3D for Visual Effects (12 weeks) | Short courses | Escape Studios

Online courses

Please note that our courses will be starting in September regardless of the COVID situation- whilst conforming to government guidelines. We will be delivering our courses online and we intend to resume face-to-face teaching as soon as we are able to do so without the need for social distancing measures, and in line with government guidance. For more information, please visit our online courses page or contact our Admissions team.

3D for Visual Effects (12 weeks)

Our longest running and most popular course just keeps getting better!

Do you want to kick-start your career in VFX? This course is the perfect foundation for those with no previous experience but who are passionate about VFX.

It's highly interactive and intensive and will equip you with the skills required to succeed. You'll learn how to use software such as Maya, Photoshop, Mudbox and 3D Equalizer, along with key techniques such as modelling, texturing, lighting and shading.

What's more you'll get the chance to work on hands-on projects and problem-solving challenges, you’ll learn the latest 3D software and techniques required by industry.

Our talented 3D tutors have worked within the industry so you get to learn from the inside out! Plus, we work with industry professionals on all of our daytime courses (full-time) so you'll hear directly from someone who's working in the industry and get feedback on your work from a pro.

Module 1 - 3D Foundation

Week 1: Introduction to Maya

The user interface
Introduction to modelling
Introduction to textures
Introduction to lighting, shading and rendering

Week 2: Modelling

Nurbs Curves
Nurbs surfaces to polygons
Polygonal modelling
Topological rules

Week 3: Modelling continued

Polygonal modelling continued
Organic modelling
Non-linear modelling
UV mapping techniques (organic and hard surface)

Week 4: Colour and lighting

Lighting - traditional cinematographic and photographic techniques
Colour theory, three point lighting
Natural lighting
Indirect lighting techniques
Image based lighting
Matching lighting
Advanced lighting

Week 5: Basic texturing

Hypershade
Texturing masterclass
Image manipulation with Photoshop
Texture distressing with Photoshop
Non-destructive texturing workflows
Camera projection mapping

Week 6: Shading and rendering

Displacement mapping
Maya nodes
Raytracing (reflections, refractions and shadows)

Module 2 - Visual Effects

Week 7: Tracking and integration

Introduction to cameras
Camera tracking with 3D equalizer
Manual tracking techniques
Advanced matchmoving techniques
Lens distortion
Camera lineup

Week 8: Digital sculpting and 3D painting

Texturing
Sculpting/detailing
Import/export workflow

Week 9: Advanced shading and lighting

Advanced lighting theory
Lighting effects

Week 10: Render layers and compositing

Render layers and passes
Introduction to Linux
Introduction to compositing
Compositing with Nuke (CG layers)
Rotoscoping and keying with Nuke

Week 11: Animation and rigging

Keyframe animation
Path animation
Constraints and rigging

Week 12: Project week

End of course presentation

The course also includes:

A free online primer course before you start studying, so your foundation skills are up to speed.
Escapee Alumni after-care and career support including help and advice with your CV, showreel and job applications.
Free Autodesk Software when you register with the Autodesk Education Community (full details will be available in your welcome pack if you choose to study on this course).
Access to software including Maya, Photoshop, Mudbox, 3D Equalizer and Nuke.

Software

How to apply

3D for Visual Effects (12 weeks) | Short courses | Escape Studios

We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

To study an Escape Studios short course you must be:

Over 18
Have a good understanding of written and spoken english
Feel comfortable using a computer. A working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop would be an advantage.

If you meet the above entry requirements you can

Make an enquiry: Complete our enquiry form and our admissions team will get in touch to check your eligibility for the course, send the registration form and advise you on payment options.
Contact us: Alternatively you can call our admissions team on 020 7348 1920 or email admissions@escapestudios.com,
Visit us: If you’d prefer to speak to someone face-to-face, you can book a 1-2-1 or attend an Open Evening

Following your application you will need to agree to our terms and conditions. Your place on the course will then be secured.

