3D Animation & Visual Effects

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This program builds on the foundations of animation, visual effects, and virtual reality through the exploration of content creation, manipulation, and special effects.

 
 
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Next start date

April 2, 2024

*In-Person Classes*

3 Spots Remaining


 

3D studies the techniques and tools for producing the next generation of 3D Animation & Visual Effects. 3D Animation builds on the foundations of high-end modeling, texturing, animation, virtual reality, and advanced motion graphics through the exploration of content creation, manipulation, and visual effects. Pixel Blue College's 3D program prepares students for various opportunities in the 3D Animation & Visual Effects industry. Students will be able to find work in architectural engineering, 3D gaming, broadcast, film and television, virtual reality, and many other industries that have a 3D application.

This field is continuing to expand and now includes many other industries and therefore offers great growth opportunities for graduates with 3D Animation & Visual Effects skills. Using the latest software and hardware tools is just one of the ways Pixel Blue College is changing the face of education. This program offers an unprecedented amount of available lab time enabling students to create better demo reels and perfect their 3D skills.

Some possible career options after the course are 3D Animator, Video Game Modeler, Video Game Designer, Film and Television Production, Special Effects Artist, Character Designer, Production Artist, Multimedia Developer, Game Environment Artist, Visual Effects Designer, Motion Designer, Architectural Designer, Landscape Architecture, and Visual Design Consultant.

 
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Tuition Costs

The tuition for the 3D Animation & Visual Effects Diploma Program is $19,995 CAD. This covers the costs of 6 months in-class instruction (850 hours), the use of a personal computer, all the required course materials, including textbooks.

Equipment, Tools, and Software

Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Pixologic ZBrush

 
 
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Pixel Blue 3D graduates

A look at what some of our 3D graduates are up to now.

 
 

Don Arceta

Art Director
Playground Games

Val Dufour

Manager, 3D Substance
Adobe

Martina Goodyear

VFX Artist
Inflexion Games

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Student Work

Through personalized, one-on-one critiques and group sessions, students are able to improve their craft under the guidance of talented instructors and the support of creative classmates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Program Curriculum

Modeling

The first steps are building familiarity with the interface and fundamentals in construction and building an eye for proportion and accuracy, while paying attention to efficiency. Each project has its own unique challenges and using a variety of techniques we problem solve problematic solutions. Models that clients/employers need end up in a variety of end uses, from product display, scientific illustration, to video games, we discuss throughout these modules the limitations and applications of techniques based on these myriad of variables, how they differ, and how they are the same. Students will develop the confidence and knowledge to build anything, for any purpose.

Texturing

Up until this point, students have been working with mostly grey models. The use of Shaders and Textures add a whole new level of interest and detail. Various methods of texture creation will be discussed, from photo manipulation to hand painting techniques. Students will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop relating texturing techniques to 3D specific workflows. Students will also be introduced to Adobe's Substance Designer & Painter, two programs often used in games for the creation of high quality and efficient textures.

Lighting

This module will explore lighting inside of Maya. We will discuss the properties that Maya uses to describe the lights, and how that relates to the real world. We examine the camera inside Maya and how composition and lensing effects capture our images. Advanced rendering techniques will also be introduced, such as render passes and AOVs and their application in programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.

Virtual Reality Sculpting using Oculus Rift

With the growing demand for virtual reality in the 3D industry, students will explore the tools and techniques for VR sculpting using the Oculus Rift. This module will cover a variety of components including: the key differences between digital and traditional sculpting, philosophies on form and modeling, techniques and software for digital sculpting, integrating VR into the traditional pipeline, practical applications of this technology within the workplace, and the future of VR.

Animation & Visual Effects

Exploring the fundamentals of animation, students will apply them in various situations. Students will also learn the basics of rigging, hierarchy and constraints inside of Maya. Introduction to animation techniques will also introduce students to Adobe After Effects and visual effects. These are typically smaller animations of objects and characters as students begin to work in digital compositing where students will use footage from the real world. Often these types of animations and visual effects are applied to high tech scientific explainers, product visualization for “look development” and motion graphics.

Production & Visual Effects Techniques

With most of the creative process tackled in smaller chunks, it is time to combine them in a larger creative project. Communication of a final idea is paramount when working with clients or co-workers when completing larger projects. Starting with the basic concept, we carry a project from inception to completion. Along the way we will have milestones and group discussions potentially affecting or altering the outcome of the final project. Students learn to take an individual idea and bring it all the way to a client presentation while learning the role of art direction in their work.

Four Second Fridays

Often, time is of the essence, in the “real world’ and clients come at you with insane deadlines for things that are either out of their control or with something that slipped through the cracks. We go through several quick exercises to sharpen our skills and reflexes through a series of short projects taken from inception to completion in a very brief and intense period, while keeping focus on applying the principles learned in class.

Weekly Models

Students are encouraged to experiment with a variety of techniques in self-study and exploration, this is not always a high priority, and, as such we have weekly challenges. Students build a variety of mundane objects from the real world and discuss their application and challenges in a group environment. The students need to be comfortable providing feedback, taking criticism, and building working relationships with their peers.

Demo Reel Creation

What is a demo reel? It is a compilation of your work that is focused in your chosen discipline. You can say you are a really great Animator or Modeler on your resume, but people want to see what you are capable of. The last part of the course focuses on putting that creation into motion. Taking in other demo reels, analyzing them, breaking them down and figuring out what works and what doesn’t and apply that analysis to creating your own reel.



The 3D Animation & Visual Effects Diploma Program Curriculum also includes 20 hours of Career Development, with Pixel Blue College’s Employment Specialist.

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Ready to begin your application?

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