3D Animation Essentials
Learn 3D animation online with leading industry expert animation training
Kick-start your training as a 3D animator for film and games
This online 3D animation for beginners course will teach you how to move and manipulate 3D characters for film, TV, and video games. You'll uncover the 12 Principles of Animation, learn body mechanics, and create character walk cycles.
Why study 3D animation with us:
- 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)
With guidance from a professional 3D animator, you'll gain confidence in how to navigate specialized animation software Autodesk Maya and finish the course with your first portfolio piece.
Your Pathway to the Industry
This short course is equivalent to term one of the Foundations course. On completion of the Essentials course, if you decide to progress further with your studies, you'll enroll straight into term two of the corresponding Foundations course which means you'll already be one-third of the way through your studies! Continue your learning journey towards an exciting career in the industry by enrolling into the Foundations Career Track.
Michael Morgan
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.
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Pacific Rim Uprising
Mark Pullyblank
Mark has held lead positions at Rainmaker, Sony and Weta Digital working on films like Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin, and Night at the Museum.
Dept. Head of 3D Animation
Known for Avatar
Ambre Maurin
Ambre has worked as an animator in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada on projects like LEGO Avengers, Happy Feet Two, Avatar and Where the Wild Things Are.
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Avatar
Roland Vallet
Roland has worked his way across the globe at major studios like Weta Digital, where he worked on two Planet of The Apes movies, The Hobbit Trilogy, and Avengers: Infinity War.
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Avengers: Infinity War
Amita Sahgal
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Ted
Nick Unden
Nick's held lead positions at major game studios Relic Entertainment and Phoenix Labs. Credits include Dauntless, Dawn of War 3 and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City.
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Dauntless
Jacob Patrick
Jacob is an award-winning director, writer, and animator who now works at Walt Disney Imagineering. Credits include Red Dead Redemption, God of War III, Batman: Arkham Origins, The Jungle Book, and The Flash.
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Batman: Arkham Origins
Carlos Rosas
Mentor of 3D Animation
Known for Venom
The career program was invaluable.
I knew changing careers would have included things such as resumes, applications, networking, etc. But the biggest thing I needed to understand was the nuances of the animation industry, etiquette for approaching recruiters, and what type of roles (fixed-term or permanent) there were. These sessions really helped guide me, and explained how to approach my showreel and the subsequent application processes.
If you’re looking to enhance your specialist skills to industry level, CG Spectrum is the place to be.
Having never done an online course, I didn’t expect to receive this level of personalised learning and quality teaching. The amount of 1-on-1 is second to none. The techniques not only improved my animation skills by leaps and bounds, they taught me to be a better storyteller.
One of the best decisions I've ever made for my career.
I've learned and grown so much throughout this program and I loved the resources in the CG Spectrum community, such as finding new job opportunities and meeting other students and mentors. I took advantage of everything CG Spectrum had to offer and as a result, I landed my dream job at my dream company (Dreamworks). Thank you CG Spectrum!
So much more than I expected.
CG Spectrum is a very fun and relaxed online community where other students and mentors communicate in a refreshingly open way. The Mentors really make these courses a unique experience; they share anecdotes and advice that will stay with me for many years.
Getting access to industry mentors is huge.
There's a world of information out there, but nothing compared to talking to someone in the know. CG Spectrum was one of those places. I really liked the 1-on-1 format. It was the first time I had an experienced animator open my scene file. It was what I needed to get over some technical hurdles.
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.
I can’t praise CG Spectrum enough for the quality of teaching and dedication to their students.
Mark [Pullyblank] was the best mentor I’ve ever had. He really took the time to help design the course around what it is that I wanted to get out of it. I’ve studied other animation courses in the past, but none even come close to the depth and speed of development as CG Spectrum.
