3D Intermediate (Evening - 20 weeks)
3D Intermediate (Evening - 20 weeks)
Course overview
Dive into the detail and take your VFX knowledge to the next level!
This course is the perfect follow on if you have completed our 3D Foundation course, or if you already understand the basics. You’ll learn how to use key software including Maya, Nuke, ZBrush and 3DEqualizer.
On completion of this advanced course, you'll be able to animate objects inside a Maya scene with efficient key-framing and understanding of animation curves, simplify the animation process with constraints, expressions and set-driven keys, and develop a moving visual effects shot, including modelling, texturing, lighting, rendering and compositing.
You’ll also understand how cameras work in the real world and in Maya, and learn how to track image sequences and reconstruct them in 3D.
You'll create some key pieces for a killer showreel, ready to stand out in this growing but ever-competitive industry.
See also MA Visual Effects Production (3D), 3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks) or 3D for VFX (12 weeks)
Why choose this course
Ranked 2nd in the UK - and 10th in the world for Visual Effects Excellence by The Rookies
Based in London - home to some of the best VFX houses in the world
Industry briefs - work on industry-standard briefs and experience real-life scenarios, just like in a professional studio
Professional input - our advisory board of experts, from the likes of DNEG (Avengers: Endgame and Oscar-winning Dune) and MPC (The Lion King and 1917), help keep this course relevant
Successful alumni - join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios. 47 Escapees worked on Avengers: Endgame, 36 on No Time to Die and 16 on Stranger Things
AfterCare package - we'll help you polish your showreel and find the right job, with access to our studios and showreel clinics for 12 months
Industry-standard facilities - study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Maya and Nuke
Fast-track learning - studying a short course allows you to learn new skills quickly, in a fast-paced environment, so you can start applying for jobs as soon as you’ve completed the programme
Intensive training - we pack a lot into a few evening classes, and we recommend that you work outside of classes for an extra few hours per week to complete your assignments
Flexibility - study live online and in the evening to fit the course around your professional and personal life and other commitments
Strong portfolio - along with an Escape Studios Certificate of Achievement, you'll leave with strong creative and technical skills and great pieces for your portfolio
Small class sizes - a convivial environment allows students to assist and inspire one another and benefit from personalised feedback from tutors.
Course modules
Using Maya and 3DEqualizer
Basic principles of cameras and their optical properties
Dealing with lens distortion
Alignment of solve in Maya
Tips for integration of 3D elements into live action plate
Using Maya and dedicated 3D texturing packages
Basic 3D texture painting
Using Maya and Arnold
Maya and Arnold rendering nodes and techniques
Using Nuke
Roto, keying, simple compositing and camera tracking
More information
Maya
Nuke
ZBrush
3DEqualizer
Arnold
Substance Painter
Substance Designer
Call our Admissions Advisors on +44 (0)203 441 1303
Email us at courses@escapestudios.ac.uk
Reach us on chat Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Have experience in 3D or have studied our 3D Foundation course previously
Be over 18
Have a good understanding of written and spoken English
Feel comfortable using a computer.
Gov.uk - Check if you need a visa
Gov.uk - Standard visitor visa
Gov.uk - Caseworker guidance
UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - Information for visitors
A strong internet connection
An external hard drive (minimum 2TB) to back up your work during the course
A three-button mouse (or optionally graphics tablet)
A computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)
Note-taking materials
Runner
Modeller
Matchmove Artist
Previs Artist
Texture Artist
Layout Artist
Environment Artist
Assistant Technical Director
FX / CFX Artist
Production Assistant
Production Coordinator
To apply for this course, or if you have any questions about your application or our entry requirements, get in touch!
As part of the application process, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.
Minimum requirements
We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
To study this short course, you must:
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, contact us on courses@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0) 203 441 1303.
Non-UK students
We accept international students for our short courses, with no difference in course fees or administration costs.
The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come to the UK to study for a course of up to six months at an accredited institution. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa prior to departure from your home country. For more information visit:
Contact us on courses@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0)203 441 1303 for any questions.
We can provide remote access to our workstations during teaching time. Due to availability restrictions, we highly advise you to have your own set up at home to study in your own time.
More things you’ll need:
If you have any questions about learning online or if you need help with what to buy, get in touch at courses@escapestudios.ac.uk.
Fees
Live online: £3,196
Payment plans
We offer a range of payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to six equal instalments, to be paid over the course length.
Contact our Admissions Team on courses@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0)203 441 1303 or visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.
“Consumers who are increasingly looking for high-definition (HD) VFX experiences will have huge business opportunities in the VFX market in the next few years.” (source Expert Market Research)
You’ll leave with an Escape Studios Certificate of Achievement, along with strong creative and technical skills and some great pieces of work for your portfolio, which you can add to with help from our Aftercare programme. Ready to apply for jobs in the industry!
Some of the opportunities you can consider once you’ve finished your studies include:
3D Artists often start out in junior roles to then rise to mid-level and senior roles such as 3D Generalists and Technical Directors, opening the path to becoming a Visual Effects Supervisor.
Our students have gone to work as both specialist and generalist artists in creative studios, across TV shows, films and commercials, at companies including Framestore, DNEG, MPC and Jellyfish Pictures. Read some of our VFX Escapee success stories.
Check out our Careers Guide for more information about career opportunities and progression routes.
We pack a lot into each class of our evening courses, to be able to offer a learning option that is more flexible and fits in with your personal and work life. This means that contact time with your tutors will be intense learning and hands on. To make the most of this course, we recommend that you spend at least 10 hours working on your projects or practising your new skills in your own time each week.
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Meet our industry-experienced tutors
They all have industry experience and are experts in their fields. They are certified trainers for Autodesk and Houdini. They’ve worked at studios including DNEG, Framestore and Industrial Light & Magic, on credits including Fantastic Beasts, Gladiator, Kingsman and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.
Student showcase
Escape Studios always produces some of the finest VFX graduates in the country. Their training, both technical and soft skills, stands them in great stead in the industry.