Refine Your Skills with
Industry Standard Workflows

Find your path and achieve your goals in the 3D industry.

REQUIREMENTS

ACADEMY YEAR 1

DURATION

12 MONTHS

DEDICATION

14 hours/week

FORMAT

100% online with 1-on-1 mentorship

PRICE

$7,380

Program overview

After completing Academy Year 1, you become eligible to enroll in Academy Year 2. This is where the magic happens and when you will define yourself as an artist. In the 3D world, certain obstacles need to be overcome to progress, and this is where you will break through your own walls. You will begin to discover your personal style and develop a distinct identity. Consistency is key, as you must practice diligently and maximize your software proficiency. This will help you understand that software is simply a tool and prevent you from becoming reliant on it. This understanding will prove invaluable in your future career, as you will face different challenges that you will need to overcome. You’ll also learn how to communicate effectively with software, explore the pipelines for games and movies, and gain invaluable insights into the industry’s best practices.

Academy Year 2 is:

• 100% online with 1 on 1 mentorship
• Taught by industry experts
• Constantly updated according to the latest industry standards
• With 24/7 access to all study materials forever
• Bonus Classes for further advancement
• Homework assignments with references
• Community driven

Software we’ll provide

Maya
ZBrush
Substance
Painter
Marmoset
Photoshop
Unreal
Engine
Substance
Designer

ACADEMY YEAR 2

Structure and Formats

Crafting Realistic Elements

The second year begins with a dedicated focus on mastering realism in 3D artistry. During this month, you’ll delve into creating lifelike hair in Maya and Zbrush, exploring advanced rigging techniques, and simplifying the texturing process using ID maps. Additionally, you will hone your skills in realistic face painting. The aim is to provide you with a strong foundation in crafting the most authentic and detailed 3D elements.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Maya
    • Advanced techniques for hair and fur creation
    • In-depth exploration of rigging principles
    • Effective utilization of ID maps for texturing
    • Mastery of hard surface armor modeling
  • Substance Painter
    • Introduction to Textures and Materials
    • Techniques for achieving photorealistic face painting
  • Zbrush
    • Comprehensive training in hair creation
    • Utilization of ID maps
    • Hard surface armor sculpting techniques

Advancing in Rigging and Sculpting

In the second month of Year 2, you will continue your exploration of advanced rigging techniques. You’ll learn about the intricacies of complex rigging for characters and weapons. Furthermore, you’ll delve into the critical concept of anchor points for texturing, honing your skills in leather texturing. The month also introduces you to the fascinating art of sculpting monstrous creatures and characters, enhancing your ability to breathe life into your digital creations.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Maya
    • Comprehensive understanding of complex rigging for characters and weapons
    • Advanced Skinning
    • Referencing and Studio Library
  • Substance Painter
    • Practical application of anchor points for texturing
    • Expertise in leather texturing
  • Zbrush
    • In-depth training in sculpting monstrous creatures and characters
    • 3D Printing

Animation and Rendering

The third month of Year 2 represents a pivotal moment in your artistic journey. You’ll be introduced to the dynamic world of animation, with an exclusive master class led by the renowned Darko Mitev. Additionally, you’ll learn to harness the power of scanned textures to create strikingly realistic heads and faces. The month also covers advanced rendering techniques with Arnold and provides a comprehensive understanding of rendering software Marmoset Toolbag. This holistic approach aims to elevate your skills in animation and rendering to new heights.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Marmoset
    • Marmoset: A comprehensive introduction to rendering
    • In-depth exploration of lighting and rendering for hard surfaces and hair
  • Maya
    • Rigging principles applied to cars and quadrupeds
    • Mastery of the Graph Editor
    • Creating idle animations and walk cycles
    • Introduction to Animbot
    • Utilization of Wrap 3D for character modeling
    • Advanced rendering techniques with Arnold
  • Darko Mitev’s Master Class
    • Immersive animation training under the guidance of a distinguished expert

Embracing Unreal Engine

The fourth month of Year 2 marks your return to Unreal Engine, which plays a pivotal role in modern 3D artistry. This month is entirely dedicated to Unreal Engine and its comprehensive features. You’ll learn the intricacies of importing and exporting assets, mastering the art of creating versatile master materials, designing landscapes, implementing foliage, fine-tuning lighting, cameras, and post-processing effects, and getting introduced to the revolutionary concept of metahumans.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • ​Unreal Engine​
    • In-depth understanding of importing and exporting assets
    • Proficiency in crafting versatile master materials
    • Landscape design and creation
    • Expertise in foliage integration
    • Advanced techniques in vertex painting
    • Mastery of the Niagara particle system
    • Application of the Spline tool for enhanced creativity
    • Comprehensive exploration of lighting techniques, camera management, and post-processing effects
    • Introduction to metahumans, the future of character design

Crafting a Full Environment

The fifth month ushers in a comprehensive exploration of creating entire 3D environments from inception to completion. You will embark on a journey that involves blockout, sculpting, modeling, texturing, blueprint creation, world building, and rendering. The emphasis is on building holistic skills in environment creation.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Environment Pipeline
    • Blockout techniques for efficient design
    • Sculpting and modeling for realistic environments
    • In-depth texturing methods
    • Blueprint creation and management
    • World building strategies for immersive environments
    • Advanced rendering techniques
    • Exploration of assets and resources in the Unreal Engine Marketplace