Where will this get me?

All students on any 3D for VFX (12 weeks) course will graduate with an Escape Studios Certificate of Achievement, a well-respected qualification within the industry, demonstrating you've studied an industry-based course and have the practical, hands-on skills studios are looking for.

After the classroom course is over we offer three months of online mentoring, so that our students can continue to refine and polish their skills. We take aftercare very seriously - since it can take time to put together a job-ready demo reel, we make sure our students get the time and practice that they need to refine their work to make them job-ready. Learn more about our Aftercare support.

Our students go on to work in many areas of the industry. See some of their success stories.

Some of the junior opportunities you will be able to consider on completion of the course include:

Runner
Junior 3D Artist

Fees and funding

Fees

London Campus: £11,295

Online: £7,906

Funding for UK students

You may be able to get funding to help cover the cost of the course. For independent advice, and to find out more about your options, visit gov.uk or call the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900.

Funding for international students

We recommend you visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs website. The Council doesn’t provide funding directly, but it will give you all the information you need about studying and living in the UK, including visas and funding.

We do our best to find funding solutions for overseas students. For example:

If you’re from Sweden, you may be able to get help from the Swedish loan and grant course. Find out more at csn.se
Spanish students should visit the Spanish government website for useful information on studying, employment and emigration, plus details of grants available to Spanish students.
If you’re from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Burma, you may be able to get funding from the Charles Wallace Trust, to help towards your living costs and educational development in the UK. Find out more at wallace-trusts.org.uk.

Get in touch

We can help with any problems or questions you have with course fees and funding. Speak to one of our Applicant Advisors via phone or email today! Call us on 0207 348 1920 or email admissions@escapestudios.com.

3D for Visual Effects (12 weeks) | Short courses | Escape Studios

Next steps

Open events

Meet our tutors for an informal chat and speak to other students.

Book now

Taster courses

Try before you buy and get a hands-on feel for what it's like to study with us.

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Our campus

Study in our state-of-the-art studios and get a taste of what it's like to work in industry.

Take a look

Meet our tutors

Mark is our Head of 3D, combining teaching with working at the highest level in the industry.

He got his big break at Peerless Camera, the production house co-owned by Terry Gilliam, and worked on every Gilliam film from ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ to ‘The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus’, starring the late Heath Ledger. He also worked with director Martin Campbell on ‘Zorro’ and ‘Mask of Zorro’ before supervising on the set of ‘Casino Royale’.

Most recently, Mark managed the CG team that worked on the parachute scene in ‘Angels and Demons’, on behalf of post-house DNEG.

3D for Visual Effects (12 weeks) | Short courses | Escape Studios

Industry partners

Industry partners and advisors influence everything we do, from the curriculum we teach and how it's delivered to our webinars and special events.

We work alongside an impressive list of VFX, Games and Animation studios including Framestore, Blue Zoo, MPC, Jellyfish Pictures, Creative Assembly and many more across all our courses at Escape Studios.

With exclusive professional feedback, intensive software training and much more, our industry-led courses give you up-to-the-minute, inspirational knowledge and experience, tailored to the work you’re passionate about. Our Escape Studios Alumni (Escapees) can be found in many of the studios including Pixar, MPC, Industrial Light & Magic, DNEG, Rockstar Games and Electric Theatre Collective.

Find out more about our industry partners

Why Escape Studios?

Our tutors have worked in the industry and have been hand-picked from successful studios; they teach real-world tips and tricks learnt from on-the-job experience
You'll work in an industry-style studio from day one, so you'll get a taste of what it's like to work in industry
Our industry partners include Framestore, The Mill, MPC, DNEG, Cinesite, Electric Theatre Collective and Jellyfish Pictures (to name just a few!)
Our industry partners help to design, develop and deliver our courses and they influence everything we do, so you'll benefit from up-to-the-minute knowledge and experience
You'll study at the heart of London's creative scene, so our state of the art facilities are the perfect place to kick-start your career