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3D Visualization Foundations

Shape Your Future: 3D Visualization Artist Training with Industry Gurus

  • Award
  • Award

Teodor Vladov - helldoor.net

Overview

Study 3D visualization online with guidance from industry experts

Bring concepts, sketches, and blueprints to life with career mentorship from a V-Ray authorized instructor. Learn to translate ideas into the digital 3D space, establishing accurate representations of what buildings, sets, and landscapes will look like before they're even built!


Why study 3D visualization at CG Spectrum:

  • We are a Chaos Academic Partner
  • Unreal Academic Partner & Unreal Authorized Training Center
  • Mentorship from industry pros
  • Job-focused career training and 100% online
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)

This course will help prepare you for a career in architecture visualization (archviz), product visualization, industrial visualization, film, or games. You'll finish the course with high-quality 3D renders that will demonstrate your skills to prospective employers.

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Qualification

Industry Certificate

Duration

12 months

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner to
Intermediate

Start date

January 6th, 2025

February 3rd, 2025

March 3rd, 2025

Delivery Mode

Weekly live online classes
Video lectures
Mentor feedback
Access to vibrant community
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Why study with us

Learn 3D visualization from professionals actively working in the industry

Our expert-led courses prepare you for a rewarding career as a 3D visualization artist. Harness your creative potential while building practical job skills studios are looking for.

 

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Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from mentors who have worked in the film and games industry

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical, relevant job skills that studios are looking for

Payment Plans

Options to help you pursue your passion and start working sooner
Curriculum

Comprehensive, hands-on, and creative career training in 3D Visualization

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.

  • 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
Term 2: 12 weeks

Foundations 2: Core 3D Visualization Principles

This part of the Foundations of 3D Visualization Course will explore adding detail to your 3D scene to achieve a more interesting and photoreal finish, using surface imperfections, compositing, and atmospheric effects. You'll also dive deeper into texturing, shading, lighting, and rendering and learn Photoshop fundamentals.

  • Creating cinematic lighting and adding atmospheric effects
  • Using texturing and shading to add detail
  • Photoshop basics
  • 3D rendering and troubleshooting
  1. Materials/Shaders
  2. Unwrapping
  3. Textures and Surface Imperfections
  4. Scattering Systems
  5. Achieving better compositions
  6. Lighting/Gobos/Lightmix/Atmospheric Effects
  7. Photoshop Fundamentals
  8. Post Processing (VFB)
  9. MtlWrapper/Shadow Catcher
  10. Lighting Integration
  11. Render Element/Render Engine 
  12. Back to Beauty Compositing
Term 3: 12 weeks

Foundations 3: Professional Real-time Visualization

This term looks at how to create 3D visualizations in Unreal Engine (UE). Learn how to plan out a shot in Unreal Engine and build impressive scenes with your own assets as well as Quixel's Megascans library. You'll also explore how to fully utilize the Lumen and Nanite features of UE5 and animation to achieve photorealistic real-time projects.

  • How to navigate Unreal Engine
  • Importing Megascans assets into your scene
  • Basic animation (keyframe)
  • Using Lumen and Nanite features in UE5
  1. Introduction to Unreal Engine
  2. Asset preparation, and Datasmith
  3. UV Coordinate Controls
  4. Materials and Shaders
  5. Lighting and Post Process Volume
  6. Planning Your Shot
  7. Making an Interior Scene
  8. Foliage System and Landscaping 
  9. Making an Exterior Scene
  10. Blueprint Control
  11. Substrate and Procedural Content 
  12. How to Continue to Develop Your UE Skills
Term 4: 12 weeks

Mentored Studio: Visualization

This final term is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your mentor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best pieces for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers.

Students in this course receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Coach.

  • How to navigate Unreal Engine
  • Importing Megascans assets into your scene
  • Basic animation (keyframe)
  • Using Lumen and Nanite features in UE5
  1. Career Pathways
  2. Industry Overview
  3. Portfolio Upgrade
  4. Networking and Online Presence
  5. Resume and Cover Letter
  6. Job Hunting
  7. Freelance Work
  8. Interviews and Pitching
  9. Personal Projects and Challenges
  10. Working in a Studio
  11. Contracts and Negotiations
  12. Personal Roadblocks
Course structure

Your pathway to the industry

This course has been designed to prepare you for a career in the industry. You'll start with the essentials before moving on to more complex projects. Graduate with a polished portfolio you can proudly show prospective employers.

Pathway illustration for Foundations 12 Month Course
Mentors

Get direct access to talented 3D visualization artists

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.

