Is This You?
You’re curious about 3D Animation. You’ve seen amazing animations and wondered: "I want to do that. But where do I start?”
Maybe you:
- Feel overwhelmed by all the tools and tutorials
- Want a structured way to learn and feedback, not just random YouTube videos.
- Are looking to apply to animation educations or try your hand at freelance animation gigs.
Then this online animation course is made for you.
What You’ll Learn & Achieve
By the end of this course, you’ll:
- Master the use of Blender.
- Understand how 3D animation works, from principles to advanced body mechanics and beyond.
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Create an animation portfolio that open doors, whether you're applying to animation schools or taking on your first freelance job.
Who's Behind The Course
Erik C. Schmidt
Erik brings over 30 years of experience from the world’s top studios — including Disney, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and ILM. He’s animated on some of the most iconic titles in the industry: Bolt, Black Panther, Prince of Egypt, Sharktale, and many more.
With decades of experience mentoring animators on high-stakes productions, Erik developed this course to give beginners a solid, studio-ready foundation built on the same principles used in feature film pipelines.
Philip Piaget
Philip is your instructor throughout the course. A graduate of The Animation Workshop and Vancouver Film School, he’s directed the award-winning short film Reverie and worked across commercials, VR, and TV animation at studios like Atomic Cartoons, Global Mechanic, and Makropol.
With over 11 years in the field, Philip is passionate about helping new animators understand the why behind every movement, and helping them build the confidence to animate creatively and independently.
What’s Inside the Course
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01. Introduction
Goal: Kickstart your learning journey with a clear overview of the course structure and what you'll achieve.
Outcome: Understand how the course is structured and what skills and outputs to expect from each stage.01 - Video Lesson (02:24) 01 - Lesson Notes (07:18) -
02. Animation Principles
Goal: Grasp the foundational 12 principles of animation and develop the vocabulary to discuss and evaluate animated movement.
Outcome: Ability to identify, describe, and apply core principles like Timing, Squash & Stretch, and Arcs in basic animation.
02 - Video Lesson (06:11) 02 - Lesson Notes (20:32) -
03. Blender Overview
Goal: Get introduced to Blender’s interface, tools, and the animation pipeline.
Outcome: Navigate Blender with confidence and understand its core tools and animation workflow.03 - Video Lesson (21:01) 03 - Lesson Notes (10:07) -
04. The Bouncing Ball
Goal: Apply fundamental animation principles through a basic bouncing ball exercise.
Outcome: Create your first animated shot using Timing, Spacing, and Squash & Stretch.04 - Video Lesson (28:41) 04 - Lesson Notes (11:40) 04 - Assignment -
05. 3 Bouncing Balls
Goal: Expand on the previous exercise with three distinct objects to explore physical properties and Arcs.
Outcome: Animate three balls that demonstrate differing weight and motion styles.05 - Video Lesson (46:55) 05 - Lesson Notes (07:10) 05 - Assignment -
06. Forward Kinematics
Goal: Learn to animate using Forward Kinematics with a basic character rig.
Outcome: Animate a simple character demonstrating mechanical movement using FK.
06 - Video Lesson (33:41) 06 - Lesson Notes (07:33) 06 - Assignment -
07. Inverse Kinematics
Goal: Learn how Inverse Kinematics differs from FK, and apply it to the same rig.
Outcome: Create a second animation showing control of the rig through IK principles.07 - Video Lesson (35:11) 07 - Lesson Notes (05:25) 07 - Assignment -
08. Basic Body Mechanics
Goal: Transition to a human rig and apply animation principles to body motion and weight.
Outcome: Produce an animation that communicates believable human motion and weight distribution.08 - Video Lesson (01:09:45) 08 - Lesson Notes (14:12) 08 - Assignment -
09. The Walk Cycle
Goal: Master the classic looped walk cycle using a humanoid rig.
Outcome: Create a clean, repeating walk animation that demonstrates rhythm and balance.09 - Video Lesson (58:54) 09 - Lesson Notes (15:06) 09 - Assignment -
10. The Run Cycle
Goal: Build on the walk cycle by adding intensity and speed through a run cycle.
Outcome: Animate a dynamic run loop with clear poses and timing.10 - Video Lesson (50:04) 10 - Lesson Notes (13:45) 10 - Assignment -
11. Advanced Body Mechanics
Goal: Animate with greater energy and complexity, using principles like Anticipation, Overlap, and Follow-through.
Outcome: Create a physical, expressive animation that demonstrates dynamic movement and nuanced control.11 - Video Lesson (54:31) 11 - Lesson Notes (15:18) 11 - Assignment -
12. Hierarchies & Constraints
Goal: Learn how to organize and control object relationships with parenting and constraints.
