What You Will Learn
This comprehensive course guides you through the fundamental techniques of 3D character animation. Building from the classical animation principles, you will learn how to make your creations come to life through true and tested workflows.
Watch the video to learn more!
The People Behind The Course
Philip Piaget
The course teaching is brought to you by, Philip Piaget who is a filmmaker, animator, visual artist, and a graduate of The Animation Workshop. He has directed the award-winning short film “Reverie” and previously studied Classical Animation at the Vancouver Film School.
Philip has over 11 years of experience and worked at numerous studios like Global Mechanic, Atomic Cartoons, Might and Delight, Makropol, and TinDrum for all kinds of animated projects from commercials to virtual reality.
Erik C. Schmidt
The course has been developed by industry veteran, Erik C. Schmidt who has been working in the animation industry for over 30 years predominantly on theatrical feature films for Disney, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures and ILM.
Erik's credits include Bolt, Meet the Robinsons, Black Panther, Chicken Little, The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, and Sharktale, and many other notable titles.
Module-by-Module Breakdown
01. Introduction
Embark on your learning journey with our course introduction.
| 01 - Video Lesson (02:24) | |
| 01 - Lesson Notes (07:18) |
02. Animation Principles
Delve into the 12 core principles of animation and familiarise yourself with industry terminology.
| 02 - Video Lesson (06:11) | |
| 02 - Lesson Notes (20:32) |
03. Blender Overview
Get introduced to Blender, learning its interface, tools, shortcuts, and the animation workflow.
| 03 - Video Lesson (21:01) | |
| 03 - Lesson Notes (10:07) |
04. The Bouncing Ball
Dive into the fundamentals of animation with this beginner-friendly lesson. Here, we'll explore the core principles of animation through a straightforward exercise, focusing on Timing, Spacing, and the classic Stretch & Squash technique.
| 04 - Video Lesson (28:41) | |
| 04 - Lesson Notes (11:40) | |
| 04 - Assignment |
05. 3 Bouncing Balls
| 05 - Video Lesson (46:55) | |
| 05 - Lesson Notes (07:10) | |
| 05 - Assignment |
06. Forward Kinematics
In this lesson, we will learn about motion structures, and work with the first type: Forward Kinematics. We will also be making an animation with a simple character rig based on Pixar's Luxo Lamp.
| 06 - Video Lesson (33:41) | |
| 06 - Lesson Notes (07:33) | |
| 06 - Assignment |
07. Inverse Kinematics
| 07 - Video Lesson (35:11) | |
| 07 - Lesson Notes (05:25) | |
| 07 - Assignment |
08. Basic Body Mechanics
In this lesson, we will begin working with a human character rig. We will learn some basics about how the body moves with a simple exercise. We will learn how to apply the animation principles to demonstrate one of the most important elements to create believable animation: weight.
| 08 - Video Lesson (01:09:45) | |
| 08 - Lesson Notes (14:12) | |
| 08 - Assignment |
09. The Walk Cycle
In this lesson, we will learn how to work with animation in a loop and perform one of the most important actions in animation: The Walk Cycle.
| 09 - Video Lesson (58:54) | |
| 09 - Lesson Notes (15:06) | |
| 09 - Assignment |
10. The Run Cycle
| 10 - Video Lesson (50:04) | |
| 10 - Lesson Notes (13:45) | |
| 10 - Assignment |
11. Advanced Body Mechanics
In this lesson, we will learn how to create broader and more energetic animations incorporating the concepts of dynamic posing, line of action and gesture. We will also place special focus on the principle of Anticipation, Overshoot, Overlapping Action and Follow-through.
| 11 - Video Lesson (54:31) | |
| 11 - Lesson Notes (15:18) | |
| 11 - Assignment |
12. Hierarchies & Constraints
In this lesson, we will learn how to influence and drive objects with others through a Parent-Child hierarchy or through constraints.
| 12 - Video Lesson (45:09) | |
| 12 - Lesson Notes (12:56) | |
| 12 - Assignment |
13. Pantomime & Performance
In this lesson, we will begin to explore Acting for Animation. We will learn how to begin developing a character's performance through the use of body language.
| 13 - Video Lesson (01:05:02) | |
| 13 - Lesson Notes (16:25) | |
| 13 - Assignment |
14. Dialogue & Lip Sync
In this lesson, we will learn how to synchronize animation to sound to enhance our performances through lip sync.
| 14 - Video Lesson (01:37:35) | |
| 14 - Lesson Notes (10:36) | |
| 14 - Assignment | |
| Certificate of Completion |
Who Is The 3D Animation Essentials For?
- You're a beginner who wants to learn the secrets of 3D Animation.
- You're a trained artist who want to maintain your 3D Animation skills and get a fresh perspective on your work.
- You want to improve your portfolio with 3D Animations.
Why You Should Enrol
Learn from the best
Benefit from the expertise of seasoned professional Philip Piaget who bring real-world experience right to your screen.
Career advancement
The skills you acquire from this course are in high demand across various industries. Upon completion, you'll be equipped to pursue opportunities in film, gaming, advertising, and beyond.
Hands-on approach
We believe in learning by doing. 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 a community of like-minded animators
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 growth and innovation.START YOUR ANIMATION JOURNEY WITH CADA
Basic
€3690
What you get:
- Lifetime Full Course Access
- Animation Community
Advanced
€64916
All Basic features, plus:
- Classroom Feedback Sessions
- Support and Q&A
Pro
€1,229149
All Advanced features, plus:
- 1:1 Mentorship
Basic
Advanced
Pro
Features
YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW
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 10 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.