How to become a 3D artist in a year and build a career in game development or cinema

Who is a 3D artist and how is he different from an illustrator

In the digital sphere, there are many professions related to the creation of a visual. But if graphic designers, illustrators or 2D artists need to know how to get started painting, in particular, be able to build a composition and draw sketches, a 3D artist can enter the profession without them. His task is not to come up with a picture or draw an illustration according to the terms of reference, but to create a realistic 3D model from a photograph, finished drawing or drawing. This could be an item, character, or environment that will later appear in a game, movie, or commercial.

A 3D artist is both a technical and creative profession. Such a specialist should be proficient in software for modeling, texturing and rendering, understand principles of animation, and in addition, to know the anatomy of humans and animals, to feel the proportions, colors and forms. Therefore, the years spent in the art school will definitely not be superfluous.

The work of a 3D artist is not limited to modeling alone. Its tasks also include:

1. Rigging. Placement of a system of controllers that will control the movements of the 3D model. These are a kind of virtual bones and muscles, with the help of which it is easy to achieve the desired emotions and actions by simply pulling the desired “lever”.
2. Texturing. At this stage, the 3D model turns from a faceless surrogate into a colorful, original and pleasing to the eye.
3. Animation. Setting the model in motion.
4. rendering. Turning a 3D scene into a photorealistic image. Here you need to preserve the beauty of the picture and add natural chiaroscuro.
5. post-processing. Adding effects to the rendered scene.

If a 3D artist is good at all of the above and is able to create all the models for a project by himself, he is called a 3D generalist. But this is not always the case. More often, specialists choose one direction in which they develop and work. For example, the 3D Texture Artist only deals with texturing.

Another option for gradation within the profession is by the nature of the models: an artist who creates only people is a 3D Character Artist; only locations and environmental details - 3D Environment Artist; only complex mechanisms - 3D Hard Surface Artist. For large projects, several narrowly focused 3D artists are often hired - it will not be easy for one person to do everything.

But even if you do not plan to become a 3D generalist, it is better to understand all the processes before starting work. This will allow you to better understand the profession and expand the scope for finding a job. The course "Profession 3D artist» by Skillbox. In 12 months, you will gain the skills that will allow you to apply for the position of a junior specialist. By the way, the course is not only suitable for beginner 3D modelers: it is a great way to expand career opportunities for 2D artists, web designers and illustrators.

Learn more about the course

Where do 3D artists work and how much do they earn?

Such specialists will come in handy wherever 3D graphics are needed. This is mainly game dev, cinema and advertising. But sometimes the services of 3D artists are also used when designing mobile applications and websites, if necessary. make a virtual assistant, add voluminous animated interface details or cute tutorials video.

You can work both independently and in a large team, for example, in a CG studio. Salaries in the profession are high: even novice specialists receive an average of 70,000 rubles per month, and experienced clients pay3D Artist Jobs / HeadHunter and more than 150,000 rubles. And so not only in Russia: for example, in the USA the average year salary3D Artist Salaries / Glassdoor 3D artist - more than $86,000 per year (before taxes).

3D graphics market annually growsGlobal 3D Animation Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report / Research and Markets and, according to Research and Markets, will continue to rise, so you don’t have to worry about demand. However, there is a lot of competition, so it will be unrealistic to find orders without a cool portfolio. But this is not a reason to give up: you can get a gallery of your work already during training. For 12 months in Skillbox you will create more than 20 works of varying complexity and focus that will convince customers of your skill.

In addition, an online university will help you quickly find a job. Skillbox has a career center where an HR specialist works with each student: together you create a resume and portfolio, select attractive vacancies and prepare for interview. The main thing is that if after the training there is no job, Skillbox will return the money.

I want to work in 3D

What future artists need to know

To begin with, it is important to master a number of programs, acquire a set of useful skills and understand the features of creating models for different areas. All this is in course from Skillbox. It includes over 140 modules and 700 video tutorials prepared by practicing 3D artists.

After completing the course, you will learn:

• create, animate and render models in Autodesk Maya, Blender and Houdini;
• sculpt characters in ZBrush;
• create textures in Substance Painter;
• work with procedural logic;
• correctly convey the anatomy of people and animals, simulate realistic objects and locations;
• adjust lighting to faithfully depict light and shadows;
• process in Photoshop - work with masks and layers, retouch and create collages, for example, for a movie poster;
• do baking - transfer of complex graphics to static ones for optimization;
• create procedural assets - scripts that will put the models into action.

Practical exercises will allow you to master the entire amount of information - they make up a large part of the course. You will get acquainted with popular tools for creating 3D models and understand how to achieve the desired effect from programs. At the same time, you won’t have to spend all your free time studying - five or even three hours a week will be enough. The course does not have a clear schedule: study in the morning, afternoon or night - when there is a free minute. By the way, you will have access to all the lessons forever: you can refresh your knowledge at any time.

How to start studying for free

There is no tuition fee for the first three months in Skillbox. Not necessary at all. You can safely sign up for the course, even if there are no savings now. Then you can take installments and gradually deposit money in equal shares. By the way, the whole courseProfession 3D artist” costs as much as three salaries of a junior specialist. If you start working in a new specialty in parallel with your studies, the costs can be paid off even before you receive a course completion certificate from Skillbox.

In addition, 3D art students get access to the GameBox game development community, where you can view useful materials and attend workshops, work with real game studios and develop your own game alone or in team. And after completing three practical tasks, Skillbox will give you a year's access to the online platform for learning English "KESPA".

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