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Animation & VFX · Year 4 · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

3D Modeling & Animation Techniques

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to 3D modeling for digital artists, focusing on professional object creation, surface modeling, lighting, and rendering workflows. Students learn to construct complex 3D models with correct topology and prepare production-ready scenes. A brief introduction to basic 3D animation is included to build foundational motion understanding.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Create accurate 3D models using professional modeling techniques.
  2. Apply clean topology for production-ready assets.
  3. Model different categories of 3D objects using appropriate workflows.
  4. Build realistic scenes using lighting, cameras, and materials.
  5. Demonstrate basic animation principles using simple object motion.
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to 3D & Software Interface
  2. 023D Production Pipeline & Scene Organization
  3. 03Polygon Modeling Basics (Vertices, Edges, Faces)
  4. 04Core Modeling Tools (Move, Rotate, Scale, Extrude, Inset, Bevel)
  5. 05Modeling Simple Objects (Props & Hard-Surface Forms)
  6. 06Edge Flow & Clean Topology Principles
  7. 07Subdivision Surface Modeling & Support Loops
  8. 08 · MidtermModeling Complex Hard-Surface Objects
  9. 09NURBS & Hybrid Modeling Workflows
  10. 10Precision Modeling Using Reference Images
  11. 11UV Mapping & Texture Preparation
  12. 12Materials, Shaders & Surface Detailing
  13. 13Cameras & Composition for 3D Presentation
  14. 14Lighting Fundamentals & Three-Point Lighting
  15. 15Rendering Settings & Scene Optimization
  16. 16Principles of Animation & Basic 3D Object Motion

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Students will create a detailed 3D model of a complex object (architecture not allowed). Requirements of Final Project: A complex non-architectural 3D object with clean topology, properly applied materials and textures, professional lighting setup and camera composition, and high-quality renders from multiple angles. The final project will be evaluated on modeling accuracy, topology quality, realism, lighting, and presentation.

How it’s judged

§ 04 Watch first
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