Live online learning

Please note that our evening courses will be running live online in 2021 as access to our campus is limited in line with government guidance. For more information, please visit our live online learning page or contact our Admissions team.

3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks)

Whilst our campus is currently closed following government measures, we will be running the September intake of this course online. Please see below for details and contact our Admissions team for further information.

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

How to apply

Entry requirements

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

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 Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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 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 and funding

Fees: £3,196

Payment plans

We offer a range of payment plan options for all courses, including up to five instalments following the initial deposit. Depending on the length of the course, we ask that the initial deposit be paid when registering for the course, and the final payment prior to the end date of the course.

Following the deposit, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining instalments equally. Please speak to a member of our Admissions team on +44 (0)203 441 1303 or admissions@escapestudios.com to determine the dates of those payments.

Contact our Finance team to discuss your options on +44 (0)203 441 1303 or finance@escapestudios.com.

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 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 +44 (0)203 441 1303 or email admissions@escapestudios.com.

Next steps

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Open events

Find out more about our courses. Meet our tutors, admission advisors, alumni and current students.

Book my space

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Taster courses

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

Book my space

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Meet us

For a one-to-one chat or a personal tour of our industry-like studios, contact our Admissions team.

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

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.

Industry-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 Unreal Engine, Autodesk or Houdini.
State-of-the-art 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.

Live online learning

3D Foundation (Evening - 20 weeks)

See also

Weeks 1-5:

Weeks 5-10:

Weeks 10-15:

Weeks 15-20:

Payment plans

Funding for international students

Get in touch

Next steps

Open events

Taster courses

Meet us

Meet our tutors

Industry partners

Why Escape Studios?

Escape Studios prospectus

Pearson Business School prospectus

Contact us

Study with us

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