Nicklas Byriel's Work
Nicklas Byriel

Nicklas Byriel

A certified V-Ray instructor, Nicklas is a 3D generalist/TD with over a decade of experience in 3D visualization, including running his own company Negative Black.

Mentor of Visualization

Known for Founder of Chaos Theory

Teodor Vladov's Work
Teodor Vladov

Teodor Vladov

After earning his Masters in Architecture from the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart, Teodor established Helldoor Visual Studio and has been working in 3D visualization for over a decade.

Mentor of Visualization

Known for Architectural Visualization

Ioanna Ivanova's Work
Ioanna Ivanova

Ioanna Ivanova

Ioanna graduated with a degree in Computer Visualisation & Animation from Bournemouth University. She began her career at INK, a creative studio based in London, where she worked with clients such as Honda, Audi, and Nespresso.

Mentor of Visualization

Known for Product Visualization

Wessel Huizenga's Work
Wessel Huizenga

Wessel Huizenga

Combining his interests in architectural visualization and game development, Wessel works as a real-time architectural visualization artist to create courses with Epic games for their ArtStation Learning platform.

Mentor of Visualization

Known for Architectural Visualization

Anastasia Edwards-Morel's Work
Anastasia Edwards-Morel

Anastasia Edwards-Morel

Anastasia holds a masters degree in Fashion Design from FIT, where she focused on 3D. She has led design at various startups, and currently serves as Head of Design at  ICONIQ AI.

Mentor of Visualization

Known for Digital Fashion
Student Showcase

Our students learn to create impressive 3D scenes 

Focusing on industry tools and techniques, our students build the skills to create studio-quality work they can proudly add to their portfolios.

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Studios that hire our students

Our commitment to job outcomes and a focus on career development has helped graduates find work at studios all over the world.
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Frequently asked questions

3D Visualization Foundations Course FAQs

Age Minimum
The general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Software:

This course requires you to purchase an educational license of 3ds Max and Chaos V-Ray. Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for the required software will be provided upon enrollment.

You will also need to purchase a Photoshop subscription (photography plan only) for term 2.

Term 3 requires Unreal Engine, which is free to download and use.

Hardware:

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

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 first term and could move straight into term 2. However, the first term may still be beneficial if you are unfamiliar with the software we teach (3ds Max and V-Ray).

To skip term 1, you must be able to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of how 3ds Max works and basic lighting and rendering skills through a portfolio demonstrating your experience and an accompanying resume.

3D visualization processes are employed across myriad industries—from building and construction to film and video games to product design and VR—making 3D visualization artists in demand.

The course covers more complex techniques and includes an entire term dedicated to career development and portfolio preparation to get you industry-ready.

Some of the areas within 3d visualization you could explore after completing the full study pathway include: 

  • Architectural visualization
  • Product visualization
  • 3D visualization
  • Digital fashion
  • Video games
  • Architecture and construction
  • Engineering
  • Film and television
  • Video games
  • Product design

Discover more about this career path, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

My experience at CG Spectrum was second to none, and taught me so much more than I initially anticipated.

My mentor took me from being barely computer literate to an animator working at a studio in only a year and a half. The information and level of teaching at CG Spectrum will absolutely not be found anywhere else.

Kieran L
Kieran L
Animation

I can't stress enough how much I'm enjoying studying here!

I started the course out of curiosity, I was brand new to this world but I feel like I got all the answers that I needed and even more.

Antonino C
Antonino C
Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production

I’m excited to start the new leg of my journey!

It isn’t every day you decide to quit your job, go back to school, graduate and get a new job in a field you’ve always dreamed about in less than 1 year. Needless to say, it has been one eventful year for me! I have to give a huge thanks to everyone at CG Spectrum for making this possible.

Chris Mackney
Chris Mackney
Foundations for VFX

A great way to connect and learn

The interaction with the mentors is the best thing at CG Spectrum: their support and flexibility to adapt and support you with specific, practical tasks help you improve in the areas you're interested in. The huge Slack community is also a great way to connect with and learn from peers, it's a constant source of info from various areas of the industry.

Liviu G
Liviu G
Game Design

The CG Spectrum training solidified my skills using Unreal Engine.

Having used it briefly before, and feeling overwhelmed by how big the range is of what you can do using the engine, the training taught me the areas I would need for virtual production very well. I now feel confident with the skills I have gained.

Simran M
Simran M
Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production

CG Spectrum offers unconditional support.

I want to thank the entire CG Spectrum staff and mentors for their unconditional support, for sharing beyond the course syllabus, and for always giving 100% in everything.

Jorge R
Jorge R
Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production