Outcome: Apply structured rig setups in animation scenarios that require control linking.12 - Video Lesson (45:09) 12 - Lesson Notes (12:56) 12 - Assignment -
13. Pantomime & Performance
Goal: Explore non-verbal acting in animation to convey emotion and personality.
Outcome: Animate a character using body language and posing to communicate narrative or emotional beats.13 - Video Lesson (01:05:02) 13 - Lesson Notes (16:25) 13 - Assignment -
14. Dialogue & Lip Sync
Goal: Synchronize animation with dialogue to enhance character performance.
Outcome: Create a short lip-sync shot that combines voice, timing, and gesture for convincing performance.14 - Video Lesson (01:37:35) 14 - Lesson Notes (10:36) 14 - Assignment Certificate of Completion
Why This Course Works
BUILT FOR BEGINNERS
No prior experience? No problem. We start from the ground up and build your skills through structured, accessible lessons.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
Benefit from the expertise of our seasoned instructors who bring decades of real-world experience right to you. With mentorship, you won’t be learning alone, you’ll be improving with guidance.
HANDS-ON APPROACH
The course includes practical assignments and projects that not only boost your understanding but also contribute to a portfolio that showcases your skills to potential employers.
JOIN ANIMATION COMMUNITY
Enrolling in this course connects you with a network of fellow animation enthusiasts. Exchange ideas, receive feedback, and be part of a supportive community that fosters personal and professional development.
Testimonials
The course is easy to follow, even for beginners, and I’m learning a lot. I appreciate the step-by-step exercises that build on each other. My feedback sessions with Phillip have been extremely helpful, offering in-depth advice and useful notes. Although I’m new to 3D animation and Blender, any challenges have been easy to overcome. Overall, I’m very satisfied and excited for the next lessons!
Ida Marie
Animation Student
START YOUR ANIMATION JOURNEY WITH CADA
Basic
€3990
What you get:
- Lifetime Full Course Access
- Animation Community
Advanced
€94916
All Basic features, plus:
- Classroom Feedback Sessions
- Support and Q&A
Pro
€1,199149
All Advanced features, plus:
- 1:1 Mentorship
Basic
Advanced
Pro
Features
7-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
Frequently Asked Questions
What's your refund policy?
CADA's 7 Days Money-Back Guarantee for the 3D Animation Essentials Online Course
At CADA, we're committed to providing high-quality education and a rewarding learning experience. We understand the importance of making the right choice for your education, and we want you to feel confident and satisfied with your decision to join our 3D Animation Essentials Online Course.
Basic Tier
Refund Eligibility: If you feel the course material alone isn't meeting your expectations, you can request a full refund within the first 7 days from the course start date.
Advanced and Pro Tiers
Engagement Requirement: Since these tiers involve more interactive elements, we ask that you participate in at least one feedback session or mentorship meeting before deciding if the course is right for you.
Refund Eligibility: You can request a refund within the first 7 days from the course start date if you find the additional support not as beneficial as expected.
General Terms for All Tiers
Participation: You should have completed at least 25% of the course content, giving you a fair overview of the course.
Refund Process: Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the request and will be processed via the original payment method. Contact us for a refund.
Do I get individual feedback on my hand-in assignments?
Students enrolled in the "Pro" tier will benefit from individual feedback through one-on-one mentorship, ensuring their individual needs and goals are met.
Students enrolled in the "Advanced" tier will have the opportunity to receive feedback in a virtual classroom environment. Here, the instructor will review a selection of hand-in assignments, providing valuable insights and guidance to the entire group.
Who is this course designed for?
The 3D Animation Essentials course is perfect for beginners in digital arts, as well as for those with some experience in CGI who want to deepen their skills in animation. It's ideal for anyone passionate about bringing characters and stories to life through animation.
Do I need any prior experience or knowledge?
No prior experience is required. The course begins with basic concepts, making it accessible to beginners, but also progresses to more advanced techniques that will benefit those with some background in digital arts.
What software and tools will I need?
You'll need access to a computer capable of running Blender, which is a free and open-source 3D creation suite.
How long is the course, and is it self-paced?
The course is self-paced and the time required to complete the course varies based on your skill level and the effort you invest in your assignments. There are no strict deadlines, but each lesson includes a hand-in assignment that you can receive feedback on by enrolling in the Advanced or Pro tier.
By submitting just one assignment per week, you can anticipate completing the course in approximately 8 weeks.
For those who are highly motivated and able to complete 2-3 assignments weekly, you can accelerate your journey to becoming an animator and finish the course in just 4 weeks.
Is there any certification provided at the end of the course?
Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion, which can be a valuable addition to your professional portfolio.
Still Not Sure if You're Ready?
In just a few short lessons, you'll get hands-on with Blender, understand the basics of 3D, and see if animation is right for you.
It's completely free. And it's the perfect way to warm up before diving into the full course.