3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks)

Interested in exploring the world of 3D VFX? Learn the basics with this course for beginners.

This online evening course is perfect for anyone with a passion for VFX, whether you’re a hobbyist or looking for your first big break into the VFX industry. You’ll learn real-world VFX production skills and will gain a comprehensive foundation in 3D modelling, texturing and lighting inside Autodesk Maya. See below for the online course requirements.

This course is part-time study allowing you to fit around your day job or other commitments. Through step-by-step tuition and genuine production examples, we’ll introduce you to Autodesk Maya, including its capabilities, workflows, interface and the key 3D techniques you’ll need to become a 3D professional.

After completing 3D Foundation, you’ll be eligible to advance your 3D skills and enrol on our 3D for Visual Effects Intermediate part-time evening course.

Weeks 1-5:

Introduction to Maya
The user interface
Introduction to modelling
Introduction to textures
Introduction to lighting, shading and rendering
NURBS curves and surfaces
Polygonal modelling
Topological rules

Weeks 5-10:

UV mapping techniques (organic and hard surface)
Introduction to basic texturings
Hypershade
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)
Shaders

Weeks 10-15:

Advanced shader creation with intro to substance designer/painter
Advanced displacement creation with intro to zBrush
Material properties and case studies

Weeks 15-20:

Colour and lighting – traditional cinematographic and photographic techniques
Colour theory, three point lighting
Natural lighting
Indirect lighting techniques
Image based lighting
Matching lighting
Advanced lighting
Advanced materials
Rendering with Arnold

The course also includes:

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.

Software

Entry requirements

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

To study this short course, you must:

Be over 18
Have a good understanding of written and spoken English
Feel comfortable using a computer

For questions regarding international applications and visas, check our admissions page for further information or contact our Admissions team on admission@escapestudios.com.

How to apply

Evening (part-time) courses can be purchased directly via our online shop - just click the Buy Now button at the top of the page.

Alternatively, you can:

Call our Admissions Advisors on +44 (0)203 441 1303
Email us at admissions@escapestudios.com
Reach us on LiveChat on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Following your application, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions before your place on the course can be secured.

Where will this get me?

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.

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 package.

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.

Fees and funding

Fees

£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 five equal instalments, to be paid before the end of the course.

Contact our Admissions Team on +44 (0)203 441 1303 or admissions@escapestudios.com or visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.

Next steps

Close up of green alien character Grogu in The Mandalorian — Open Events

Meet our team, hear about our postgraduate and short courses and get all your burning questions answered.

**Keep an eye on this page for our next open day**

3D animation Paddington bear floating — Taster sessions

Get a hands-on feel for what it's like to study with us by joining one of our online or on-campus practical sessions.

**Sign me up**

Family portrait of the Addams Family from 3D animated film — Meet the team

Book a one-to-one on the phone or on campus if you want to know more about our courses.

**Get in touch**

Meet our tutors

Our tutors have all sculpted their own careers in successful studios in the industry and are now sharing their expertise in the classroom. Packed with everything from Thor: Ragnarok, Black Mirror and Black Panther to the original Lion King and multiple PlayStation titles, their CVs don't get much cooler! They know exactly what skills you need – teaching you real-world tips and tricks, as well as the latest industry software and techniques to kick-start your career.

Meet our tutors

View of a studio classroom with students' heads and monitors

Industry Partners

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

We work alongside an impressive list of VFX, Games and Animation studios including Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, Blue Zoo, MPC, Jellyfish Pictures, PlayStation London Studio and 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 working at a variety of studios including Pixar, MPC, Industrial Light & Magic, DNEG, Rockstar Games and Electric Theatre Collective.

Find out more about our industry partners.

Why Escape Studios?

Learn industry-relevant techniques from the experts, in a studio-like environment.

Studio-experienced tutors. Our tutors have worked at studios including DNEG, Walt Disney Animation, EA, Rebellion and Framestore and their credits include Captain America, Black Mirror and Bond: Spectre. They speak at international conferences, like B’Ars (Spain) and VIEW Conference (Italy), write for industry-recognised blog Befores&Afters, and are authorised trainers for software like UnrealEngine, Autodesk or Houdini.
Industry-standard facilities. Our central London campus is surrounded by world-leading studios and fully equipped with high-end hardware and the latest software.
Industry partners. Our studio partners, including DNEG, Framestore and PlayStation London Studio, help design and develop our courses to make sure that what we teach is relevant to the current industry practices. You’ll also have access to events and webinars ran by our Student Experience team with industry speakers.

3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks)

See also

Weeks 1-5:

Weeks 5-10:

Weeks 10-15:

Weeks 15-20:

Fees

Payment plans

Next steps

Open Events

Taster sessions

Meet the team

Meet our tutors

Industry Partners

Why Escape Studios?

Escape Studios prospectus

Contact us

Study with us

Stay in touch

Legal

3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks)

See also

Next steps

Open Events

Taster sessions

Meet the team

Meet our tutors

Industry Partners

Why Escape Studios?

Escape Studios prospectus

Escape Studios Socials

Contact us

Study with us

Stay in touch

Legal