3D Foundation Part-time (Evening)

• You'll study in an environment that mirrors a standard industry VFX studio, and will begin your introduction to the VFX pipeline. You will work with tools such as Maya and Adobe Photoshop. You’ll get hands on experience with 3D VFX techniques such as; modelling, texturing, lighting and shading including the latest 3D software.
• This course is part time so allows you to fit your studies in around your day job or other personal commitments!
• Our tutors are top industry professionals, so you’ll be taught by the best in the business whether you’re a 3D artist looking to develop a career in VFX, a 2D VFX artist wanting to move into 3D or a VFX graduate preparing for the competitive VFX job market. This course will also suit students from a creative or technical background, keen to change career and get into VFX.
• In the studio you’ll work on industry designed briefs that replicate the real workplace. We give you experience of real life scenarios, such as dealing with briefs with varying requirements, deadlines and resources.
• You'll develop your very own demo reel in the final weeks of the course. This will become your visual CV for future employers and will help you stand out in this growing but ever competitive industry.

• Introduction to Maya
• The user interface
• Introduction to modelling
• Introduction to textures 
• Introduction to lighting, shading and rendering
• Modelling
• NURBS curves and surfaces
• NURBS surfaces to polygons
• Polygonal modelling
• Topological rules 
• Modelling continued
• Polygonal modelling continued Organic modelling
• Non-linear modelling
• UV mapping techniques (organic and hard surface) 
• 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
• Introduction to Basic Texturings 
• Hypershade
• Texturing masterclass
• Image manipulation with Photoshop
• Texture distressing with Photoshop
• Non-destructive texturing workflows 
• Camera projection mapping
• Texturing and Surface Techniques Displacement mapping
• Maya nodes
• Raytracing (reflections, refractions and shadows)
• MentalRay shaders
• Material properties and case studies (MIA shaders)

The course also includes:

• A free online primer course before you start studying, so your foundation skills are up to speed. 
• Access to our unique Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – where you’ll find additional resources to supplement your training throughout the course, and for 12 months afterwards free of charge. 
• 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 and Photoshop.

• Maya
• Photoshop
• Mudbox
• Nuke
• Mental Ray
• Arnold

All students on any 3D Foundation 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.

It’s also recommended to take the next step onto our 3D for VFX Intermediate Part Time Course to hone your skills further.

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

Fees: £4,750

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.

If you’re a UK resident, you can apply for a Professional Career Development Loan (PCDL). PCDLs are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays the interest while you’re studying. It’s best to apply at least three months before starting your course, to give your bank time to process your application.

To be eligible for a PCDL, you must be 18 or over, have been living in the UK for at least three years before your course starts and planning to work in the UK, European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) after you graduate.

To apply, find out which banks offer the loan and order an application pack by calling the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900. Complete and return the application form to your bank and they’ll decide if you qualify for a loan.

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.