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Learn Real-time 3D Essentials

Step into Real-Time 3D: Online Basics with Industry Artist Support

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Overview

Take the first steps to becoming a real-time 3D artist for film and games

Learn 3D essentials with this beginner's real-time 3D course. Your industry mentor will introduce you to the core principles of 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, and animation using Unreal Engine, Maya, and Substance Painter.

Benefits of studying with us:
  • Unreal Academic Partner & Unreal Authorized Training Center
  • Mentorship from industry pros
  • Job-focused curriculum and 100% online
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max 4 students)

This course is the perfect launching pad into the expansive world of digital art and design. It equips you with the fundamental skills necessary for mastering the art of creating stunning 3D visuals.

unreal-authorized-traning-partner
Qualification

Industry Certificate

Duration

3 months

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Beginner

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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Curriculum

An industry-approved curriculum to get you started in the world of real-time 3D

Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 1: Essentials of 3D

In this Essentials course, you'll start with the fundamentals of 3D, learning how to set up models, scenes, rigs, and animation, which will set the stage for all other 3D skills.  

*This short course is equivalent to the first term of the Real-Time 3D Foundations. If you continue your learning journey, you'll be eligible to join the Foundations course from Term 2 onwards.

  • 3D Modeling basics and geometry
  • Texturing and lighting techniques
  • Foundational animation principles
  • Rigging basics

*This short course is equivalent to the first term of the Real-Time 3D Foundations course, so if you choose to continue your studies, you'll start at Term 2!

  1. Introduction to 3D Space
  2. Modeling Projects and Pipeline
  3. Modeling Tools and Techniques
  4. Modeling Workflows
  5. Modeling for Real-time 3D
  6. Principles of UV Mapping
  7. Principles of Materials and Rendering
  8. Animation Principles
  9. Applied 3d Animation
  10. Animation Cycles
  11. Principles of Rigging
  12. Lighting and Rendering
Course Structure

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.

Pathway illustration for Essentials 3 Month Course
Mentors

Get direct access to industry professionals with years of experience

Learn from passionate industry veterans with years of real-world experience at major film and game studios.

Simon Warwick's Work
Simon Warwick

Simon Warwick

Simon has been working in the game industry since 2005, and was credited as the only technical cinematic animator for Batman: Arkham City at Rocksteady Studios.

Dept. Head of Real-Time 3D

Known for Batman: Arkham Knight

Jon Robins's Work
Jon Robins

Jon Robins

Jon currently works as a Lead Character Technical Artist at Striking Distance Studios where he loves solving problems and helping teams in as many ways as he can.

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Marvel's Avengers

Addison DeBolt's Work
Addison DeBolt

Addison DeBolt

Mentor of Real-time 3D

Known for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Nida Arshia's Work
Nida Arshia

Nida Arshia

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Visual storytelling

Tamir Diab's Work
Tamir Diab

Tamir Diab

Tamir is a CG Supe at Pixomondo who works with Unreal Engine developers and artists to create CG environments for ads, TV, and film. He’s worked on multiple Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning films.

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Halo (TV series)

Lucas Esposito's Work
Lucas Esposito

Lucas Esposito

Mentor of Real-time 3D

Known for Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

Jack Brown's Work
Jack Brown

Jack Brown

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Avengers: Age of Ultron

Matthew Lee's Work
Matthew Lee

Matthew Lee

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Avatar: The Way of Water

Adam Fligsten's Work
Adam Fligsten

Adam Fligsten

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Marvel v Capcom: Infinite

Harshit Penamata's Work
Harshit Penamata

Harshit Penamata

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Technical Art

Lightfoot Buckeyne's Work
Lightfoot Buckeyne

Lightfoot Buckeyne

Mentor of Real-Time 3D

Known for Immortals of Aveum

Enric Joanmiquel's Work
Enric Joanmiquel

Enric Joanmiquel

Mentor of Foundations

Known for Bleeding Edge
Frequently asked questions

Real-Time 3D Essentials course FAQs

Learn more about the prerequisites for this course and the real-time 3D careers you could explore in the future. For general questions about studying at CG Spectrum, visit the main FAQ page or contact us.

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). Some previous knowledge of 3D software would also be beneficial.

Preparation
If you would like to prepare before starting the Real-time 3D Essentials, you could work on the following basic skills:

  • Polygonal modeling principles and workflows
  • UV unwrapping workflows 
  • Animation timeline and graph editing workflows
  • 3D Rendering workflows

Software:

Students can sign up for an educational license for Substance Painter and Autodesk Maya. You will also need to download Unreal Engine, which is free.

Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for the required software will be provided upon enrollment.

Hardware:

Students will need a dedicated graphics card, and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, and Maya. 

Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enroling.

This short course will get you started on your creative journey, but in a competitive industry, we advise continuing your studies with the full career track.

The real-time 3D career track includes the Real-time Foundations and Real-time Artist Specialization. It is designed to better prepare you for a job in the industry and help increase your employment opportunities.

The career track ensures you build strong foundational skills before moving on to more complex techniques and workflows. You will also dedicate time to career development and preparing a polished portfolio while you gain invaluable industry insights.

Some of the junior virtual production jobs you could pursue after completing the full study pathway include:

Discover more about these jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

I enrolled looking for a career change...

I didn't have any knowledge about digital arts. Now I can accomplish my dream of creating cinematics within fantasy worlds to tell stories or apply any artistic idea and make it happen with all the new tools under my belt. If you have passion, and need time flexibility, consider joining the amazing community and start your new journey exploring, exchanging, sharing and, most importantly, learning.

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

I left every session feeling inspired.

Having studied on my own before CG Spectrum, I realized that there are a lot of things you just can’t get from Google. My mentor was very generous in sharing his own experience and lessons learned along the way. I was able to gather so much knowledge on light theory, post-production workflows, tips to add realism to a scene, and more.

Aurora C
Aurora C
Virtual Production

I can't speak highly enough about the school.

When I came to CG Spectrum I had 20 years of live entertainment experience, and they seamlessly transferred me from physical to virtual production. 

Chris F
Chris F
Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production

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

Currently halfway through real-time world building with William Faucher, and I cannot recommend it enough.

The ability to have your level gauged and directed as to where it needs to be by someone within the industry in real-time is priceless. The personal feedback is also second to none.

Matt C
Matt C
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