skills and deeper knowledge of animation and how it applies to creating engaging and believable 3d characters.
Intermediate Lighting
Light up your scene in Autodesk Maya, create ambient and high quality shadow bounce lights bringing that dynamic cinematography elements to your animation scene.
By completion student will have a solid understanding of using Autodesk Mays’s amazing tools for lighting. Such as global illumination, final gather, mental ray, photon and caustics. While employing industry standard techniques and pipeline workflow..
Intermediate 3D FX
The Intermediate 3D FX course focuses on advancing students knowledge of Maya Effects tools; dynamic simulation, rigid body, fluids, particle, hair and fur. These industry tools are used to create dynamic effects in commercials, movies, simulations, and tv.
By completion of the course students will be able to create exploding fireworks, water/ ocean, rocket exhaust, firing bullets and more.. .
Intermediate demo reel
Intermediate Demo Reel
Students will continue from (Intro to Demo Reel) their short story animatics by taking it to the next level. Students will use their storyboard as the guideline along with our interactive video tutorials and lessons. From concept to completion in 3d using Autodesk Maya,
Advance Character Modeling
Advanced Maya Character Modeling: will take you through each step of modeling a character from head to toe while employing correct topology. Starting with photographs of a human male/female model, every step from the first polygon to the final tweak is illustrated and explained through our interactive and descriptive lessons.
Drive your skills to the next level as you learn how to create and use custom shelf throughout the modeling process that will speed up your workflow. By the end of this course, students will have completed their own version of The Dark Knight in 3d.
Advance Texturing
The Advanced Texturing course covers concepts of Autodesk Maya’s intricate shader networks and advanced UV tools, Learn to paint, apply procedural maps, create custom connections and color utilities in 3d using Autodesk Maya in combination with Adobe Photoshop.
By completion students will learn techniques to improve/create their own custom texture maps
Advance Rigging
This course covers skeleton creation and advanced character rigging processes. Starting with an overview of animation methods and skeleton setups supported by descriptive video of how to use Maya's tools for Advanced Rigging. Topics include FK/IK blending, advance controls, set driven key, morphs and more…
By completing of this course students will understand and employ the correct process/pipeline rigging workflow required to create believable 3d animations.
Demo Reel and Professional Development
Students will complete a basic resume, cover letter and portfolio for evaluation. Upon completion of this course students will have completed a 10 second engaging animation scene /movie/ video of Batman. Their version of the Dark Knight that includes animatic, 3d modeled, 3d environment, textured, rigged, animated with lights, sounds and two special effects to receive their diploma in 3d animation & fx.