Mastering Environment Concept Art

In the sixth month, you will embark on the journey to master environment concept art. This involves mastering the art of gathering references, creating grayscale sketches, working with grayscale values, rendering your concepts, adding intricate details, and perfecting the art of presenting your environment designs in a professional and captivating manner.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • ​Environment Concept Art
    • Expertise in reference gathering for environments
    • Proficiency in creating impactful grayscale sketches
    • Skillful management of grayscale values to define environmental aesthetics
    • Rendering of concept art to bring ideas to life
    • Detailed and polished presentation of environmental designs

Portfolio Project – Environment

The seventh month marks a significant milestone as you embark on your fourth portfolio project. Here, you will apply the skills and knowledge acquired over the past six months to create your unique and compelling environment. This project serves as a testament to your growth and capabilities as a 3D artist.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Portfolio Project – Environment
    • Comprehensive planning and conceptualization Detailed modeling and texturing
    • Blueprint design and implementation for interactive elements
    • Strategic world building and scene composition
    • Advanced rendering techniques for breathtaking visuals

Portfolio Project – Environment Continues

The eighth month continues to focus on your portfolio project, providing you with the time and resources to refine and polish your environment creation further. This extended period ensures that your project reaches the highest level of quality and detail. Here is where you are going to showcase your skills in front of the world.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • ​Portfolio Project – Environment
    • Ongoing development and refinement of your portfolio piece
    • Creative enhancements to elevate your work
    • Fine-tuning of rendering for exceptional visual impact
    • Revisions from the Mentors
    • Portfolio publishing
    • Promoting your portfolio

Cropout – A Game Development Showcase

Cropout represents a significant milestone in your journey, offering you the opportunity to delve into the realm of game development. This top-down Casual RTS game sample project showcases best practices for creating games designed for cross-platform release. With its family-friendly farming style, Cropout is suitable for beginners, educators, and anyone eager to learn the intricacies of this genre.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Game Development Showcase
    • Implementation of UE5 features for cross-platform gameplay
    • Integration of a common UI for seamless user experience
    • Enhanced input systems for responsive controls
    • Mastery of geometry scripting for game mechanics

Game Development Continues

The tenth month is dedicated to furthering your expertise in game development. You’ll explore advanced aspects of UE5, including the integration of custom assets, optimization techniques, and packaging for mobile and PC platforms. This comprehensive training ensures that you are well-prepared to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Game Development Continues
    • Integration of custom assets for unique gameplay elements
    • Advanced utilization of common UI components
    • Enhancement of input systems for improved gameplay mechanics
    • Optimization strategies for optimal performance on various platforms

Mini Game With Own Environment and Characters

In the eleventh month, you will leverage your accumulated knowledge and skills to create a mini-game set within the environment you’ve crafted. This project allows you to apply your artistic and technical expertise to the development of a captivating interactive experience.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • ​​Mini Game Development
    • Integration of your own environment into the mini-game
    • Integration of your own Characters
    • Development of engaging gameplay elements
    • Implementation of game mechanics tailored to your artistic vision

Culmination and Portfolio Mastery

The twelfth and final month of Year 2 signifies a momentous achievement in your artistic journey. This is where you bring all your skills, creativity, and dedication together to finalize your mini-game project. As you perfect your game, you also lay the foundation for your professional portfolio. Each element is meticulously crafted to showcase your exceptional talent, whether it be in character modeling, environment design, or game development.

Your portfolio is not just a collection of artworks; it is your passport to the international stage. With the guidance of our mentors and instructors, you will learn the art of promoting your portfolio to a global audience. Your remarkable artistry will shine brightly, capturing the attention of industry professionals, potential clients, and fellow artists.

This month’s culmination sets the stage for your specialization journey in Year 3, where you will venture into the world of 3D cinematic creation, crafting your unique and captivating short films. Your portfolio becomes the launchpad for your specialized path, ensuring you stand out as a 3D artist with immense potential and creativity.

 FRAMEWORKS

  • Portfolio Mastery
    • Finalization and perfection of your mini-game project
    • Crafting a captivating and diverse portfolio
    • Promotion and international exposure of your portfolio
    • Receipt of certifications and diplomas
  • Year 3 Specialization & Advisory
    • Personalized mentoring to help define your specialization path
    • Guidance on selecting sectors and styles that align with your talents and interests
    • Preparation for the specialized journey into 3D cinematic creation

Academy Graduates’ Portfolio

See what you can do after completing our Academy

WHY CHOOSE M3DS?

Many artists in the 3D learning journey often struggle with where to start and which software to focus on, which can lead to losing their passion for this creative industry. This can result in taking courses that do not cater to their individual needs, leading to confusion and a lack of direction. At M3DS Academy, we understand the importance of structured programs in achieving success.

Our structure programs provide a solid foundation that leads to success stories. As evidence of our success, we are proud to be ranked among the Top 50 Creative Media and Entertainment Schools and Colleges worldwide in 2022 based on our students’ portfolios. Join us, and let us guide you on your journey to success in 3D learning.

Discover the
Perfect Financing Solutions for You

Financial constraints should never hinder your access to our academy. Select a payment plan that aligns with your needs. If you’re unsure which payment method works best for you, consult with us and find the most suitable financing solution.

Enjoy the flexibility of spreading your payments over a maximum of 12 monthly installments without any additional fees.

Next enrollment date: January, 2024

Apply for the Academy Year 2

Ready to take the next step? The application process is simple and our Admissions Team is happy to answer any questions you might have. Fill out the application form and we will contact you to schedule a meeting.

EXPLORE

Academy Year 1

Academy Year 3

Academy Year 4

Academy Programs